Smithsland South, Kilkenny: junction of the N10 (foreground and left), N76 (ahead), and R910 (right)
The N10 is, despite its low number, something of an anomaly, in that while it technically is part of a route radiating from Dublin, it is merely a short deviation from the main Dublin to Waterford route (via the M7 and M9) to serve Kilkenny. It starts at a grade-separated junction with the M9 and runs along a new alignment up to the ring road, where it meets the N77. It runs round the ring road to the N76 and heads south, meeting up with the M9 again at junction 9.
For a significant part of its length, running up to Rathgarvan Junction, it forms part of a spontaneous motorway. The single carriageway link road is clearly signed as being the N10, right up until the start of motorway restrictions begin at the motorway itself.
History
The original numbering scheme treated Kilkenny as a main destination, rather than something the Dublin radial routes bypassed. It was originally part of the T51 and T14.
Most of the original route of the N10 has been downgraded, whether because of the fact that the M9 runs closer to the city or as a result of new build to the east. It started on the old N9 (now the R448) in Paulstown and ran along what is now the R712 into the city centre along Dublin Road, meeting the N77 just before crossing John's Bridge and the N76 at the other side of the city. It headed south along its current route, part of which south of the M9 is now the R713, before rejoining the R448 (former N9) south of Knocktopher.
