Broadmeadow Greenway

What is the Broadmeadow Way?

Imagine being able to walk or cycle from Malahide Castle to Newbridge House in Donabate without sharing a busy road with cars. That is the big idea behind the Broadmeadow Way.

The planned route is about 6 kilometres long. It crosses the beautiful Broadmeadow Estuary and includes a new bridge beside the railway. When all the sections are finished, families, walkers and cyclists will have a scenic route linking two famous parks.

Quick facts

  • Places connected: Malahide and Donabate
  • Route: Malahide Demesne, the estuary and Newbridge Demesne
  • Who is building it: Fingal County Council with Iarnród Éireann
  • Support: Funding from the National Transport Authority

 

The problem: a brilliant shortcut in a very tricky place

A straight route across the estuary sounds simple—until engineers look closely at the site.

Challenge 1: Water on three sides

Parts of the route sit on railway causeways. A causeway is a raised path or road across wet ground or water. There is little room, tides change the water level, and heavy rain can make construction harder.

Challenge 2: Trains must keep moving

This is the first greenway of its kind planned on a live railway embankment in Ireland. “Live” means trains are still using the railway. Workers must stay safe, protect signalling equipment and avoid disrupting rail services.

Challenge 3: Wildlife needs protection

The estuary is both a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation. These are legal protections for important habitats and wildlife. Some work can happen only at certain times of year, so birds and other animals are disturbed as little as possible.

Challenge 4: One route, many different jobs

The bridge, railway causeways and paths on land each need different designs, skills and permissions. The project therefore has to be built in separate pieces rather than all at once.

Engineering challenge: How would you build a safe path beside moving trains, above tidal water and through a protected habitat?

Words to know

  • Estuary: where a river meets the sea.
  • Embankment: a raised bank carrying a road or railway.
  • Pre-cast: made in a factory before being brought to the site.
  • Habitat: the natural home of a plant or animal.

 

How the team is solving it

  1. Study the ground. Engineers investigated the soil and railway embankment before choosing designs.
  2. Split the project into sections. Specialist teams can tackle the bridge, causeways, Donabate paths and Malahide paths separately.
  3. Build a special bridge. A new 180-metre bridge was built over the weir. Thirteen pre-cast concrete spans were made elsewhere, delivered to the estuary and carefully lifted into place.
  4. Work around nature. Construction in the protected estuary is timed around seasonal environmental rules.
  5. Coordinate with the railway. Fingal County Council and Iarnród Éireann plan fencing, signalling changes, access and safe working beside the tracks.
  6. Connect the missing pieces. New paths on land and along the northern and southern causeways will join the bridge to Malahide and Donabate.

The bridge crossing was completed in summer 2024. Work on the other sections continues, with the current programme aiming to finish the whole route in early 2028.

 

1. Plan

Survey the ground, test ideas and gain permission. The route received planning permission in 2020.

2. Build

Install the estuary bridge, adapt the causeways and construct the paths on land—while protecting trains, tides and wildlife.

3. Connect

Join every section into one continuous route between Malahide Castle and Newbridge House.

 

Why will it matter?

  • Safer journeys: walkers and cyclists will have a route away from busy traffic.
  • Healthy travel: walking and cycling help keep hearts, lungs and muscles strong.
  • Cleaner air: choosing a bike or a walk for some trips can reduce car pollution.
  • A closer look at nature: people can enjoy estuary views while staying on a planned route.
  • Two great parks connected: Malahide Castle and Newbridge House will become part of one adventure.

Think like an engineer

Which was the hardest problem: water, trains, wildlife or joining all the sections? Explain your choice to a classmate. Then sketch one safety feature you would add to the greenway.