An announcement by Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe that he has no plans to extend CIÉ's rail service from Athenry to Tuam will have disappointed, if not surprised, campaigners for the reopening of a western rail corridor connecting Limerick to Sligo. When it became clear in November 2013 that EU funding would not be forthcoming for this project, it was quietly mothballed. Mr Donohoe has identified his priority as maintaining the existing rail network.
CIÉ has opposed the reopening of a Claremorris/Limerick passenger service that it closed on economic grounds in 1976. It is even less enthusiastic about reinstating an onward link from Claremorris to Collooney in Sligo. Despite that, a commitment was given by a previous government to reopen the western corridor as part of a grandiose €34 billion transport plan. The recession and funding cutbacks may have killed that political promise but a reasonable argument exists for further development when resources allow.
Opening a commuter link from Tuam to Galway, via Athenry, could make commercial sense, provided modern rolling stock and attractive on-line fares are available. Last year, improvements in services on the Athenry/Ennis section of the line saw passenger numbers increase by almost 80 per cent. Greater difficulties exist in relation to the Claremorris/Collooney element of the project. This line has been closed for a much longer period and parts of the 70 km stretch have become overgrown and been "acquired" by farmers and others. It would be in the public interest to protect this historic resource, possibly through the establishment of a long-distance cycle or walkway. Such development would not exclude an eventual reopening of the line and would protect its unity against piecemeal acquisition by private individuals. Mr Donohoe is not just Minister for Transport. His brief includes Tourism. The development of a cycle/walkway in this part of a largely neglected West could provide an important tourist attraction, if marketed in conjunction with the Greenway and the Wild Atlantic Way.