Newcastle Woods Trail and Car Park Enhancement

Supporting Active Living in Longford 

The Newcastle Woods Walking Trail, completed in 2020, is Longford's most visited outdoor amenity, attracting over 200,000 users in just four years. To support this growing demand and improve accessibility, Longford County Council completed a new car park in July 2025, alongside extensive repairs to the trail following Storm Éowyn. 

This project was funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), with match funding provided by Longford County Council, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing rural recreational infrastructure. 

A Broader Vision for Connectivity and Wellbeing 

These projects include a 1.8km off-road walkway and cycleway linking the Royal Canal Greenway to Newcastle Woods and Ballymahon. It supports:

• Healthy Ireland objectives by encouraging active lifestyles in nature
• Tourism and economic development by drawing Greenway users into Ballymahon
• Environmental sustainability through low-impact infrastructure 
• Community wellbeing by providing safe, inclusiveve access to the outdoors 

Driven by community input, supported by Coillte, Center Parcs, and local landowners, this project reflects Longford's commitment to building a healthier, more connected, and inclusive future.