Greenways of Ireland

From the stunning Great Western Greenway in Mayo to the picturesque Waterford Greenway, these trails offer safe, traffic-free paths through some of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes.

Grand Canal Greenway Co. Offaly

The Offaly section of the Grand Canal Greenway is punctuated by historic sites, canal locks, lock houses and industrial architecture from bygone days. The route embraces landscape that has been untouched by modern agriculture and remains a linear oasis for the flora and fauna that was originally common throughout our countryside.

Dotted along the 71 kilometres route are the towns and villages of Daingean, Ballycommon, Tullamore, Rahan, Pollagh and Belmont offering accommodation to walkers and cyclists and boating enthusiasts. Offaly County Council are currently in partnership with Waterways Ireland and Bord na Mona working towards completing a full off-road Grand Canal Greenway west from Tullamore to Lough Boora Discovery Park and eastwards to Daingean.

Route – Edenderry – Shannon Harbour

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Great Western Greenway

The Great Western Greenway was completed in 2011, this panoramic route, which winds its way along the coast of of Clew Bay, was the longest greenway in Ireland. The Great Western Greenway has been so popular that it has inspired similar ventures all around the country, most notably perhaps, the Waterford Greenway which just surpasses the Great Western’s 42km by 4km! Today more than a quarter of a million people use the Great Western Greenway annually, all attracted by traffic-free natural environment and the ever-changing and beautiful views over Mayo’s mountains, bogs, farmland and dramatic Atlantic coastline.

The Great Western Greenway follows the line of the old Midlands Great Western Railway, which closed in 1937. It can be completed in either direction, although the best approach is from west to east, with the prevailing wind at your back. Of course, you don’t have to complete the entire 42km, there are a number of entry points onto the Greenway so you can choose to do the Greenway in smaller sections if you wish.
Distance: 42k
Route : Westport – Newport – Mulranny – Achill

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Waterford Greenway

Opened in 2017, the spectacular Waterford Greenway (also called the Deise Greenway) provides 46km of glorious car-free pathway stretching all the way from historic Waterford City to the beautiful sea-side town of Dungarvan in west Co. Waterford. The Comeragh Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to a breathtaking journey across eleven bridges, three viaducts, through a 400m-long tunnel, along the lush banks of the River Suir, all the way to the scalloped beaches of Waterford’s famed Copper Coast.
Route : Waterford City – Kilmacthomas – Dungarvan

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Old Rail Trail

The Old Rail Trail begins in the bustling town of Athlone and ends in the elegant old market town of Mullingar, County Westmeath. Between these two cultural hotspots, you will hear nothing but birdsong and the whirr of the spokes on your bike as you lose yourself along the spectacular 43km cycle path. The Old Rail Trail is a converted stretch of the Midlands Great Western Railway carved through rich fertile farmland, the Old Rail Trail Greenway leads visitors through the very heart of Ireland. The route traces the historic Midlands Great Western Railway track, past restored station houses and under pretty stone arched bridges. Linking the mighty River Shannon in Athlone with the Royal Canal in Mullingar, it passes through areas of unique biodiversity and heritage along the way.
Distance: 43k
Route : Athlone – Mullingar

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Limerick Greenway

The Limerick Greenway in Limerick is a 39 km off-road walking and cycling route along the old railway line that connects the three lovely market towns of Rathkeale, Newcastlewest and Abbeyfeale in west Limerick. The Limerick Greenway provides a journey through the wonderful built and natural heritage of countryside and villages along the route. Along the journey, you will encounter Norman castles, abbeys, medieval ruins, workhouses, famine graveyards, deserted railway stations, a viaduct and breath-taking scenery!
Distance: 40k
Route : Rathkeale – Newcastlewest – Abbeyfeale

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Royal Canal Greenway

The Royal Canal Greenway, at 130Km is the longest off-road Greenway in Ireland . The Greenway runs along the towpath of the Royal Canal which was constructed between Dublin and Longford at the turn of the 18th century to connect the River Liffey to the River Shannon. To date, Waterways Ireland have developed the Greenways for recreation purposes between Maynooth in Co. Kildare to Longford Town and Cloondara. The Greenway passes through counties Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford.

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Suir Blueway (Greenway)

The Suir Blueway in County Tipperary opened in 2019 at a coast of just under €6 million. The Suir Blueway runs for 53km in an east-west direction from Carrick-on-Suir to Cahir via Clonmel. The route is made up of a walking/ cycling trail for 21km which runs from Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel and a further 32km of waterway along the River Suir which can be canoed or kayaked. It is the river-based element of the route that makes it a Blueway rather than a Greenway!

With Carrick-on-Suir being the home town of Sean Kelly and Sam Bennett, many consider this area to be Ireland’s spiritual home of cycling and this off-road route shouldn’t disappoint the experienced cyclist. Running through the rich valley of the River Suir and the surrounding pasturelands of the Golden Vale, the trail provides wonderful views of some of Ireland’s most beautiful countryside.

Distance: 21km
Route : Clonmel – Carrick On Suir

Visit here for more information about the Suir Blueway (Greenway)