Cycling the grand canal

Thanks for that, that's disappointing. I like my beer, but restricting access 24x7 for a beer garden seems a bit much!

Cycled yesterday, Friday from Inchicore to Edenderry & back switching banks where possible on the return

A tad slow going at times but was in no rush. Was on a steel frame with 28 mm & not a problem but obviously weather dependent. Plenty of points where you have to navigate barriers & ironically had intended to stop at Mcevoys for a pint on the way back but it was too busy.

Would never use the ramp there that brings you perpendicular to the hump back bridge, always use the carpark entrance so personally happy to walk my bike through if it's busy.

Well worth check out the route for something different.

I think it's the best kissing gate I've encountered, ever, in Ireland. So spacious. A luxury. If only more were like this on the Grand Canal, I'd be a happy bunny.

The best solution might be for them to give up some land or have some mutual agreement that they can use that part of the towpath(It is a nice spot for a beer garden) and WI get access at the rear of the pub to route the greenway around it and use the existing car park entrance to rejoin. It's pretty difficult to get up the incline and exit safely at the historic one! So could be a win for all involved.

Will cycle the Grand Canal Greenway shortly…..starting next couple of weeks. From my research using google maps and street view, I have come up with the following for the Grand Canal to Edenderry leg.

Hailing point Grand Canal Dock to Harolds Cross Bridge – North Bank
Harolds Cross Bridge to Dolphins Barn Bridge – South Bank
Dolphins Barn Bridge to Herberton Bridge – North Bank
Herberton Bridge to Griffith Bridge – South Bank
Griffith Bridge to Blackhorse Bridge – South Bank
Blackhorse Bridge to 9th Lock Bridge – South Bank
9th Lock Bridge (Waterside Pub) to 12th Lock Bridge – South Bank
12th Lock Bridge – to McEvoys – North Bank
McEvoys to Sallins Bridge – South Bank
Sallins Bridge to Digby Bridge – North Bank – a bit grassy after Leinster aqueduct, but get to pass 4 pots
Digby Bridge to Ladenstown Bridge – North Bank in order to see Bencon fairy tree– but if time poor, go south bank
Ladenstown Bridge to Caragh Bridge – North Bank
Caragh Bridge to Healys Bridge – North Bank
Healys Bridge to Binns Bridge (Robertstown) – North Bank
Binns Bridge(Robertstown) to Fentons Bridge (Lowtown) – North Bank
Fentons Bridge to Bond Bridge – North Bank
Bond Bridge to Shee Bridge – North Bank
Shee Bridge to Hamilton Bridge – South Bank
Hamilton Bridge to Lullymore Bridge – Norh Bank
Lullymore Bridge to Ticknevin Bridge – North Bank
Ticknevin Bridge to 20th Lock – North Bank
20th Lock to Cloncanon underpass bridge – South Bank

I'd love the opinions from anyone on this plan. Perhaps you can point out where it is flawed. Will stick to the banks if at all possible. Using my Raleigh Atlanta mountain bike. Will likely attempt in July.

I usually do this clockwise - Grand Canal to Sallins, then north through Clane to Donadea Forest Park for a picnic, then pick up the Royal Canal at either Cloncurry or Kilcock (prefer Cloncurry as the R407 is too busy and narrow) as far as Confey bridge, then on the road to Sheephouse and Porterstown.

I'd be inclined to take the road on the opposite bank. It's very quiet.

I've cycled it on 38's on a gravel bike. Mountain bike you'll be fine.

It's going to be a similar surface from Digby back to Robertstown anyway, you're definitely not doing the North bank there on a road bike.

https://irishcycle.com/2026/06/18/last-section-of-grand-canal-greenway-in-co-offaly-due-to-be-finished-in-summer-2027/

So, from where the Edenderry spur joins the Grand canal, back to the Kildare border.

That still leaves the Ticknevin stretch back to Robertsown to be completed by Kildare Co.Co., as well as the Robertsown to Sallins section.

The beer garden is a bit of a pain when busy but it is a proteted right of way in the sense of it can't be blocked off - not defending the way it is but to me is only a minor issue.

I know also that some of the gates can be awkward but people with laden bikes tend to expect stuff like this on their travels.

No route is ever going to be perfect & already both the Gran d & Royal are much better imo.