Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Royal Canal on a Road Bike

18911131431

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 710 ✭✭✭mad turnip


    Thanks lads, OSM doesn't seem to easily allow waypoints, just end to end. Will have to get it done soon so!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,121 ✭✭✭mr spuckler


    mad turnip wrote: »
    Thanks lads, OSM doesn't seem to easily allow waypoints, just end to end. Will have to get it done soon so!

    I use plotaroute.com, have done so for several version of routes around there even! Allows plenty of waypoints and can download to Garmin for directions if needed...though shouldn't be needed for this route!


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    mad turnip wrote: »
    Does anyone know if you can switch off the royal canal and onto the Mullingar-Athlone greenway and if its all doable on the roadbike?
    https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?engine=graphhopper_bicycle&route=53.3789%2C-6.5902%3B53.4231%2C-7.9427#map=11/53.4222/-7.2750&layers=C

    All of the Royal Canal from Maynooth westwards and all of the Mullingar-Athlone greenway is either tarred, or crushed and compacted limestone, perfect for a road bike.

    You can jump from the Royal Canal to the Athlone greeway at a number of points, the last one being Ballinea Bridge, they run parallel to each other for a few Km.

    This is Ballinea Bridge.

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.5077735,-7.4166093,320m/data=!3m1!1e3


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,240 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    I was checking out a couple of spots along the canal and I just noticed that there's Google Street View, from a barge!

    Am I the only not to have noticed that before?


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    Hurrache wrote: »
    I was checking out a couple of spots along the canal and I just noticed that there's Google Street View, from a barge!

    Am I the only not to have noticed that before?

    Just noticed it there today myself. I know the Shannon is largely done already, nice to see the Royal done too.

    Always fascinating when they go under a bridge and you get to see the stonework, though the camera shuts off on some of the newer ones as it's on the dredging barge.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,859 ✭✭✭Duckjob


    Hurrache wrote: »
    I was checking out a couple of spots along the canal and I just noticed that there's Google Street View, from a barge!

    Am I the only not to have noticed that before?

    Ha ha! Snap! I just discovered that about 2 nights ago and spent much longer than I should have using it to check out the surfacing on the greenway.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,240 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    KevRossi wrote: »
    Always fascinating when they go under a bridge and you get to see the stonework, though the camera shuts off on some of the newer ones as it's on the dredging barge.

    Yeah, I got switched and directed along the road that goes over some of the bridges.

    Duckjob wrote: »
    Ha ha! Snap! I just discovered that about 2 nights ago and spent much longer than I should have using it to check out the surfacing on the greenway.

    That's exactly what I was doing!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,050 ✭✭✭cletus


    The Grand Canal is done too, as well as the Barrow Line (although they have it labelled as the River Barrow)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 338 ✭✭RunDMC


    The section between the R149 and the Royal Canal Amentity Group was closed off today, any idea what's going on?

    R


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,095 ✭✭✭buffalo


    RunDMC wrote: »
    The section between the R149 and the Royal Canal Amentity Group was closed off today, any idea what's going on?

    R

    It's been closed off for months, part of the bank collapsed I believe. edit: going on seven months...

    https://twitter.com/royalgreenway/status/1200453046834257921


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,964 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    cletus wrote: »
    The Grand Canal is done too, as well as the Barrow Line (although they have it labelled as the River Barrow)
    You mean all the grass paths are replaced with tarmac/smooth sand and gravel the way the Royal Canal is as far as Maynooth?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,050 ✭✭✭cletus


    Thargor wrote: »
    You mean all the grass paths are replaced with tarmac/smooth sand and gravel the way the Royal Canal is as far as Maynooth?

    No, sorry. I meant they have a street view on Google Maps. It was I response to the post saying that the Royal Canal had a street view


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,964 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    Oh crap sorry should have realised.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    buffalo wrote: »
    It's been closed off for months, part of the bank collapsed I believe. edit: going on seven months...

    https://twitter.com/royalgreenway/status/1200453046834257921

    If its not dry after the lockdown drought, it'll never be dry enough...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 338 ✭✭RunDMC


    I was through there on the bank holiday Monday; there were no fences across the path and the bank looked like it had been repaired already. Perhaps there was some more that needed to be done.

    R


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,492 ✭✭✭The Davestator


    Going to cycle the canal on Thursday and Friday next week. Maynooth to Cloondara and train back to Dublin.

    Has anyone any recommendations for wild camping spot along the way. I am thinking of Ballymahon.

    Cheers


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 692 ✭✭✭unhappys10


    Going to cycle the canal on Thursday and Friday next week. Maynooth to Cloondara and train back to Dublin.

    Has anyone any recommendations for wild camping spot along the way. I am thinking of Ballymahon.

    Cheers

    The canal at Ballymahon is a 5min walk from my home house. Can't really think of anywhere you'd camp apart from a random field. Few out of the way spots just beyond Ballymahon that would be isolated and nice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,492 ✭✭✭The Davestator


    unhappys10 wrote: »
    The canal at Ballymahon is a 5min walk from my home house. Can't really think of anywhere you'd camp apart from a random field. Few out of the way spots just beyond Ballymahon that would be isolated and nice.

    Thanks very much.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 692 ✭✭✭unhappys10


    Thanks very much.

    Actually, could possibly divert to Newcastle forest, 5 mins from the canal and I've often seen tents in there when I'd be walking the dogs. Could go in off the path and set up a tent and you'd never be seen.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    Going to cycle the canal on Thursday and Friday next week. Maynooth to Cloondara and train back to Dublin.

    Maynooth to Cloondara may be doable in a day particularly if you have a tailwind. At the moment the forecast is showing westerly winds both days so you might consider taking the early train to Longford before cycling to Cloondara and back to Maynooth as we did here: https://royalcanalgreenway.ie/greenway-in-a-day/


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭bovis


    Maynooth to Cloondara may be doable in a day particularly if you have a tailwind. At the moment the forecast is showing westerly winds both days so you might consider taking the early train to Longford before cycling to Cloondara and back to Maynooth as we did here: https://royalcanalgreenway.ie/greenway-in-a-day/

    Heres a link to an archive of the "greenway in a day".

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191227202254/https://royalcanalgreenway.ie/greenway-in-a-day/

    Waterways Ireland recently took over control of the royalcanalgreenway.ie website and strangely it's been inactive ever since ;) Apologies Mexicanpro - it wasn't our (i.e. RCAG voluntary group) plan to relinquish control but we had no choice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    When looking up the Royal Canal Greenway site, I came across this:https://www.facebook.com/100001817210305/posts/3857919260945276?sfns=mo
    Looks like work is about to commence on upgrading the section of towpath between Phibsboro and Ashtown. This went through the Part 8 planning process way back in 2015 and now it seems that work is starting at Broome Bridge next week. No indication yet as to whether sections of the path will have to be closed but the work mentioned in the article seems to mainly involve the area around the bridge.
    Unfortunately, the drawings that accompanied the Pt 8 process included a dotted line in some locations with the note "Possible future area for Greenway widening" so it's probable that it will still be narrower than ideal in these areas.

    Edit: Looks like it is just enabling work in and around the bridge that is starting now with the main Phase 4 contract yet to be placed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,964 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    Whats the Grand Canal like these days out of interest? Has it all been resurfaced like the Royal? I did it from Tullamore a while ago but the endless rutted grass paths nearly broke me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭Dizraeligears


    Ive seen people camping in Clondra right at the harbour.Theres also a spot just outside Clondra with a lock,could be more private.
    Friends of mine regularly camp and fish at a secluded spot on the Inny near Abbeyshrule , a very short distance from the canal,never a bother.Can PM with locations.
    Only thing is,no shop in Abbeyshrule or Clondra for getting stuff.Nearest shop to Clondra is Tarmon,not so sure about Abbeyshrule.


  • Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭bovis


    Ive seen people camping in Clondra right at the harbour.Theres also a spot just outside Clondra with a lock,could be more private.
    Friends of mine regularly camp and fish at a secluded spot on the Inny near Abbeyshrule , a very short distance from the canal,never a bother.Can PM with locations.
    Only thing is,no shop in Abbeyshrule or Clondra for getting stuff.Nearest shop to Clondra is Tarmon,not so sure about Abbeyshrule.

    It's very possible to do it in one day. We cycled from Enfield to Clondra in one day last summer. Just over 100km and we weren't marathon cyclists. But if you do want to camp it's very doable. I would recommend pitching your tent on the opposite side to the greenway towpath on a quite part away from a village and if you set up late in evening and are gone in morning you should have no problems. Check out @urbanfarn_ on Twitter as he did a wild camping trip on the canal last summer too and posted about it. Clondra harbour is a safe place to camp. Obviously "leave no trace" and you will be fine.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 825 ✭✭✭devonp


    Thargor wrote: »
    Whats the Grand Canal like these days out of interest? Has it all been resurfaced like the Royal? I did it from Tullamore a while ago but the endless rutted grass paths nearly broke me.


    No, nothing like the Royal, still lots of grassy rutted sections...
    with an MTB or gravel/Cx bike and wider tyres is still very doable at a slower pace...makes for a challenge....which has been taken away from the RCW now for the most part ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,964 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    Yeah probably better to leave it as a nice nature reserve tbh.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,240 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    It's like what I said on the Greenway holiday thread, I don't think the potential for tourism has really been appreciated. Plenty of farms along the way, all it'll take is a couple landowners to set aside a plot of land for camping for a fee, simple wash facilities, get local producers to provide food for packed lunches, breakfasts and so on, even local pubs get in on the act. Tour organisers can sort it, get to a certain point and they can even organise bike storage and transport while you stay at a hotel where they deliver your glad rags at a destination and get a train home.

    There's a huge amount of red tape in fairness, but wouldn't it be wonderful to traverse the country by bike?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    bovis wrote: »
    Waterways Ireland recently took over control of the royalcanalgreenway.ie website and strangely it's been inactive ever since ;) Apologies Mexicanpro - it wasn't our (i.e. RCAG voluntary group) plan to relinquish control but we had no choice.

    Thanks bovis. Such a shame RCAG are no longer involved with the website as it was very professional and a great source of up to date information on the canal. At least the Royal Canal Greenway Facebook page is still active.

    The archived page includes the text of the Greenway in a Day article but unfortunately the photos, map and video have vanished. I must see if there is any other way of republishing it online.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    Another update (and delay) on publication of plans for the Deep Sinking section of the Greenway:
    https://www.facebook.com/1549278628668036/posts/2577427935853095?sfns=mo


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,175 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    are they testing to see if the steep side can take a boardwalk?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    are they testing to see if the steep side can take a boardwalk?

    I assume you are referring to the north (Delwood) side even though the bank on the south (railway) side is probably steeper but not as high.
    The post mainly seems to refer to the south bank but, if the intention is to propose one side or the other, presumably they will have to check out ground conditions on both banks.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,175 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    the photo is not too clear, but i assumed it was taken from the south (railway) side, where a boardwalk seemed to be the only option?


  • Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭bovis


    the photo is not too clear, but i assumed it was taken from the south (railway) side, where a boardwalk seemed to be the only option?

    From what I observed the barge did a ground survey of both sides of the canal bank. I would imagine that all options will be closely considered.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,175 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    i took it from this text that the south bank was still being considered:
    "Constructability, engineering constraints, proximity to the rail-line, and future DART expansion requirements are elements that require further assessment along the south bank of the Deep Sinking."

    i had thought that DFB had said no to the idea of a boardwalk.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    I assume the boardwalk is much more expensive and compromised but with far less objections to overcome than the other bank.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,175 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    yeah, that's the issue - and DFB said they want the boardwalk to be able to take an ambulance; in case someone has a heart attack halfway between castleknock and coolmine.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    That's a game changer in terms of cost. An ambulance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    DFB initially said a fire tender AFAIK but scaled it back to a 4x4 and Waterways Ireland also looked for vehicle access for maintenance purposes. Referring to it as a boardwalk is a bit misleading as it would really end up being a cantilevered roadway if those requirements have to be met.

    The real scandal in all this is the ridiculous amount of time it is taking. While Covid 19 is a valid enough reason for stopping the investigations, other delays over the past decade are inexcusable and a very poor reflection on Fingal Co Co, Waterways Ireland and the NTA.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    beauf wrote: »
    I assume the boardwalk is much more expensive and compromised but with far less objections to overcome than the other bank.

    A perfect summary of what must have been obvious to Fingal for years. And we still are nowhere near the major battle when they eventually go for planning permission for the north bank scheme.


  • Registered Users Posts: 35 Lordsnutchi


    Does anyone know about the new cycle bridge being constructed off Newcomen bridge at North Strand?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    LOSDAVOS wrote: »
    Does anyone know about the new cycle bridge being constructed off Newcomen bridge at North Strand?

    https://irishcycle.com/2020/02/08/royal-canal-greenway-between-docklands-and-north-strand-road-to-open-in-may/comment-page-1/

    They've been at it a while. Haven't seen the progress since the lockdown. Used to see it regularly from the train..


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,175 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    A perfect summary of what must have been obvious to Fingal for years. And we still are nowhere near the major battle when they eventually go for planning permission for the north bank scheme.
    must ask my folks if there's any talk in the neighbourhood recently about it. i suspect not - people's minds have been elsewhere of late.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Unless you're someone who takes an interest in these things and cycling or planning in particular. It's not widely known amongst the locals I know. What if anything is planned. It's very low key imo.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,175 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    my folks live in delwood. i've mentioned on boards several times that the nay sayers seem much more vocal than the people in favour; i could not give an easy breakdown of the numbers, but apparently there are people who are in favour, but they're keeping their heads down given some of the strident opposition to it.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,170 ✭✭✭wildlifeboy


    my folks live in delwood. i've mentioned on boards several times that the nay sayers seem much more vocal than the people in favour; i could not give an easy breakdown of the numbers, but apparently there are people who are in favour, but they're keeping their heads down given some of the strident opposition to it.

    Theres some high profile lawyers who live there and will be impacted. they dont want it and they have clout.


  • Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭bovis


    Theres some high profile lawyers who live there and will be impacted. they dont want it and they have clout.

    When I look at this photo (from a newspaper article by a journalist that supported opposing residents) I can make out the original backgardens of the delwood green houses as shown by original sheds and then I think I can see extended gardens that are almost double the original size. The claim that there isn't enough space for a greenway on the northern bank is a very dubious argument. Maybe I am wrong and I am not doing the delwood green residents justice in my assumption about their backgardens.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,647 ✭✭✭beggars_bush


    Hurrache wrote: »
    It's like what I said on the Greenway holiday thread, I don't think the potential for tourism has really been appreciated. Plenty of farms along the way, all it'll take is a couple landowners to set aside a plot of land for camping for a fee, simple wash facilities, get local producers to provide food for packed lunches, breakfasts and so on, even local pubs get in on the act. Tour organisers can sort it, get to a certain point and they can even organise bike storage and transport while you stay at a hotel where they deliver your glad rags at a destination and get a train home.

    There's a huge amount of red tape in fairness, but wouldn't it be wonderful to traverse the country by bike?

    Yes
    But it'd be targeted at international visitors


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    If you go onto the www.landdirect.ie website, it seems that the original gardens have been extended on around 19 or 20 of the properties that border the canal. How legal this was and how much of it is squatters rights can't be seen, but none of the available portfolios include the land.

    Could be a drawn out legal case, could be a lot of compo involved. IIRC the same issues arose when taking back land on the old Harcourt line for the Green Luas. Land that had effectively been squatted on by the great and the good of Ranelagh had to be bought off them for huge sums by the government.

    Most countries would have told them to hand it back, we're a bit different.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,175 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    Theres some high profile lawyers who live there and will be impacted. they dont want it and they have clout.
    i grew up playing on the road with their kids.
    a former mayor of fingal coco also.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement