Great Western Greenway (Newport to Mulranny)

mambo

Anyone cycled the Great Western Greenway, from Mulranny <-> Newport?

http://www.discoverireland.ie/Great-Western-Greenway.aspx

We're thinking of heading down to Mayo from Dublin for a weekend, and including a cycle along this route, the longest dedicated walking/cycling route in Ireland, 18km long...

oscarBravo

I've walked parts of it, and I know several people who have cycled it. It's definitely worth the trip.

nuac

Yes - have walked parts of it. Very scenic. Well worth doing. Planis to extend it up to Westport.

happyoutscan

Have cycled it a few times and it is amazing. Within a year or so the sections between Westport-Newport and Mulranny-Achill should be complete. If you're staying in Westport try Clew Bay Bike Hire, they'll run you out and collect you from the Greenway for the price of a full day bike hire per person.

http://www.clewbayoutdoors.ie

mardybumbum

That looks like a very nice route. Must give that a lash myself.

RoadKillTs

Parts out it go through our land. Its a really good track. So many people cycle down to Mulranny and the roads are just too dangerous these days.

westtip

Its a great cycle ride - we need more facilities like this off road as the roads are just too dangerous and this does bring visitors to the area.

The should do the same with the Collooney- Claremorris old railway line and forget all the nonsense about it ever being re-opened, it won't happen and in teh meantime the alignment is in serious danger of being lost in parts.

checkour www.sligomayogreenway.com to see what people are saying about it.

irishgeo

westtip wrote: »

Its a great cycle ride - we need more facilities like this off road as the roads are just too dangerous and this does bring visitors to the area.

The should do the same with the Collooney- Claremorris old railway line and forget all the nonsense about it ever being re-opened, it won't happen and in teh meantime the alignment is in serious danger of being lost in parts.

checkour www.sligomayogreenway.com to see what people are saying about it.

rumours they want to bring it to achill but there is a load of bridges need rebuilding and i am sure its land grabbed in parts.

mardybumbum

Where exactly does the Newport - Mulranny route begin in Newport? Is it near the town itself?

RoadKillTs

Where exactly does the Newport - Mulranny route begin in Newport? Is it near the town itself?

Its just outside the town. You go out the Mulranny road about a quarter or a mile and there is a sharpish corner ahead. The start is just before the corner on the left. Its marked. Should be some parking available on the right.

oscarBravo

irishgeo wrote: »

rumours they want to bring it to achill but there is a load of bridges need rebuilding and i am sure its land grabbed in parts.

They'll have similar problems bringing it to Westport, but I really think it's worth it. As for landgrabs, they got a lot of co-operation from landowners on the existing route. It might be trickier for the new phases - as best I can track it, it actually goes through people's gardens in places - but hopefully they'll get similar levels of co-operation.

RoadKillTs wrote: »

Its just outside the town. You go out the Mulranny road about a quarter or a mile and there is a sharpish corner ahead. The start is just before the corner on the left. Its marked. Should be some parking available on the right.

It could be better signposted, alright.

mardybumbum

RoadKillTs wrote: »

Its just outside the town. You go out the Mulranny road about a quarter or a mile and there is a sharpish corner ahead. The start is just before the corner on the left. Its marked. Should be some parking available on the right.

Thanks.
I'd often travel through Newport on my way to Mulranny.
Not once have I noticed a cycling track, but then again I haven't been looking for one.
Think I'm going to cycle this route next week if the weather holds up.

Bob the Builder

oscarBravo wrote: »

They'll have similar problems bringing it to Westport, but I really think it's worth it. As for landgrabs, they got a lot of co-operation from landowners on the existing route. It might be trickier for the new phases - as best I can track it, it actually goes through people's gardens in places - but hopefully they'll get similar levels of co-operation.

You'd be surprised how easy most, if not all people have co-operated with it. There were something like 49 landowners house-visited and using an incentive from the Dept. of Rural Affairs, everyone was extremely co-operative..

It could be better signposted, alright.

That's in the process of happening. Or at least was. Should be on course in the next few months.

happyoutscan

If you're coming from the Newport direction it's handier to start the cycle at the 7 Arches Bridge. This is located about 1 mile outside Newport, you'll see the impressive stone bridge on your right hand side. Turn right there and there is room for parking. From here the Greenway is all scenery and in my opinion the best place to start your cycle.

As far as I know they are making great progress and are hopeful to have most of it completed within a year or so.

oscarBravo

I came across a drawing somewhere that showed the route of the planned Westport-Newport section. I was delighted to see it linking with the end of the existing railway line walk, crossing Altamont street via the old railway bridge, over the viaduct across the river, and out along the old railway alignment past Allergan. The crossing of the N5 will be an interesting problem, but I suppose not much worse than where the Greenway crosses the N59 at Burrishoole.

mambo

Thanks for all the feedback.

We cycled the full length of the greenway this morning, Mulranny to Newport and back. Most of the route, particularly in the middle section, is on the old railway line, so it's fairly straight with gentle gradients. The surface is mostly kind of tarmac-cum-gravel.

Small bits of it are actually public/private roads, where you might conceivably meet a car, but we didn't.

The signposting is generally good, though at the Newport end it just kind of stops (or starts, depending on which way you are going) without any prominent signage at all! :-(

All in all, a great resource for the area, and the country. We need more of these!!

dec25532

Am going to give it a go some weekend soon. Sounds great. One question though, any dogs en route? We not good on dogs after a bad experience a few years back.

mambo

dec25532 wrote: »

Am going to give it a go some weekend soon. Sounds great. One question though, any dogs en route? We not good on dogs after a bad experience a few years back.

We passed on or two people out walking with their dogs, on leashes, from what I remember.

Flygroove

Is the route smooth enough for road bikes? thin wheels

Can you cycle both ways or is it a one way route?

Thanks

mambo

Flygroove wrote: »

Is the route smooth enough for road bikes? thin wheels

I would say so, yes. The surface is a kind of a compacted fine gravel - you can see it on the right in this pic:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=462180948522&set=a.251883313522.170631.251848623522
or in this pic:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=251890943522&set=a.251883313522.170631.251848623522

Can you cycle both ways or is it a one way route?

Both ways no problem, though at the Newport end the start was not too well signposted (in summer 2010). But it's not hard to find, take the Mularanny road and keep an eye out for it a few 100 metres from the town centre.

yop

Thanks for those, its a wonderful amenity to have in the area. Will be able to get some nice long runs in on that path!

Connacht

There are now, to my knowledge, at least these three bicycle hire businesses on the Greenway :
http://www.newport-bicycle.com/
http://www.clewbayoutdoors.com/
http://www.electricescapes.ie/
Other outdoor activity businesses based around the Greenway include these guys :
http://www.irelandwestseakayaking.com/
http://tourismpurewalking.com/
The Newport to Westport and Mulranny to Achill stretches are both supposed to be open before summer this year, bringing the greenway to 42 km long.

irishgeo

Connacht wrote: »

There are now, to my knowledge, at least these three bicycle hire businesses on the Greenway :
http://www.newport-bicycle.com/
http://www.clewbayoutdoors.com/
http://www.electricescapes.ie/
Other outdoor activity businesses based around the Greenway include these guys :
http://www.irelandwestseakayaking.com/
http://tourismpurewalking.com/
The Newport to Westport and Mulranny to Achill stretches are both supposed to be open before summer this year, bringing the greenway to 42 km long.

achill is work in progress, they have a few bridges that are knocked to fix up yet though.

mambo

http://www.mulrannyparkhotel.ie/cycling-mayo
also rents out bikes (perhaps to guests only??) and is right on the greenway.

happyoutscan

mambo wrote: »

http://www.mulrannyparkhotel.ie/cycling-mayo
also rents out bikes (perhaps to guests only??) and is right on the greenway.

Clew Bay Bike Hire are going to be operating in Westport, Newport, Mulranney and Achill for the coming season including drop-offs and collections from all the depots, meaning you could leave Westport and cycle to Achill and be driven back etc.

happyoutscan

Flygroove wrote: »

Is the route smooth enough for road bikes? thin wheels

Can you cycle both ways or is it a one way route?

Thanks

I know a few people who cycled the Newport-Mulranney section on road bikes and they didn't think they were suited to it. As far as I know (although I haven't seen it myself) some - if not all - of the Westport-Newport stretch will be tarmac and not the 'grit gravel' surface used on the Newport-Mulranney section

RMDrive

The surface is fine for a road bike but there's a pile of cattle grids to cross and I don't know how well a road bike would take those.

westtip

Its a fantastic facility and we need more of its kind in the West and North West - and even to have greenways running parallel with our existing railways - Thankfully both Sligo and Mayo County council are now supporting the idea for the same execution on the Claremorris - Colooney line - see the web site

www.sligomayogreenway.com

happyoutscan

westtip wrote: »

Its a fantastic facility and we need more of its kind in the West and North West - and even to have greenways running parallel with our existing railways - Thankfully both Sligo and Mayo County council are now supporting the idea for the same execution on the Claremorris - Colooney line - see the web site

www.sligomayogreenway.com

I've heard they are also looking into the possibility of converting the Ballinrobe-Claremorris line into a Greenway. There is great potential with these in promoting the west for tourism, something that's badly needed seeing as our industries are suffering. Would be great to get a jump start on the rest of the country!

Esroh

happyoutscan wrote: »

I've heard they are also looking into the possibility of converting the Ballinrobe-Claremorris line into a Greenway. There is great potential with these in promoting the west for tourism, something that's badly needed seeing as our industries are suffering. Would be great to get a jump start on the rest of the country!

As far as I know they are having unofficial talks with landowners. If you did not know it was there you would be hard pushed to tell in places on the few miles from Roundfort to Ballinrobe.

westtip

I reckon we might see this along the whole of the Western Rail corridor from Collooney to Athenry, the FG manifesto is hardly a ringing endorsement of the supposed phase 2 and 3 of the Western Rail corridor (phase 1 was ennis Athenry) phase 2 is supposed to be Athenry Tuam then phase 3 Tuam Claremorris but the FG manifesto says:

From the back pages (page 79) of the FG manifesto:

the Western Rail Corridor, which will be subject to a cost benefit

analysis by independent experts

Hardly a ringing endorsement for trains to Tuam and Claremorris and as for Claremorris to Collooney, well that truly is a piped dream. it sounds to me like FG are trying to get off the hook with the help of independent experts, don't blame them can't see the rest of the country putting up with money being spent on a pretty pointless rail line from Athenry to Claremorris.

irishgeo

westtip wrote: »

I reckon we might see this along the whole of the Western Rail corridor from Collooney to Athenry, the FG manifesto is hardly a ringing endorsement of the supposed phase 2 and 3 of the Western Rail corridor (phase 1 was ennis Athenry) phase 2 is supposed to be Athenry Tuam then phase 3 Tuam Claremorris but the FG manifesto says:

From the back pages (page 79) of the FG manifesto:



Hardly a ringing endorsement for trains to Tuam and Claremorris and as for Claremorris to Collooney, well that truly is a piped dream. it sounds to me like FG are trying to get off the hook with the help of independent experts, don't blame them can't see the rest of the country putting up with money being spent on a pretty pointless rail line from Athenry to Claremorris.

do you have a link to the FG manifesto, i would like to read it.

westtip

irishgeo wrote: »

do you have a link to the FG manifesto, i would like to read it.

http://www.finegael2011.com/pdf/Fine%20Gael%20Manifesto%20low-res.pdf

To see the bit I refered to just type in 79 on the page search. the good news is the FG manifesto does commit to continue the work done on the National Cycle Network policy. thats on page 80.

CrowdedHouse

Myself and the OH were in Westport last weekend. Took a spin(car) out to Achill on Sunday....

'Why are all those people walking in the fields and ditches ?'

The bits of it we saw from the road looks great, it's a great idea - well done.

We'll be back to check it out properly

Neworder79

Yes the new Westport - Newport section is coming on well. Has Achill section started?.

Looks a bit messy at the moment with all the digging but should be in shape for Summer. Seems to be a lot of road crossings which break the flow, but I believe they plan to improve some of those sections when the N59 realignment removes some of the worst bends, due to start later this year.

oscarBravo

Neworder79 wrote: »

Has Achill section started?.

Yup, looks like it's about half-way there.

Seems to be a lot of road crossings which break the flow...

Between Westport and Newport? I'm only aware of one place where it crosses the N59. There are a few places where it crosses minor roads, if that's what you mean, but they're pretty much unavoidable.

mambo

These articles say the full Westport to Achill greenway will open in April.

http://tourismpurewalking.com/blog/-greenway-cycleway-extension-coming-soon
http://insideireland.ie/2011/02/18/mill-times-hotel-celebrates-greenway-extension-8892/

westtip

Mayo coco have really got their act together on this greenway project - I just hope the same happens for the sligomayogreenway to link in with this project, it would make a huge difference to West of Ireland cycling tourism.

westtip

Worth picking up the Sligo champion especially if you are in any of the Mayo towns along or near the route: Claremorris, Kilimagh, Swinford, Foxford, Charlestown.

See pages 34/35 of this weeks sligo champion.

finisklin

Any chance you could summarise? Link?

You've wetted my appetite on this one.....

yop

finisklin wrote: »

Any chance you could summarise? Link?

You've wetted my appetite on this one.....

So Sligo are going to copy us... tut tut. Down with that sort of thing!

Be nice if we could spin from Westport to Sligo

I did the Mizen to Malin last year on the bike and the roads around Sligo were hair raising in parts

dec25532

Have done the Newport to Mulranney greenway at least a dozen times now and looking forward to the extensions either side. There is no doubt that the Athenry to Collooney stretch of the Western Rail Corridor could be transformed into a similar cycle track because nothing will happen there for years to come. There is no money and no willingness.

westtip

yop wrote: »

So Sligo are going to copy us... tut tut. Down with that sort of thing!

Be nice if we could spin from Westport to Sligo

I did the Mizen to Malin last year on the bike and the roads around Sligo were hair raising in parts

Just as Mayo copied every other part of northern Europe! Its a seriously good initiative, if the greenway can run from Collooney to Claremorris, and a link can be established to the GWG it begins to open up the whole Slig/Mayo week long cycling holiday off road option. The National Cycle Network draft plan document on teh DOT website published last August is worth taking a look at. There is a whole network of disused rail lines in Donegal and Leitrim crying out for this treatment - Big opportunities for cycling tourism all at very low relative cost.

westtip

dec25532 wrote: »

Have done the Newport to Mulranney greenway at least a dozen times now and looking forward to the extensions either side. There is no doubt that the Athenry to Collooney stretch of the Western Rail Corridor could be transformed into a similar cycle track because nothing will happen there for years to come. There is no money and no willingness.

And no need for a train service from Athenry to Claremorris and then on to collooney (relative to other needs on the rail network), but that debate has been hammered out for years already in transport and commuting on the WRC thread.

westtip

Was on the GWG yesterday, hundreds of cyclists on it - must be bringing thousands into Newport and Mulranny in money just spent by day trippers alone.:D

irishgeo

westtip wrote: »

Was on the GWG yesterday, hundreds of cyclists on it - must be bringing thousands into Newport and Mulranny in money just spent by day trippers alone.:D

the bike rental shops are popping up all over the place.

yop

Is there a good few of them now?

oscarBravo

Yup. I think you can hire in several places in Westport, Newport and Mulranny already, and I guess it's only a matter of time (if not already) that you'll be able to do so in Achill Sound.

irishgeo

oscarBravo wrote: »

Yup. I think you can hire in several places in Westport, Newport and Mulranny already, and I guess it's only a matter of time (if not already) that you'll be able to do so in Achill Sound.

a bike hire shop is supposed to open opposite the Achill Sound Hotel in a small shop which was the butchers. that has now moved across the road.

its not open yet but the greenway is not finished yet anyway.

Neworder79

Any progress on the Tonregee section near Achill? I believe some farmers have blocked development?. Also does anyone know where it begins in Westport, I know the towns Greenway ends at the arch bridge opposite the Allergan turnoff, will it be linked with the Western Greenway?

irishgeo

Neworder79 wrote: »

Any progress on the Tonregee section near Achill? I believe some farmers have blocked development?. Also does anyone know where it begins in Westport, I know the towns Greenway ends at the arch bridge opposite the Allergan turnoff, will it be linked with the Western Greenway?

i havent heard anything about blocked development in tonregee and i was talking to a lad who lives near the greenway in tonregee. its not finished yet around a few houses thats all.

i did hear of a disagreement on the westport one near kilmena.