From Ireland to Portugal: a 100% sustainable trip!
Originally from Dripsey, County Cork, and now residing in Cork city centre, Dr. Darren McAdam O’Connell is a passionate advocate for sustainable and active travel such as walking, cycling, and using public transport. He is the Coordinator of the very successful stakeholder Forum, the Transport and Mobility Forum (TMF), and sees these modes as more than just a means of getting from A to B, they are essential for fostering well connected communities and enhancing individual well being. Darren believes that active travel encourages spontaneous interactions with neighbours and passersby, which are crucial for building vibrant, socially connected communities.
To lead by example, on July 5th, 2024, Darren embarked on a three week slow travel journey from Cork to Coimbra, Portugal, combining cycling, ferries, and trains. Throughout his trip, he shared daily travel logs on TMF social media, capturing both the joys and challenges of sustainable travel, while inspiring a growing audience. Darren's journey was not just about attending a study visit as part of the EMBRACER project, but also a testament to the real-world challenges and rewards of choosing sustainable, international travel.
Throughout his trip, Darren highlighted both the strengths and gaps in European transport connectivity. His experiences revealed the stark difference between seamless train travel across Ireland and Northern Ireland and the lack of cross border train services between Spain and Portugal. He praised Irish Rail's dedicated spaces for bicycles, which makes cycling journeys smoother in Ireland in contrast to the challenges of some cramped, bicycle unfriendly trains in other parts of Europe.
Darren’s experiences also underscored the importance of robust infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, which he observed in places like the outskirts of Bilbao in Spain, where walking and cycling were prioritised through excellent urban infrastructure and design.
Upon arriving in Coimbra, Darren was welcomed by the Inter Municipal Council and participated in tours showcasing the region's transport development plans, including part of the EuroVelo 1 cycling route, which stretches from Norway to Portugal, and the Metro Mondego project, which is transforming old railways into an efficient bus system for rural areas.
Darren’s trip highlights the need to address transport challenges for those living in underserved areas, where car dependency remains a barrier to greener travel choices. Also, he clearly showed that sustainable travel is possible, but we need to keep pushing forward. By improving infrastructure and prioritising public space for walking, cycling, and public transport, we can create more connected, vibrant communities.
Read the article by Interreg Europe and watch the interview!