ARMAGH TO NEWRY GREENWAY
“Lissummon Greenway”
Linking two cities, this potential greenway would utilise the stunning LIssummon Tunnel for (one yard short of) a mile under the County Armagh countryside, with spectacular views over the Mournes and excellent connections to other greenway projects on both sides of the border.
ROUTE DETAILS
| Length | 28 kilometres |
| Estimate | £4.2 million |
| Timescale | 2026 to 2040 |
| Type | Former railway |
| Title | Great Northern Railway |
| Border area | Yes |
| Councils | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council |
| Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
Article: Lissumon Greenway (August 2016)
“A forgotten engineering treasure hidden in the countryside between Armagh and Newry could be the centrepiece of an amazing new greenway.
Exploring the Lissummon Tunnel above the Newry Canal with the Mourne Mountains as a backdrop offers a wonderful selling point on a 33km traffic-free pathway – repurposing an abandoned railway route steeped in a rich history, both tragic and inspirational.”
IMAGES
RESOURCES ELSEWHERE
Greenway proposal for Lissumon Tunnel (Newry.ie)
Tunnel part of exciting £5m Newry to Armagh greenway proposals (Newry Democrat)
Pioneering plans outlined for £5m Armagh to Newry Greenway project (Armagh i)
Exercise Explore Enjoy: A Strategic Plan for Greenways (Department for Infrastructure) PDF 2.8MB
Strategic Plan for Greenways Base Report (AECOM, Sustrans, DfI) PDF 15.7MB
GREENWAY PROJECTS WHICH INTERSECT
A 57km route through counties Armagh, Monaghan and Louth linking Armagh City with Keady, Castleblayney and Dundalk.
A 26km route from Armagh through Killylea, Tynan, Caledon and Glaslough on the way to Monaghan town.
A 15km route from Portadown along the former Great Northern Railway line, passing by Richhill, to Armagh City.
A former tramway from Bessbrook down the hill and under the Craigmore Viaduct, carrying today’s Belfast to Dublin train, into Newry City.
A 42km route linking the historic port of Newry with the working port at Greenore along Carlingford Lough shore all the way around to Dundalk.
A 29km towpath along the disused Newry Canal from Portadown through Scarva and Poyntzpass into Newry City.
A potential 10km traffic-free route alongside the A2 dual carriageway which was built on the former railway between Newry and Warrenpoint.
GET INVOLVED
Successful greenway projects are driven by the passion of local people. If you have an update to share, a story to tell about the history of the route or future of the Armagh to Newry Greenway (Lissummon Greenway), or if you want to submit a picture or video to this page, please get in contact.