The seemingly never ending saga of the proposed Ardee bypass took another turn this week with both sides of the argument agreeing that constructive engagement is the only way to bring an end to the impasse.
The proposed N52 Ardee Bypass project is being built to improve road safety as well as reducing vehicular traffic in Ardee which has been the cause of gridlock in the town. The project, however, has been vehemently opposed by a group calling themselves ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’.
The group insist that the proposed route for the bypass is due to run directly through the easterly edge of Ardee bog’s which wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists in the area are claiming will have a hugely adverse effect on local habitat including the curlew bird which reside in the bog. They have also warned of the dangers of flooding in the town should the bypass be built on the bog.
Last year a High Court decision was delivered in 2024 that refused their application for a Judicial Review regarding the decision of An Bord Pleanála (EIA and AA Screening decisions) and the N52 Ardee Bypass. This seemingly brought an end to the sage which has delayed progress on the proposed bypass for a number of years due to various court proceedings brought forward by ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’.
However, earlier this year it was revealed that there would be yet more delays following the decision of the ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’ to lodge a Supreme Court Application for Leave to Appeal in respect of that High Court decision delivered last year.
This now means that the proposed project will not be able to get underway until such time as the legal process is fully exhausted. Ardee Fine Gael councillor Dolores Minogue has been outspoken in her frustrations of the group calling them no friends of Ardee Town for blocking the project at every turn. Last month Last, the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien announced that the Department of Transport will provide €633 million funding for national roads – including the Ardee bypass which led to Cllr. Minogue once again pleading to ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’ to drop their Supreme Court Appeal.
“She also urged Louth County Council to engage with ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’ to try and find a solution to address the group’s concerns. She stated that ‘constructive engagement was key to getting the project up and running again. However, in response to those words ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’ insisted they have always been open to constructive engagement and that it was local councillors like Dolores Minogue and Jim Tenanty who were constantly resisting efforts to engage with the group. These claims were immediately refuted by both councillors.
“Friends of Ardee Bog acknowledges the recent announcement of €633 million in National roads funding by the Department of Transport, which includes the proposed Ardee Bypass. Infrastructure development, when done correctly, can serve communities and protect the environment hand-in-hand.
“In response to recent remarks by Cllr. Dolores Minogue, we would like to clarify our position.
“Constructive Engagement has always been our approach. For the past six years, Friends of Ardee Bog has made repeated and genuine efforts to engage with both Cllr. Minogue and Cllr. Jim Tenanty and others. Unfortunately, those efforts have been met with silence, resistance, or outright dismissal. It is deeply disappointing to now see calls for engagement only after a Supreme Court challenge has progressed.
That said, we are encouraged by this shift in tone and welcome any sincere opportunity for respectful, solution-focused dialogue.
“We Stand for Sustainable Progress: Our legal challenge, which was a last resort due to lack of engagement, is not about blocking progress—it is about ensuring that proper environmental protections, legal obligations, and community consultation are respected. The Ardee Bog is a unique and irreplaceable ecosystem. Any development that affects it must be held to the highest standards. Environmental protection is not optional, it is our legal obligation and our moral responsibility to our future generations.
“We do not oppose progress. We support development that is transparent, responsible, and reflective of today’s needs—not outdated assumptions. What we will not accept is political grandstanding, or token gestures aimed at scoring short-term points.
“The way forward: We remain fully open to engagement with our Local Authority and believe a solution can be found through engagement. But that engagement must be based on mutual respect, a genuine willingness to listen and a shared commitment to ensuring Ardee’s future is sustainable, inclusive and responsible.
“We are not the obstacle we are part of the solution, but only if people are willing to meet us in truth and good faith,” concluded the statement.
When asked by the Dundalk Leader if they had indeed been resisting efforts to engage with ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’ both Dolores Minogue and Jim Tenanty refuted the accusations with Minogue offering to meet with the group as early as next week.
“Sounds great. I am free to meet the group next week and hopefully a quick resolution can be found to satisfy everyone and allow the bypass to begin this year!,” she stated.
Meanwhile Councillor Tenanty stated “I dispute the sentence that ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’ mention myself in their press release as they have never attempted to approach myself. At this month’s meeting I called for a public meeting to address issues with all concerned citizens including friends of the bog on back of a motion by Cllr Mc Geough,” he insisted.
