When CIE were about to abandon the North Kerry line (Limerick to Tralee) we formed the Limerick and Kerry Railway Society and published the case for retention in 1986 The Limerick and Kerry Railway: Inventory and Prospect edited by Dr. Patrick J. O’Connor. We had dreams of great developments on the Shannon Estuary.
We then fully supported the plan commissioned by Shannon Development of Sustrans Bristol Report on the Greenway 1989.
During this period our aspiration was to be the first and longest Greenway in Ireland 53 miles, Tralee to Ballingrane Junction near Rathkeale.
We now had formed ourselves into the Great Southern Trail Greenway development group.
Unfortunately, Shannon Development pulled out of the project due to lack of co-operation from some adjoining landowners.
For 26 years the GST Voluntary Group managed to develop the Greenway from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale under license from CIE, around 2013 the GST handed the project over to Limerick County Council, who completed the section to the Kerry Border.
Liam O’Mahony of Newcastlewest steered the GST as Chairman of the hard-working voluntary group and director and successfully managed cooperation from adjoining landowners in West Limerick, under a work scheme.
We do appreciate a lot work remains to be done to get the Greenway onwards to Tralee, but let’s hope that the success of this section into North Kerry will speed the day.
We acknowledge the high standard of work carried out by Limerick and Kerry County Council.