Deise Greenway. Cycle path. Waterford City to Dungarvan.

debok · 19-10-2019 10:58am

Seamai wrote: »

The muddy patches were the result of 3 days of heavy rain washing it on to the pathway, particularly around cattle crossings.
Grow up.

No need to tell me to grow up. Sorry I didn't agree with you. But to use the popularity and busyness of the Greenway as a negative is plain wrong I feel. If you want quiet lonely walks there's an abundance of mountains and walks around the country. Also if you walk from after kilmeaden to before kilmac it's always fairly quiet. Sorry again for not agreeing with your opinion.

debok · 19-10-2019 11:01am

Harry Palmr wrote: »

I think we know what he means - more of a walking surface at a gentle pace.

Can appreciate that but you know the surface your going to get on the Greenway before ya go on it. People complaining about a perfect fairly well tarmacked 48km path just makes me laugh. Walk mountains for better walking surface if soft grass is want you want.

Seamai · 19-10-2019 11:20am

One of the points I was trying to get across was that the Limerick Greenway's less than perfect surface probably kept the amount of cyclists down.
I also do a lot of hill walking but one of my knees has being bothering me of late so I'm trying to take it easy (I know walking on a hard surfaces is probably not the best). Sometimes time and weather dictate where I'd go walking, a bit of mud doesn't bother me when I'm used to being calf deep in peat on the mountains.
The greenways are as much for walkers as for cyclists and are perfect for people whose mobility might be compromised
You're correct about the stretch from Kilmacthomas to Kilmeaden being quieter, my experience from the Durrow to Dungarvan end at weekends is that as a walker I'm competing and constantly having to get out of the way of cyclists.

whisky_galore · 19-10-2019 11:37am

Seamai wrote: »

One of the points I was trying to get across was that the Limerick Greenway's less than perfect surface probably kept the amount of cyclists down.
I also do a lot of hill walking but one of my knees has being bothering me of late so I'm trying to take it easy (I know walking on a hard surfaces is probably not the best). Sometimes time and weather dictate where I'd go walking, a bit of mud doesn't bother me when I'm used to being calf deep in peat on the mountains.
The greenways are as much for walkers as for cyclists and are perfect for people whose mobility might be compromised
You're correct about the stretch from Kilmacthomas to Kilmeaden being quieter, my experience from the Durrow to Dungarvan end at weekends is that as a walker I'm competing and constantly having to get out of the way of cyclists.

It's lack of publicity. The airwaves are gushing Achill greenway this and Waterford greenway that. Some B list RTE 'celebrity' featured cycling one or the other, articles in Aer Lingus magazines etc. There's next to nothing advertising the Limerick greenway outside of the odd mention on local newspapers or radio. Businesses or hotels not taking advantage of it, think one bike hire place in NCW and that's it, it might as well not be there at all.

debok · 19-10-2019 12:18pm

Seamai wrote: »

One of the points I was trying to get across was that the Limerick Greenway's less than perfect surface probably kept the amount of cyclists down.
I also do a lot of hill walking but one of my knees has being bothering me of late so I'm trying to take it easy (I know walking on a hard surfaces is probably not the best). Sometimes time and weather dictate where I'd go walking, a bit of mud doesn't bother me when I'm used to being calf deep in peat on the mountains.
The greenways are as much for walkers as for cyclists and are perfect for people whose mobility might be compromised
You're correct about the stretch from Kilmacthomas to Kilmeaden being quieter, my experience from the Durrow to Dungarvan end at weekends is that as a walker I'm competing and constantly having to get out of the way of cyclists.

Have you walked the barrow way. Tis right job mostly grassy path whole way BV apart from the town's and very few bikes. I walked and camped along during the summer. From Kildare to st Mullins lovely spot. Nit sure what tis like in winter though

Seamai · 19-10-2019 1:29pm

debok wrote: »

Have you walked the barrow way. Tis right job mostly grassy path whole way BV apart from the town's and very few bikes. I walked and camped along during the summer. From Kildare to st Mullins lovely spot. Nit sure what tis like in winter though

Not yet but it's on my list, most of my walking is concentrated in Munster, though I did a really nice trail on Brandon Hill near Graiguenamanagh last spring, it had bit of everything, quiet country lanes, forest paths, wide open moorland and great views over to Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs. It certainly whetted my appetite to explore the south east more.

Wanderer78 · 19-10-2019 5:39pm

Seamai wrote:

Not yet but it's on my list, most of my walking is concentrated in Munster, though I did a really nice trail on Brandon Hill near Graiguenamanagh last spring, it had bit of everything, quiet country lanes, forest paths, wide open moorland and great views over to Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs. It certainly whetted my appetite to explore the south east more.

Make sure you do the way marked trails as well

Quackster · 20-10-2019 10:13am

whisky_galore wrote: »

It's lack of publicity. The airwaves are gushing Achill greenway this and Waterford greenway that. Some B list RTE 'celebrity' featured cycling one or the other, articles in Aer Lingus magazines etc. There's next to nothing advertising the Limerick greenway outside of the odd mention on local newspapers or radio. Businesses or hotels not taking advantage of it, think one bike hire place in NCW and that's it, it might as well not be there at all.

Limerick is not exactly a tourist hotspot and has never been able to sell itself very well. The extension of the GST to Listowel next year will bring it within the orbit of the Kerry tourism machine and you can expect to be hearing a bit more about it then!

Quackster · 20-10-2019 10:18am

Seamai wrote: »

Last Sunday I walked a section of the Great Southern Greenway in Limerick from Newcastlewest to Ardagh, while it didn't have the views of the Waterford way, the surface is older, rougher and a bit muddy in parts it was a much more enjoying and relaxed experience with far fewer users.

Well you'll be delighted to hear the surface of the GST will be upgraded shortly to proper tarmac to make it more cyclist friendly!

In fairness though, greenways are designed more for cyclists than walkers. The nature of old railway lines (long straight sections etc) makes for rather tedious walking but very enjoyable cycling. Also, there's no shortage of options for off-road walking but there are no other options for off-road cycling.

Quackster · 20-10-2019 10:25am

debok wrote: »

Have you walked the barrow way. Tis right job mostly grassy path whole way BV apart from the town's and very few bikes. I walked and camped along during the summer. From Kildare to st Mullins lovely spot. Nit sure what tis like in winter though

+1 on Barrow Way. Not so much the canal part north of Athy (those tedious long straight sections again) but along the river proper south of Athy is an absolute jewel.

Wanderer78 · 20-10-2019 11:18am

Quackster wrote: »

Well you'll be delighted to hear the surface of the GST will be upgraded shortly to proper tarmac to make it more cyclist friendly!

In fairness though, greenways are designed more for cyclists than walkers. The nature of old railway lines (long straight sections etc) makes for rather tedious walking but very enjoyable cycling. Also, there's no shortage of options for off-road walking but there are no other options for off-road cycling.

plenty of off road trail building going on around the country, it generally isnt for the novice though

Quackster · 20-10-2019 11:29am

Wanderer78 wrote: »

plenty of off road trail building going on around the country, it generally isnt for the novice though

No comparison with road biking though and not for the vast majority of leisure cyclists.

whisky_galore · 20-10-2019 2:46pm

Quackster wrote: »

Limerick is not exactly a tourist hotspot and has never been able to sell itself very well. The extension of the GST to Listowel next year will bring it within the orbit of the Kerry tourism machine and you can expect to be hearing a bit more about it then!

The GST has only been there for what, two or three decades already? Long time getting off the blocks publicity wise. Agree that Limerick has a very poor record of promoting itself. If Lough Gur was anywhere but Limerick we'd be tired hearing of it. A pair with plastic bags on their heads did more for the region.
North Kerry with the exception of Listowel is a tourism backwater. If it wasn't for JBK the place would be totally deserted. BallyB is probably past it's sell by date.

Quackster · 20-10-2019 4:50pm

whisky_galore wrote: »

The GST has only been there for what, two or three decades already? Long time getting off the blocks publicity wise.

Well it was started as a hobby by a couple of locals in the 90s when the notion of greenways was nonexistent and was developed a small bit at a time. The voluntary group responsible simply didn't have the resources to promote it.

Limerick Co Co only hitched their wagon to it recently, after seeing the successes in Mayo and Waterford. But saying that, they've done some excellent work this year, reconnecting the Barna Tunnel (every bit a match for the tunnel on the Waterford Greenway) and as I've said, a major upgrade of the entire existing section is in progress.

whisky_galore wrote: »

North Kerry with the exception of Listowel is a tourism backwater. If it wasn't for JBK the place would be totally deserted. BallyB is probably past it's sell by date.

That's true but, from a marketing perspective, irreverent as Kerry is one unit when it comes to tourism promotion and every effort will be made to sell the new greenway. Its full potential won't be realised of course until the Listowel to Tralee section is complete.

my3cents · 20-10-2019 5:20pm

Quackster wrote: »

Well it was started as a hobby by a couple of locals in the 90s when the notion of greenways was nonexistent and was developed a small bit at a time. The voluntary group responsible simply didn't have the resources to promote it.

Limerick Co Co only hitched their wagon to it recently, after seeing the successes in Mayo and Waterford. But saying that, they've done some excellent work this year, reconnecting the Barna Tunnel (every bit a match for the tunnel on the Waterford Greenway) and as I've said, a major upgrade of the entire existing section is in progress.

That's true but, from a marketing perspective, irreverent as Kerry is one unit when it comes to tourism promotion and every effort will be made to sell the new greenway. Its full potential won't be realised of course until the Listowel to Tralee section is complete.

The Waterford Greenway was started as a hobby of a couple of locals, none of them acknowledged when the counselors who were against the project stepped up to accept the awards.

ExoPolitic · 20-10-2019 7:17pm

whisky_galore wrote: »

Surprised no one has stumbled while walking or fallen off their bike and gone crying to their solicitor. Yet.

They have, multiple times...

Harry Palmr · 08-01-2020 1:55pm

I happened to drive out past the Kilmeaden Greenway stop earlier first time since last summer, that burnt wreck of the Cosy Thatch still "stands" is there like an insult to every visitor. What the feck is holding up the clearance of that site?

08-01-2020 3:51pm

Harry Palmr wrote: »

I happened to drive out past the Kilmeaden Greenway stop earlier first time since last summer, that burnt wreck of the Cosy Thatch still "stands" is there like an insult to every visitor. What the feck is holding up the clearance of that site?

It's a protected structure.

Harry Palmr · 08-01-2020 6:51pm

Protected for what? No one is ever going to renovate that heap.

08-01-2020 7:44pm

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Protected for what? No one is ever going to renovate that heap.

True enough. But it's a protected building so they can't do anything with it and they can't knock it. So I suppose we have to wait until nature takes it back

educere · 22-01-2020 8:39pm

Hi,
I tried to read as much of the thread as possible and couldn’t find the answer but does anyone know if this cycle pathway is or could be used to cycle to work? I’ve never been on it.
Thanks.

noby · 22-01-2020 8:41pm

educere wrote: »

Hi,
I tried to read as much of the thread as possible and couldn’t find the answer but does anyone know if this cycle pathway is or could be used to cycle to work? I’ve never been on it.
Thanks.

Of course, assuming you live and work close to it.

kayaksurfbum · 22-01-2020 8:42pm

educere wrote: »

Hi,
I tried to read as much of the thread as possible and couldn’t find the answer but does anyone know if this cycle pathway is or could be used to cycle to work? I’ve never been on it.
Thanks.

It absolutely can. A good few people do use it on there commute as far as I know.

Dexpat · 22-01-2020 8:44pm

educere wrote: »

Hi,
I tried to read as much of the thread as possible and couldn’t find the answer but does anyone know if this cycle pathway is or could be used to cycle to work? I’ve never been on it.
Thanks.

It has a pathway that you can cycle on yes, but if you live, say out the Dunmore Road or maybe Tramore and work in town then probably no.

educere · 22-01-2020 8:45pm

noby wrote: »

Of course, assuming you live and work close to it.

Thanks a lot.
And how long or hard is it for the full distance for an average to slow person? Don’t want to kill myself with exhaustion or get muddy trying to get to work.
Trying to see if I can manage without a car?

educere · 22-01-2020 8:47pm

Dexpat wrote: »

It has a pathway that you can cycle on yes, but if you live, say out the Dunmore Road or maybe Tramore and work in town then probably no.

I was thinking more from dungarvan to balkytruckle.

Dexpat · 22-01-2020 9:00pm

educere wrote: »

I was thinking more from dungarvan to balkytruckle.

Fair play to you if you can do that regularly. Especially if you plan to do a return trip each day.

kayaksurfbum · 22-01-2020 9:02pm

educere wrote: »

I was thinking more from dungarvan to balkytruckle.

That's about 50k each way. 2 hours for a fit cyclist or good ebike!

JMcL · 22-01-2020 9:18pm

educere wrote: »

I was thinking more from dungarvan to balkytruckle.

Wow. It's doable, but bear in mind the time it'll take. You're looking at the guts of 50km, which if you're very fit you could do in less than 2 hours (there're no serious gradients) BUT due to its nature, excessive speed on the Greenway is somewhat antisocial. You also describe yourself as "average to slow", so count on anything up to around 3 hours each way. 6 hours cycling each day is in pro territory in terms of duration! Also bear in mind weather - do you want to have into that in lashing rain and/or wind. I love cycling, but not sure I could face that day in day out. An ebike would of course help in terms of effort, but you'll most likely need to be able to charge it at work for the return trip. And you'll be limited to 25km/h give or take do still looking at 2 hours min.

What I'd do in your case is aim to try to do it 1 or 2 days per week, just remember to allow for the time. The idea of a fresh early spring morning on the Greenway is appealing I must say! Good luck!

beazee · 23-01-2020 11:03am

educere wrote: »

Hi,
could be used to cycle to work? I’ve never been on it.
Thanks.

Bring good front light with you.
It's difficult enough to navigate the full length of it after dark with no lights on.

Harry Palmr · 19-02-2020 3:02pm

Bilberry funding finally!

"An additional €1,550,000 funding has been made available for the Bilberry to City Centre Greenway extension"

https://waterfordcouncilnews.com/2020/02/19/waterford-welcomes-funding-of-e15175000-under-ntas-project-ireland-2040/

this will bring greenway to clock tower crossing to North quay and presumably a way will be created to allow cyclists to exit NQ onto the Kilkenny to Wexford section without using a road.

Gardner · 19-02-2020 4:16pm

I'm waiting for someone to post "wHaT aBoUt 24/7 AnD tHe HoSpItAl"

sharingan · 20-02-2020 10:09am

educere wrote: »

I was thinking more from dungarvan to balkytruckle.

That would be a no:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Dungarvan+Greenway+Bike+Hire,+14+Sexton+St,+Abbeyside,+Dungarvan,+Co.+Waterford,+X35+YH92/Ballytruckle,+Waterford/@52.2300083,-7.2046227,12.96z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x4843191f9799ff61:0x9877c7a8b8109b48!2m2!1d-7.6149843!2d52.0925241!1m5!1m1!1s0x4842c41fb8cb87cd:0x2600c7a7bb2c2c31!2m2!1d-7.1091488!2d52.2501018!3e1

Its too much for a commute. Kilmacthomas is probably the furthest extent for a practical commute.

I have cycled it with people with novice levels of cycling and fitness. While the gradients are perfectly manageable, there is still a 100m elevation, and those hills will be an issue until your fitness improves.

The surface is fine, but not really suitable for 18mm roadbike tires, but anything more robust is ok.

If you are flying along at 30km/hr + which is doable its a more than a bit anti-social, but in practice the walkers & foot traffic are concentrated around the access points, and in between them you will only find the occasional cyclist.

I did waterford -> dungarvan last november around lunch time and we met maybe 10 cyclists on the whole journey.

You might want to consider getting a foldup bike, and doing the journey one way, and busing it back (you will probably want to sleep on the bus back!)

You will want a change of clothes and ideally a shower when you get to work.

If you do go down this route your fitness and cardio is going to really spike. Fair play if you can pull it off.

Harry Palmr · 15-06-2020 6:27pm

https://twitter.com/Briankenny9/status/1272469397416955904

friendlyfun · 21-06-2020 11:10am

Greenway has to be the best thing to happen the city in the last 10 years. The success of our Greenway has even inspired other counties to make their own greenways.

Speak Now · 21-06-2020 11:14am

friendlyfun wrote: »

Greenway has to be the best thing to happen the city in the last 10 years. The success of our Greenway has even inspired other counties to make their own greenways.

I thought the idea came from the great western greenway in Mayo? Be great when all counties link up where feasible.

Chiparus · 21-06-2020 11:17am

Speak Now wrote: »

I thought the idea came from the great western greenway in Mayo? Be great when all counties link up where feasible.

The difference is that the waterford greenway made waterford and towns a tourist destination.

Harry Palmr · 21-06-2020 1:14pm

I think the Greenway here has probably generated more income for more people than any of the others at this point. It's been a massive success esp for Dungarvan and Kilmac, which has been reborn on the back of it.

mooseknunkle · 21-06-2020 1:48pm

friendlyfun wrote: »

Greenway has to be the best thing to happen the city in the last 10 years. The success of our Greenway has even inspired other counties to make their own greenways.

I agree the Greenway is the best thing to happen here in years,and it has the potential to be one of the top tourist attractions in Ireland if they done more with it,there's so much more they can do like for starters get the access from the Quay sorted it got funding of i think about 1.8 million late last year and still nothing is happening with it.

Open up camping sites,more cafes/food trucks,seating areas/bins/toilets and bike maintenance areas,its open 4 years now and people still dont keep left more signs are needed and maybe a speed limit for bikes,other greenways are opening and Waterford will fall behind if the council dont take advantage of the one we have.

Chiparus · 21-06-2020 4:23pm

mooseknunkle wrote: »

I agree the Greenway is the best thing to happen here in years,and it has the potential to be one of the top tourist attractions in Ireland if they done more with it,there's so much more they can do like for starters get the access from the Quay sorted it got funding of i think about 1.8 million late last year and still nothing is happening with it.

Open up camping sites,more cafes/food trucks,seating areas/bins/toilets and bike maintenance areas,its open 4 years now and people still dont keep left more signs are needed and maybe a speed limit for bikes,other greenways are opening and Waterford will fall behind if the council dont take advantage of the one we have.

It is quite amazing the city does not embrace it , cycling from the greenway is a nightmare. To do it you have to cycle over the river negotiate a very busy roundabout , then cycle back across the river.
Even findng the start is difficult if you are not from the city.

azimuth17 · 21-06-2020 4:33pm

Chiparus wrote: »

It is quite amazing the city does not embrace it , cycling from the greenway is a nightmare. To do it you have to cycle over the river negotiate a very busy roundabout , then cycle back across the river.
Even findng the start is difficult if you are not from the city.

Its hard to embrace it near the city (when it is not fully complete, and is difficult to access) from Bilberry into town. Plans have been published and I understand CPO is in progress with some of the property owners in Bilberry. Waterford city money built it in the first instance and to the best of my knowledge, city has never been properly recompensed (as promised) for the expenditure. Funding is in place to finish it when property issues resolved.

Chiparus · 21-06-2020 5:28pm

azimuth17 wrote: »

Its hard to embrace it near the city (when it is not fully complete, and is difficult to access) from Bilberry into town. Plans have been published and I understand CPO is in progress with some of the property owners in Bilberry. Waterford city money built it in the first instance and to the best of my knowledge, city has never been properly recompensed (as promised) for the expenditure. Funding is in place to finish it when property issues resolved.

You know if they wanted to , it would be done in a week, they could paint a contraflow cycle lane as a temporary measure along O'Connell street ,then down onto Grattan Quay, And mark it greenway , even paint it green!

This thread started 6 years ago ........... 6 years. WCC appear to have done nothing.

azimuth17 · 21-06-2020 7:37pm

Chiparus wrote: »

You know if they wanted to , it would be done in a week, they could paint a contraflow cycle lane as a temporary measure along O'Connell street ,then down onto Grattan Quay, And mark it greenway , even paint it green!

This thread started 6 years ago ........... 6 years. WCC appear to have done nothing.

This is a frankly risible and unfair comment. Two or three posts up you can see work on Greenway to Kilmeaden underway. Who do you think is doing that work? Waterford city and county council, for whom I hold no brief, were left without (promised) recompense for massive expenditure on the Greenway. Some sources suggest a deficit figure of €17m. Funding has now been provided to extend the Greenway into the city and property solutions which involve a CPO and a structure out over the river, are being dealt with. I presume they wish to wait and do the proper job all together. You can agree or disagree at leisure with that strategy.

Chiparus · 22-06-2020 9:14pm

azimuth17 wrote: »

This is a frankly risible and unfair comment. Two or three posts up you can see work on Greenway to Kilmeaden underway. Who do you think is doing that work? Waterford city and county council, for whom I hold no brief, were left without (promised) recompense for massive expenditure on the Greenway. Some sources suggest a deficit figure of €17m. Funding has now been provided to extend the Greenway into the city and property solutions which involve a CPO and a structure out over the river, are being dealt with. I presume they wish to wait and do the proper job all together. You can agree or disagree at leisure with that strategy.

A temporary cycle path could be created, taking cyclists away from the quays and down O'Connell street, even a sign post directing cyclists coming into the city up Dyehouse lane and onto Mary Street would be a help.

cml387 · 15-07-2020 11:27am

Ther looks to me like a serious infestation of Japanese Knotweed from Kilmacthomas eastwards at least as far as the coach house.

What's may be spreading it is the cable laying I saw heading back towards Waterford.

spaceCreated · 15-07-2020 6:15pm

How much are we putting in to funding the new greenway down to new ross? https://wexfordtoday.com/2019/10/10/full-steam-ahead-for-e13m-new-ross-greenway-link/

Aquos76 · 15-07-2020 7:46pm

spaceCreated wrote: »

How much are we putting in to funding the new greenway down to new ross? https://wexfordtoday.com/2019/10/10/full-steam-ahead-for-e13m-new-ross-greenway-link/

I don’t have any issues with the city council putting money in to this tbh, it will eventually join up with our greenway and the final plan will then be to link New Ross and Rosslare. That would be some spin then from Dungarvan to Rosslare and then over into Wales on the ferry

Christy Browne · 16-07-2020 12:40am

Aquos76 wrote: »

I don’t have any issues with the city council putting money in to this tbh, it will eventually join up with our greenway and the final plan will then be to link New Ross and Rosslare. That would be some spin then from Dungarvan to Rosslare and then over into Wales on the ferry

Once this becomes a reality it should serve as an example as to what can be done when the councils in the South East come together. Hopefully the airport, which KK, WX and WD have all committed money towards will follow suit. I won't mention the university

MartyMcFly84 · 22-07-2020 10:55am

Agreed some more joined up projects and thinking would benefit the whole of the SouthEast. People starting on the Greenway in New Ross or Rosslare will follow it along through Waterford, it will increase tourism and benefit the whole region.

Harry Palmr · 22-07-2020 11:12am

Not sure if this was mentioned before, but moves are afoot for a Waterford to Tramore spur, presumably the idea would be to follow the old railway line as much as possible.

Old line route shown here
https://www.activeme.ie/guides/dismantled-railway-tramore-to-waterford/

Deise Greenway. Cycle path. Waterford City to Dungarvan.

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