Introduction

Kilkenny County Council is currently in the early stages of developing a greenway between Woodstock Estate, near Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, and the South East Greenway at New Ross Co. Wexford. This project is funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). RPS have been appointed by Kilkenny County Council to provide multi-disciplinary consultancy services to progress the project through the design and planning stages, following Phases 1-4 of the TII Project Management Guidelines.

We are currently in Phase Two of the development (Options Selection).

Key Information

In Phase 1 (Concept and Feasibility), the first public consultation for the Woodstock to South Eas Greenway Link was held in February/March 2025 and displayed the Study Area for the project. Feedback from the first public consultation helped inform the identification of areas of interest and constraints, which in turn informed the development of route corridor options for the scheme.

The project is now in Phase 2 Options Selection, which involves the development and assessment of the route corridor options to identify a preferred route. 

Public Consultation No. 2 on the route corridor options took place between the 6th – 27th April 2026. We received stakeholder and public feedback, which is key to the success of the project.

Project Benefits

The proposed Greenway will promote sustainable economic growth within Inistioge, New Ross and surrounding local communities, through improved recreational amenities and connectivity, increased tourism potential, and a shift from car trips to active travel. By creating a safe route for pedestrians, cyclists and other users, the Greenway will encourage active travel and reduce reliance on cars, thereby lowering carbon emissions. Additionally, it will attract visitors to explore the scenic landscapes and serve as a link to existing recreational routes, such as the South East Greenway and Nore Valley Walks, and the numerous tourism attractions in the area. This will enhance Woodstock, Inistioge and New Ross, as key destinations for walking, cycling, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Increased Tourism

Increase in Active Travel

Reduced Carbon Emissions

Sustainable Economic Growth

Project Objectives

The key objectives of this project are to provide a greenway which is sustainable, accessible, safe, and attractive for locals and visitors. In achieving these objectives, the project will facilitate:

Transport User and Economic Benefits Support connectivity and economic growth in Inistioge, New Ross and surrounding communities.
Social Enhance social inclusion and promote healthier communities in Inistioge, New Ross and elsewhere along the route.
Safety Provide safe and accessible infrastructure, which improves safety and security for walkers, cyclists and other greenway users.
Accessibility Promote modal shift and connectivity/accessibility to existing amenities, services and facilities.
Climate Change Contributes to the offsetting/reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and to the robustness and resilience to negative climate change effects.
Local Environment Increase public appreciation of the natural environment and local heritage, while protecting and enhancing natural assets and biodiversity.
Land Use Support and facilitate the implementation of sustainable transport policies and increase connectivity between Inistioge, New Ross and other locations in the wider region.
Best Practice Follow the Code of Best Practice National and Regional Greenways to maximise the use of State-owned lands and minimise potential impacts on privately-owned lands, where the project objectives can be satisfactorily achieved.