Transport Infrastructure Ireland published a new National Cycle Network Plan for Ireland on 10th January 2024. The Plan sets out how the country will criss-crossed with 3,500 km of safe, high quality and inviting cycle routes, linking over 200 cities, towns and villages and up to 2.8 million people nationally.

The NCN is composed of 85 corridors, integrating existing and planned greenways and other cycling infrastructure such as the Eurovelo routes, as well as an extensive new network of safe cycle routes along existing roads. It will also link to destinations such as transport hubs, centres of education, employment, leisure and tourist destinations, making it easier and safer for people throughout the country to choose cycling as part of their daily activities. The aim is that 80% of households and nearly 90% of jobs will be located within 5 km of the network.

In Co. Monaghan, routes to be developed include:

• the Ulster Canal Greenway from Clones through Monaghan town and onwards to Middletown and Armagh
• Clones – Castleblayney- Carrickmacross
• Carrickmacross to Dundalk

Plans are already well advanced on the Ulster Canal Greenway, with the Monaghan to Smithboro section being submitted for planning shortly, and the Clones to Smithboro section under site investigation. It is hoped to proceed with the Monaghan to Middletown section before the end of 2024.

An initial feasibility study has been completed for a greenway between Clones and Castleblayney, and a redesign and upgrading of the Monaghan Way between Castleblayney and Inniskeen is underway.

A rural cycling trail connecting Kingscourt and Carrickmacross was launched in 2023, and will help to connect the Monaghan routes to the Meath networks through the cycling infrastructure coming from Navan through Nobber to Kingscourt. These routes are not included in the NCN.

Connectivity with Northern Ireland has been built in to Co. Monaghan’s network since 2014, when Council reps engaged with the consultation stages of the Northern Ireland Cycle Network Strategy. The Ulster Canal Greenway is included in the Northern Ireland strategy as a strategic route across central Ulster.

You can download a copy of the new NCN here