Walking Ireland

brian grey

Hi, I am planning to walk across Ireland for my 60th birthday. I am from California. I have found maps from Inland Waterways that show a route along the Grand Canal from Dublin to the river Shannon. Does anyone know a path, street, road or other route to walk from the Shannon or from Banagher to Galway?

feck sake lads

brian grey wrote: »

Hi, I am planning to walk across Ireland for my 60th birthday. I am from California. I have found maps from Inland Waterways that show a route along the Grand Canal from Dublin to the river Shannon. Does anyone know a path, street, road or other route to walk from the Shannon or from Banagher to Galway?

you can get a book from waterways ireland cycle the canals i think it's called;) fair auld task best of luck with it.

Mickeroo

Th western way would be worth looking into.

Eyeball Tickler

There aren't really any trails that will take you from the Shannon to Galway. The Hymany Way might get you some of the way there, but it wouldn't be the most direct route. Another guy did the same across-Ireland walk and while the canal walk sounds great, and I've done small stretches of it, from the Shannon to Galway you're pretty much on roads. See his reports at grandcanalhike.org.

While the canal is lovely, and I know there is a certain sense of achievement to walking across the country, I really do think our best walking by far is to be had in the hills and along the coast — the canal route is pretty flat and undramatic, while lovely. The Western Way, Kerry Way, Dingle Way, Wicklow Way and Beara Way are all worth checking out if you haven't already. See irishtrails.ie.

Pat Mustard

OP, there is another thread that is a few years old, which may be of some assistance.

I would recommend OSI maps for the trip. Weatherproof maps are also available.

Have you got good rain gear for the walk?

brian grey

Mustard, Thanks for your reply. I have ordered the OSI maps. I also found the older link very interesting and possibly very helpful. I plan to contact one or two of the posters from that older link who, apparently, have taken this walk. And yes, we have good rain gear. Thanks again.

brian grey

feck sake lads: thanks for your reply. i have contacted inland waterways.ie to get their maps. thanks again. brian grey

brian grey

eyeball tickler: thanks for your reply. i'm sure there are prettier walks but, somehow, i am drawn to walking across ireland

brian grey

mickeroo: thanks for your reply.

brian grey

brian grey wrote: »

feck sake lads: thanks for your reply.

Had to look at this a few times before I got it!

Good luck. I'd echo the sentiments above, it would not be an obvious route, and some of the stretches may be downright unpretty (think flat bog stretching for miles)...but no doubt much of it will be pretty. Maybe, if you're using guesthouses check that they have drying facilities, and you cannot bring enough waterproof gear.

brian grey

Thanks for your reply Conor74. Flat is good. What a great suggestion, to check about drying facilities in the B&B's we plan to stay in. My wife and I are outdoors oriented and have good weather gear for hiking the Sierra Nevada mountains and the California coast. We were likewise warned by Irish friends to bring rain gear on our first visit to Ireland and Dublin in 2011. Curiously, it stopped raining the day we got off the plane and never rained until we left 10 days later. Perhaps we will bring our California weather again.

brian grey

brian grey wrote: »

We were likewise warned by Irish friends to bring rain gear on our first visit to Ireland and Dublin in 2011. Curiously, it stopped raining the day we got off the plane and never rained until we left 10 days later. Perhaps we will bring our California weather again.

In fact, come to stay this time!

acorn

brian grey wrote: »

Hi, I am planning to walk across Ireland for my 60th birthday. I am from California. I have found maps from Inland Waterways that show a route along the Grand Canal from Dublin to the river Shannon. Does anyone know a path, street, road or other route to walk from the Shannon or from Banagher to Galway?

Brian, that's a great plan. Dublin Bay to Galway Bay is on my "to do" list too but there's a very long list !
When are you planning on doing it, maybe we could join you for a day if you'd like some local company ?

feck sake lads

i most certainly hope your not coming to look for work:D:D