Construction is well underway on the Adare Bypass, one of Ireland’s most time-pressured infrastructure projects. The €150 million scheme aims to relieve one of the country’s worst traffic bottlenecks – and deliver a transformed village gateway – in time for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.

A Village Under Pressure

Adare has long been celebrated as one of Ireland’s most picturesque heritage villages, but its charm has come at a cost. The N21 national route passes directly through the village centre, creating chronic daily congestion that frustrates residents, businesses and visitors alike. Heavy goods vehicles compound the problem, raising road safety concerns in a streetscape never designed for modern traffic volumes.

The bypass has been in planning for years. The announcement of the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor provided the political momentum needed to accelerate delivery. In November 2023, the Irish Government approved fast-tracking construction, recognising both the infrastructure need and the international visibility of the event.

Project Scope and Engineering Challenges

The bypass stretches seven kilometres, connecting new interchange junctions at Adare and Croagh. The route crosses challenging terrain, requiring 16 bridges in total, including a major elevated structure spanning the River Maigue. Two additional railway bridges over the Foynes to Limerick rail line – currently being recommissioned – are being delivered separately by Iarnód Éireann in conjunction with John Cradock Ltd on behalf of Limerick City and County Council.

The Design and Build contract was awarded in December 2024 to the Sisk Sorensen Joint Venture, formed by John Sisk & Son and Sorensen Civil Engineering. Construction commenced in January 2025. Extensive enabling works – including archaeological resolution, hedge clearance, fencing, and utility diversions – were completed in advance of the main contract.

Progress on Site

As of early 2026, the project is tracking on schedule. Earthworks are at an advanced stage, the majority of structures are now underway, and drainage works are progressing. Landscape planting of low and high-level screening is also underway across the scheme. The Croagh Roundabout, connecting to the existing N21 east of Croagh village, opened to traffic in late 2025, marking a visible early milestone for road users in the area.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien TD attended the contract signing ceremony at Limerick City and County Council’s headquarters at Merchants Quay, hosted by Mayor of Limerick John Moran, underlining the project’s national significance.

Part of a Larger Transformation

The Adare Bypass is Phase 1A of the wider Foynes to Limerick Road project, a €850 million programme that will ultimately deliver 35 kilometres of upgraded road connecting the Port of Foynes on the Shannon Estuary to the motorway network near Limerick city. The full project – encompassing a 15.6 km dual carriageway from Foynes to Rathkeale, a 17.5 km motorway section bypassing Adare, and a heavy goods vehicle service area near Foynes Port – is expected to be fully completed by 2030. Ireland is also undertaking an ambitious all Island rail plan aimed at modernising and expanding the railway network across the island which will also further improve travel.

Completion of the bypass will remove through traffic from Adare village, improve road safety, reduce journey times across west Limerick and north Kerry, and significantly boost the region’s connectivity to one of Ireland’s key Atlantic ports. For Adare itself, the relief will be transformative – returning the village streetscape to a pace more fitting of its heritage status.

Project Factsheet

Project Name	Adare Bypass (Phase 1A – Foynes to Limerick Road)
Location	Adare, County Limerick, Ireland
Client	Limerick City and County Council
Contractor	Sisk Sorensen Joint Venture (John Sisk & Son / Sorensen Civil Engineering)
Contract Awarded	December 2024
Construction Start	January 2025
Scheduled Completion	June 2027
Project Cost	€150 million (approx.)
Road Length	7 kilometres
Route	New interchange at Adare to new interchange at Croagh
Structures	16 bridges, including a major elevated bridge over the River Maigue
Railway Bridges	2 new bridges over the Foynes–Limerick railway line (delivered by Iarnród Éireann / John Cradock Ltd)
Key Driver	Ryder Cup 2027 at Adare Manor
Wider Programme	Part of the €850 million Foynes to Limerick Road project (full completion 2030)
Procurement	Design and Build Contract
Minister Responsible	Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien TD

 

Rapid International Powers Progress on Landmark Adare Bypass

County Armagh-based Rapid International Ltd is playing a key role in delivering the €150 million Adare Bypass, supplying Breedon Ireland with a Rapidmix RMX400CW continuous mixing plant to meet the project’s demanding production schedule.

The plant produces Cement Bound Granular Material (CBGM), a critical component for long-term road durability. Capable of up to 400 tonnes per hour with mixing accuracy within 1%, it ensures a consistent material supply throughout the build. Its self-contained, mobile design allows quick repositioning across construction phases, minimising downtime.

Rapid International has also provided ongoing technical support throughout. Brian McManus, Managing Director of Breedon Ireland’s Contracting division, said: “It delivers the high output needed to keep pace with a demanding schedule, while consistently producing the quality of material required.”