Kildare's Blueway to open in early 2026

AFTER a six year wait, it has been confirmed that a 46km stretch of the Blueway, a canal path for cycling and walking along the Grand Canal from Robertstown to Athy, will be completed by the early months of next year.

This was confirmed by Waterways Ireland in a response to a query from TD for Kildare North Aidan Farrelly.

The work - which began in 2020 - on the almost €6m project will finish in the first quarter of 2026.

After five years of work, significant sections of the Blueway are already complete, opening up the canal bank for walkers and cyclists – and specifically not motorised transport.

The Blueways have been designed to enhance recreational infrastructure and deliver meaningful benefits to local communities.

Waterways Ireland said that once complete, the Blueways will serve as catalyst for local economic development, support community wellbeing, and improve access to high-quality, nature-based experiences.

The news was welcomed by Deputy Farrelly who said he was looking forward to the completion of the Blueway.

“I’m also looking forward to the completion of the route from Robertstown to Sallins, and all the sections from there back into Dublin that are incomplete,” he said.

“All over the country where Greenways and Blueways have been established, there has been an increase in prosperity increased interaction by tourists and locals alike.

“And - research shows - very often they will open up commuting opportunities which can take numerous people out of their cars and off our roads.”

Blueways and Greenways have generally become extremely popular as quiet, safe locations for exercise or contemplation, and really boomed during the Covid lockdown.

Already a rambler can walk from Maynooth to the Connacht side of the Shannon completely off-road.

Very soon this option will be available to stroll from Robertstown to St Mullin in the exact same, unmotorised fashion.