Phase One of the Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway is now officially open, with a further phase to follow as the port is developed. It will also be linked to the Liffey through the Liffey-Tolka Project, which received approval in 2023.
Developed by the Dublin Port Company, the Tolka Estuary Greenway forms part of Fáilte Ireland’s Dublin Coastal Trail which runs from Skerries in the north to Killiney in the south, highlighting Dublin’s majestic coastline.
James Lawless, Minister of State for the Department of Transport, launched the new shared cycling and pedestrian route which joins EastPoint Business Park to the ferry terminals and runs along the perimeter of northern port lands reclaimed from the sea in the 1970s.
Cyclists and pedestrians can take in stunning new views of Dublin Bay and hear calls of the migratory birds that call the port home, including Brent Geese, Bar-Tailed Godwits and Common and Arctic Terns.
A collection of mature Pine, Willow and Sycamore trees are preserved along the route, alongside additional planting of over 200 large trees and over 5,000 smaller woodland trees and native wildflowers.
Ruby Richardson with her dog Amber enjoying a cycle on the new Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway. Pic: @DublinPortCo/Robbie Reynolds
“The Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway offers a new view of Dublin Bay, one of Ireland’s two UNESCO-designated biospheres, to cyclists, walkers and adventurers of all stripes. Anything we can do to encourage cycling and other forms of sustainable transport is a net benefit for our environment,” Minister Lawless said.
“I want to thank Dublin Port for their commitment to this project, which creates a sustainable link to the ferry terminals, preserves Dublin’s heritage as a Port-City and creates a brand new amenity for future generations to enjoy.”
The Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway also preserves the port’s rich history, with seating at the Greenway’s Discovery Points reusing granite from the Alexandra Basin dating back to the 19th century. These granite pieces were recovered under the first phase of Dublin Port’s master plan 2040.
Only a short distance from Clontarf, cyclists and pedestrians can access the Greenway at its EastPoint Business Park entrance, a short walk from the EastPoint stop on the N4 bus route. The route can also be accessed from the ferry terminals.
Liz Halpin, Head of Dublin at Fáilte Ireland said: “Dublin Port serves as a vital gateway for visitors to both Dublin and the entire country and the new greenway offers an exciting way for visitors to experience Dublin’s coastline on foot or by bike.
“It will be a fantastic addition to the Dublin Coastal Trail, which showcases the wealth of activities and experiences along Dublin’s coast to help encourage visitors to stay longer and have more immersive and meaningful experiences.
“The opportunity to link the stories of the port and associated heritage also provides a significant platform for new experience development, leveraging Dublin’s unique maritime past for visitors.”
The new 2km greenway offers spectacular views across Dublin Bay towards Clontarf and Bull Island. Pic: @DublinPortCo
Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive of Dublin Port, added: “The opening of the Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway is an exciting moment for the city.
“This Greenway lets cyclists from Dublin and further afield see Dublin Bay like never before, whether they’re taking the family out on a Sunday afternoon, walking the dog or cycling down to catch their ferry to Holyhead.”
Setting off from the EastPoint entrance, users of the Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway can travel through a woodland corridor. The expanse of the Bay opens up to cyclists at the first of the Greenway’s three ‘Discovery Points’ which include interpretive panels.
The Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway is a certified section of the Eurovelo 2 Capitals Route, a network of long-distance cycling routes which spans seven countries, six capital cities and two European seas.
The Greenway will also link Dublin Port to Athlone via the Royal Canal and Clontarf Greenways in Q2 2025, when works are completed on Phase 3 of the Royal Canal Greenway.
