Carrick bypass will have "transformative impact on the Northern and Western Region"

It's a hot topic at local government level and the importance of Leitrim's N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod bypass was discussed as part of a report outlining 33 infrastructure projects that would have "a transformative impact on the Northern and Western Region", at a breakfast briefing held in Dublin.

The report was discussed by a delegation from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) presented Government Ministers, TDs, Senators and Senior Government officials. 

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The assembly advocates for greater economic development of Leitrim as well as Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan.

The report, titled “Regional Infrastructure Priorities for the Northern and Western Region”, identifies the need for a minimum €9 billion in capital investment needed across the region’s transport, energy, education, water, and climate infrastructure. These are specifically for the projects that could be costed at the time, with other projects to be costed at a later date. These initiatives are designed to address significant infrastructure deficits, unlock economic potential, and advance climate resilience in Ireland’s most underfunded region."

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Other key projects discussed were the N17 Knock to Collooney road scheme (€600m) Donegal TEN-T Projects (€790m to €915m) and phases 2 and 3 of the Western Rail Corridor (€400–600 million), the Galway City Ring Road (€500 million to €1 billion) and investments at Ireland West Airport Knock.

Previously The Department of Transport has confirmed a funding allocation of €1.3 million for the bypass.

There is currently one crossing point of the River Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon via a narrow masonry arch bridge, dating from 1846. The section of the N4 under consideration passes through both rural and urban environments and is approximately 21km long, extending from Drumharlow townland north of Carrick-on-Shannon to Faulties townland south of Aghamore.

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The NWRA developed the report following extensive consultation with all nine local authorities in the region, along with key infrastructure agencies including Transport Infrastructure Ireland, EirGrid, Uisce Éireann, and Atlantic Technological University. The report will be transposed into a submission from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly on the review of the National Development Plan (NDP). The submission to the NDP will aim to ensure the Northern and Western Region, through the provision of critical infrastructure, is fully empowered to meet Ireland’s targets on housing, climate action, connectivity, and economic development.

The report on the Regional Infrastructure Priorities for the Northern and Western Region will be submitted as part of the NWRA’s submission to the NDP consultation, which is available here: https://www.nwra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NWRA-Briefing-Report-on-projects-for-NDP-review.pdf