Royal Canal on a Road Bike

There were sections where the trees were definitely cut back. The hedge have been cut back too, but has regrown now?

Is that section almost complete then?

You could also get the train to starting point, cycle both sections, and get the train back.

I'd second @PhillySteak9's recommendations. I've been out that way a few times, and either Nanny's or Fureys (or both) are worth a stop.

There's nothing really spectacular along the route, it's all just very pleasant in a bucolic or pastoral sort of way

View from Louisa Bridge today:

Surface looks immaculate for the main part, nothing either end. Lots of lampposts with no lamps still.

Nice one. Hope Louisa Bridge to Maynooth is on the cards at some stage…

Was in Leixlip library couple nights ago and there was a draft copy of proposed new ‘Canal ‘ legislation complete with copy of the standard €150 fine for everything short of breaking wind .Have mixed feelings about tarmacking the canal bank and calling it green .Anyway it seems they are ramping up fees for the canal barges and trying to get rid of them but I’m not sure how they will get on enforcing a ban on swimming and 15kmh cycling speed limit !!!!

Ive done the canal before, but will be bringing a small group from Maynooth to Mullingar on an upcoming Saturday. The Irish Rail site is clear about the bikes on weekdays, but less so about weekends. I know its normally 2 bikes, but has anyone got more on?

If not, we'll get the expressway bus but train would be better

If you're going to Maynooth with the commuter service there is no limit on the amount of bikes and there's plenty of space for them.

The InterCity is a different matter. There are 2 bikes per carraige, sometimes 4 per train. We have gotten 5 bikes in 2 spaces, but they were all road bikes. I've also had a case where we had a couple of bikes in the hall at the end of the carraige, the conductor asked us to keep and eye on them at the stations and to get off and on again if they were hindering people. But I've also heard of people and bikes being removed.

The early service to Mullingar/Sligo on a weekend morning is usually quite empty. I'd suggest train to Mullingar and cycle back as you'll have less competition for space. Also has the advantage that if someone gets tired they'll have more options of jumping off in Enfield, Kilcock or Maynooth and others will have the option to continue on towards Dublin if they wish.

Bus Eireann also have limits on the number of bikes they take, but you can book a few of them in advance if you wish.

.....or, as in my locality, installing bike racks along a coastal path where cycling is prohibited.

Thanks. Trains set is the word I was looking for. 2 trains sets = 4 bikes.

Still an abysmal number by anybody's standards. They need carriages like these, especially at weekends. Sell specials and family tickets and encourage people to get out and enjoy the country. It's easy to convert half an existing carriage to the one below.

The annoying thing is that the canals (especially the Royal) are the safest long distance routes in the country to cycle along and are well serviced by trains. Pity they don't get their finger out and do something to promote them.

Update, RCW from Confey to Louisa bridge is fully closed and sealed off at both ends