The proposal for the Johnstown Castle Recreation and Nature Trail (Murrintown to Piercestown Trial) has been developed and is now progressing to the Part 8 planning process.
The development will consist of:
· Recreation & Nature Trail: Construct a 3m wide shared cycle and pedestrian off-road trail from Murrintown Community Centre to Londis Ship Carpark in Piercestown. The trail would be 2.2km gravel path plus 300m of roadside path with a 27m long prefabricated footbridge across the Assaly River at the southwest corner of Johnstown Castle Estate. The trail will avail of existing parking spaces at Murrintown and Piercestown Villages, the project will provide solid noise wall, secure paladine fencing, stockproof fencing and gates, culverts, bollard lighting, CCTV, entrance piers and trail, heritage & ecological signage.
· The trail includes the construction of two pedestrian crossings at Murrintown School car park / set down area.
· The development site is located in the townlands of Kildavin Lower, Murrintown Lower, Twentyacres, Johnstown, knock, Fortyacres and Piercestown Co Wexford.
As part of the development of the proposals, Rosslare Municipal District held an information evening on Monday 31st August 2026, at Piercestown Community Hub, providing members of the public with an opportunity to view the proposed plans, meet with members of the project team and provide feedback on the proposed trail. The link to the plans on display at the public information evening is here :Proposed Johnstown Castle Estate Recreation & Nature Trail (Murrintown to Piercestown Trail).pdf
A questionnaire was circulated at the event to capture feedback from attendees on the proposed amenity, its potential benefits to the area and anticipated usage.
The following amendments / additions were made following the public consultation:
- Additional fauna passes included at openings in the southern boundary wall
- Footbridge floor lighting reduced to one side and directed inward towards the solid screen railing to prevent light spill at the Assaly River
- Bollard lighting within 30m of the river replaced with ground surface lighting directed towards the solid screens to prevent light spill
- Arborist and ecologists to be involved with setting out of the trail prior to and during construction to limit the impact on trees, and to advise on construction methods adjacent to trees
- Ecologist to be involved in reviewing the lighting specification and selection of lighting controls, light fittings and lamp type
- Arborist to be engaged to advise on the removal of alien species and felling of unsafe trees along the proposed corridor
- Ecologist engaged to carry out a Bat survey Report which include preliminary observations of badger and otter.
In addition to the consultation displays and information boards, a project video was made available to the public. The video, incorporating aerial footage of the project area, was shown during the public consultation event and presented by the District Engineer. It provided attendees with a visual representation of the proposed trail alignment, the surrounding landscape and the overall route, helping to enhance understanding of the project and its objectives.
Video will be available shortly.