LAST UPDATE | 21 Nov 2023

THE GOVERNMENT HAS approved plans to advance the construction of the Adare Bypass in Co Limerick ahead of the Ryder Cup in 2027.

The 2027 edition of the biennial men’s golf competition between Europe and the United States will be held at Adare Manor.

The Adare Bypass is one element of the Limerick to Foynes Project, a 33-kilometre road connecting Limerick to the port of Foynes.

This will provide a motorway upgrade to the N21 Limerick to Kerry route, as well as connecting the Port of Foynes to the motorway network.

Around €150 million will be invested in delivering the 7-kilometre Adare Bypass, which the Department of Transport said will “remove unnecessary through traffic from Adare town and eliminate a major regional point of congestion on the national road network”.

Gridlocks around Adare have been a longstanding issue in the mid-west, but judicial reviews were withdrawn earlier this year, clearing the way for development.

Limerick Chamber has previously cited the need for the project ahead of the Ryder Cup being held at Adare Manor in September 2027.

The decision was made to bring forward construction of the Adare Bypass section of the project to assist with traffic management during the busy Ryder Cup period in 2027.

Speaking today, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said that “Adare will see huge benefits” from the bypass once it is complete.

“There will be less congestion and noise, air quality will be better, it will be easier for people to get in and out of their own town, it will be much safer and there will be improvements to green areas and shared spaces, making it an even more attractive town to live and work in,” said Ryan.

He added that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will be working closely with Limerick City and County Council and other agencies and stakeholders to “do everything they can to open the bypass in line with this timeline”.

Minister of State Jack Chambers also welcomed the announcement and said it “represents an important investment in the road network”.

Elsewhere, Limerick TD and Fianna Fáil Minister of State Niall Collins said the fast-tracking of the Adare bypass will transform the Co Limerick town ahead of hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027.

He added that “traffic congestion in the town will be dramatically improved once the bypass is completed”.  

“As we prepare in Limerick and Adare for the Ryder Cup in 2027, huge recourses will have to be spent,” said Collins.

“And this is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to making these resources available.

“Almost 20,000 vehicles will be removed from the village of Adare every day once it’s operational so it’s hugely welcome that government is stepping up the plate when it comes to preparing for the Ryder Cup.” 

-With additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper