Greenway Map

Deep Thought · 29-01-2019 4:57pm

is the Maynooth to Kilcock Fully open?

I had a "discussion" with a person about the Leixlip to Maynooth part

He said.. I hope pedestrians aren't bullied off it by cyclists like they are now..

I said bullied no...but everyone should be aware of whats around them...

I always ding my bell and have early ended up in the canal as pedestrians dont hear (headphones) or just dont move at-all..

Mercian Pro · 29-01-2019 8:37pm

Deep Thought wrote: »

is the Maynooth to Kilcock Fully open?.

Yes. Updates on the Royal Canal Greenway are over at https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057747877/21/#post109267619
and on the Royal Canal Greenway Facebook page.
There are currently works underway between Collinstown and Deey Bridge on the Leixlip to Maynooth section; between Ferran's Lock and Cloncurry on the Kilcock to Enfield stretch and just before Fureys Bar at Moyvalley. All of these are scheduled to be completed by March/April.

Corca Baiscinn · 29-01-2019 8:40pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

In fairness to the County Councils, a lot of those sections on the Royal Canal have their standard quarter-open gates on them. Most between Mullingar and Longford were locked part-open when I cycled there before Christmas and presumably only householders on the stretch have keys. It's a bit annoying having to slow right down to get through, and I don't know how suitable they are for cyclists on cargo bikes or with trailers, but they do keep the cars away..

We met one completely locked gate on Royal in Co Longford but can't recall exact location. We had to manoeuvre the bikes around the verge next to the water but another other than a standard bike would have had to turn back. There was a house there so maybe the owners would have opened it but there as no sign like you sometimes see at unmanned OPW sites telling you where to ask for a key

Carawaystick · 30-01-2019 12:58am

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Anyone done the Newry Canal Greenway? How much is it off road?

Almost all of it is off road, theres a bit near Jerretspass which is a cul de sac for cars and a section from Jerretspass on very small local roads. We passed one car the whole way from Newry to Portadown. including the Canal bank bit in Newry

Theres a few busy road crossings mind

It finishes very near to Portadown train station and bikes go free on trains there.

vargoo · 09-03-2019 12:00am

Has anybody done from Abbeyshrule to Ballynacarrigy to Mullingar?

On normal google map the trail/road bit isin't there, it ends half way?

Carawaystick · 09-03-2019 12:50pm

vargoo wrote: »

Has anybody done from Abbeyshrule to Ballynacarrigy to Mullingar?

On normal google map the trail/road bit isin't there, it ends half way?

Its tarred in the western part and changes to dust near Coolnahay lock iirc, heading towards Mullingar

And then it intersects with the Rail trail at Ballinea where you van take the baby smooth rail greenway or the canal into Mullingar

vargoo · 09-03-2019 4:58pm

Carawaystick wrote: »

Its tarred in the western part and changes to dust near Coolnahay lock iirc, heading towards Mullingar

And then it intersects with the Rail trail at Ballinea where you van take the baby smooth rail greenway or the canal into Mullingar

Lovely, thanks.

slideshow bob · 09-03-2019 6:23pm

Carawaystick wrote: »

Its tarred in the western part and changes to dust near Coolnahay lock iirc, heading towards Mullingar

And then it intersects with the Rail trail at Ballinea where you van take the baby smooth rail greenway or the canal into Mullingar

It’s pretty good for most of it, with stretch of 4-5k that’s a bit gritty. Really lovely spin mind, and much more interesting than the rail greenway.

I did the Old Rail Trail–Royal Canal from here a few weeks back:
http://threerockbooks.com/index.php/cycling/

You’re looking at the first part of that route in reverse.

magicbastarder · 10-04-2019 10:16pm

nilhg wrote: »

In other news I see that Waterways Ireland have appealed the decision of Kildare, Laois and Carlow county councils to refuse permission on the river section of the Barrow Blueway, it's with ABP now so it's hard to see anything happening even on the bits that have permission (the canal section) this year.

ABP have refused permission for the barrow blueway:

An Bórd Pleanala have announced their decision in relation to the controvertial Barrow Blueway this afternoon.

Permission has been refused.

An order has been made by An Bórd Pleanala today (Wednesday) refusing permission for the 115km 'multi-use shared leisure route.'

The proposed development was to be located along the existing navigation tow path, which is a National Waymarked Way. The route traverses parts of counties Kildare and Laois as well as Carlow.

https://www.carlowlive.ie/news/home/375222/bord-pleanala-announce-decision-on-barrow-blue-way.html

nilhg · 10-04-2019 10:38pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

ABP have refused permission for the barrow blueway:

An Bórd Pleanala have announced their decision in relation to the controvertial Barrow Blueway this afternoon.

Permission has been refused.

An order has been made by An Bórd Pleanala today (Wednesday) refusing permission for the 115km 'multi-use shared leisure route.'

The proposed development was to be located along the existing navigation tow path, which is a National Waymarked Way. The route traverses parts of counties Kildare and Laois as well as Carlow.

https://www.carlowlive.ie/news/home/375222/bord-pleanala-announce-decision-on-barrow-blue-way.html

My understanding is that it's only the river section from Athy south that's been refused, the canal section from Lowtown to Athy already had PP and I think that stands.

https://kfmradio.com/node/96724

Hopefully I'm correct, I haven't had sight of the full APB decision myself yet and the canal section will go ahead shortly

riddlinrussell · 11-04-2019 10:43am

nilhg wrote: »

My understanding is that it's only the river section from Athy south that's been refused, the canal section from Lowtown to Athy already had PP and I think that stands.

https://kfmradio.com/node/96724

Hopefully I'm correct, I haven't had sight of the full APB decision myself yet and the canal section will go ahead shortly

Yes its disappointing, but I do think it would be a bit pointless to do the work if its going to have a huge impact on wildlife along the stretch, hoping they go back with a bound surface that wont be affected by flooding, and maybe look at the old railway line south of Mhuine Beag as an alternative route for that section.

tigerboon · 11-04-2019 11:11am

vargoo wrote: »

Has anybody done from Abbeyshrule to Ballynacarrigy to Mullingar?

On normal google map the trail/road bit isin't there, it ends half way?

You can keep to the canal the whole way to Mullingar. It's surfaced except for a few km from Abbeyshrule air strip towards Ballynacarrigy which has a quarry dust finish but still ok

Weepsie · 12-04-2019 11:25am

I'm a bit in favour of not doing as much of the blueway as proposed. It's perfectly passable on certain bikes, and by walking and a lot of it has been reclaimed anyway and has a lot of habitat. Tarmaccing it over for the entire length (unless it was some more sympathetic pathway) would be a horrible mistake.

Weepsie · 12-04-2019 11:26am

Also, how close to Dublin can I get from Mullingar following the canal on a road bike?

Was thinking of doing Athlone to Mullingar on Sunday, and then following the canal from there to Maynooth at least and then go my own way.

Rechuchote · 12-04-2019 11:30am

riddlinrussell wrote: »

Yes its disappointing, but I do think it would be a bit pointless to do the work if its going to have a huge impact on wildlife along the stretch, hoping they go back with a bound surface that wont be affected by flooding, and maybe look at the old railway line south of Mhuine Beag as an alternative route for that section.

What would be the effect on wildlife, riddlin?

Here's a piece from the (London) Times about it:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/planners-put-spoke-in-wheel-of-long-distance-riverside-cycle-path-8hc5tb2sp

mloc123 · 12-04-2019 11:45am

Weepsie wrote: »

Also, how close to Dublin can I get from Mullingar following the canal on a road bike?

Was thinking of doing Athlone to Mullingar on Sunday, and then following the canal from there to Maynooth at least and then go my own way.

Currently you can get to Moyvalley (Furys pub), then 1-2km on road and back on the canal until after Enfield (Cloncurry)

riddlinrussell · 12-04-2019 11:57am

Rechuchote wrote: »

What would be the effect on wildlife, riddlin?

Here's a piece from the (London) Times about it:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/planners-put-spoke-in-wheel-of-long-distance-riverside-cycle-path-8hc5tb2sp

From the rejection of the planning it looks like the unbound gravel wasnt suitable for an area prone to flooding, interestingly, alongside the other rejection reasons it looks like they would have hit less trouble with a wider, fully tarmacked surface! Although I suspect that would also fail for environmental reasons due to greater impact and possibly nasties leaching out of flooded tarmac?

Does anyone know of an eco-friendly surface for flood prone areas that would still enable say... a city bike to traverse a greenway like this?
I'll be honest, I think from near Athy they will need to look at a railway adjacent solution.

magicbastarder · 12-04-2019 1:09pm

Rechuchote wrote: »

What would be the effect on wildlife, riddlin?

well, if it's a nice sylvan jaunt at the moment, putting in a 2m wide pathway, whether hard packed gravel or tarmac, would 'sanitise' the stretch, and probably involve some habitat destruction i'd guess; and that's not including the disruption during actual construction.
i'd be happy to leave well alone; greenways are good but that doesn't mean we should railroad them in along every waterway available. i'm kinda wary about these being used as a 'look what we're doing for cyclists' move when what cyclists need most is infrastructure in towns and cities, followed by infrastructure in the country.

nilhg · 12-04-2019 2:13pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

Yes its disappointing, but I do think it would be a bit pointless to do the work if its going to have a huge impact on wildlife along the stretch, hoping they go back with a bound surface that wont be affected by flooding, and maybe look at the old railway line south of Mhuine Beag as an alternative route for that section.

I can't see those old railway lines being a runner, a quick look at your map shows that in many places the line is completely gone and often runs across big agricultural fields.

Weepsie wrote: »

I'm a bit in favour of not doing as much of the blueway as proposed. It's perfectly passable on certain bikes, and by walking and a lot of it has been reclaimed anyway and has a lot of habitat. Tarmaccing it over for the entire length (unless it was some more sympathetic pathway) would be a horrible mistake.

I can't speak much about the riverside paths but I do know the canal sections close to me here, much of them are hardly pristine wildlife habitats quite often being used by farm machinery for access and in bad weather can be in poor enough condition.

Rechuchote wrote: »

What would be the effect on wildlife, riddlin?

Here's a piece from the (London) Times about it:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/planners-put-spoke-in-wheel-of-long-distance-riverside-cycle-path-8hc5tb2sp

riddlinrussell wrote: »

From the rejection of the planning it looks like the unbound gravel wasnt suitable for an area prone to flooding, interestingly, alongside the other rejection reasons it looks like they would have hit less trouble with a wider, fully tarmacked surface! Although I suspect that would also fail for environmental reasons due to greater impact and possibly nasties leaching out of flooded tarmac?

Does anyone know of an eco-friendly surface for flood prone areas that would still enable say... a city bike to traverse a greenway like this?
I'll be honest, I think from near Athy they will need to look at a railway adjacent solution.

I think finding a suitable surface is going to be a big hurdle for the riverside section to jump, but hopefully there's something suitable out there.

magicbastarder wrote: »

well, if it's a nice sylvan jaunt at the moment, putting in a 2m wide pathway, whether hard packed gravel or tarmac, would 'sanitise' the stretch, and probably involve some habitat destruction i'd guess; and that's not including the disruption during actual construction.
i'd be happy to leave well alone; greenways are good but that doesn't mean we should railroad them in along every waterway available. i'm kinda wary about these being used as a 'look what we're doing for cyclists' move when what cyclists need most is infrastructure in towns and cities, followed by infrastructure in the country.

All the canal sections have towpaths both sides, the blueway will be only on one side so it won't be like there's no refuge for any wildlife disrupted by the works, most of the banks both side of the path will quickly enough recover I would have thought

Weepsie · 12-04-2019 2:25pm

The barrow way is home to a few rare species of native butterflies. There's also been issues with nesting birds being disturbed, and as someone mentioned, any potential leeching into the river itself cant be good. They've already sent out warning to people who engage in water sports on it to be very careful about the equipment they bring onto the river, as some of it has been potentially contaminated and killed certain stocks.

May not mean much to any of us here but there are wider, and I think more important issues than simply opening up a trackway for people to traverse on.

riddlinrussell · 12-04-2019 3:02pm

nilhg wrote: »

I can't see those old railway lines being a runner, a quick look at your map shows that in many places the line is completely gone and often runs across big agricultural fields.

In many of those places the farmers essentially just 'moved in' to the land after the railway closed, legally they likely have ownership after so long in their possession (case in point the Kerry Greenway debacle) but I think if a major awareness campaign/charm offensive went out to them it could change their views on the idea. A lot of those old railway lines, even ones closed a long while ago, are currently being very seriously looked at by councils for routes so its not just my wishful thinking on the matter, the more successful greenways on old rail alignments the easier it will be to argue the case for future ones.

I think a huge boost would be Irish Rail working with the rail based greenways to encourage bike tourism by rail, have a carriage like in the Netherlands for 'greenway specials' to carry a rake of bikes and owners to the trailheads. (Obviously this is my own insane pipedream scenario but I reserve my right to wistful thinking)

Ray Bloody Purchase · 12-04-2019 3:41pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

I think a huge boost would be Irish Rail working with the rail based greenways to encourage bike tourism by rail, have a carriage like in the Netherlands for 'greenway specials' to carry a rake of bikes and owners to the trailheads. (Obviously this is my own insane pipedream scenario but I reserve my right to wistful thinking

Wistful thinking indeed. Bringing your bike anywhere on Irish Rail services is an adventure in itself. There's always a bit of suspense if you're actually going to get the bike on the train at all.

I'd to travel with my bike in the hallway before, standing all the way from Dublin to Athlone. I was lucky i got it on at all it seems as i was told by the guy with the sweets trolley on the train that i shouldn't have had it on if the two cycle racks on the train were already full.

nilhg · 12-04-2019 8:31pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

In many of those places the farmers essentially just 'moved in' to the land after the railway closed, legally they likely have ownership after so long in their possession (case in point the Kerry Greenway debacle) but I think if a major awareness campaign/charm offensive went out to them it could change their views on the idea. A lot of those old railway lines, even ones closed a long while ago, are currently being very seriously looked at by councils for routes so its not just my wishful thinking on the matter, the more successful greenways on old rail alignments the easier it will be to argue the case for future ones.

I think a huge boost would be Irish Rail working with the rail based greenways to encourage bike tourism by rail, have a carriage like in the Netherlands for 'greenway specials' to carry a rake of bikes and owners to the trailheads. (Obviously this is my own insane pipedream scenario but I reserve my right to wistful thinking)

One old line I always thought would have made a great greenway is the Naas-Baltinglass-Tullow line, lovely varied countryside, nice country towns to visit and in a fairly well populated part of the country, most of the road and river bridges are still there and sound and solid enough to take greenway traffic, so you'd imagine it's a no brainer but I just can't ever see it happening, I'll show two examples of why but there are loads more.

Here outside Dunlavin the old line runs parallel to the road, there are 3 houses built on it, move a little up and down on streetview and you'll see the old bridges still there.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.0770374,-6.6979559,3a,75y,205.43h,92.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-4J5uF4eZ_2nPs6GqJWZLw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here near Giltown, you'll see where a dairy enterprise is using the old railway underpasses to move their cows to and from pasture at milking times,

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.0967734,-6.7051848,661m/data=!3m1!1e3

Streetview from one bridge

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.0985139,-6.7046106,3a,75y,107.94h,97.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8HWscKx39OAdTo6uS0P3Bw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

On most of the other old railways that I'm aware of in my general area (Kildare, West Wicklow, Laois, Offaly) the story is the same, sure you could work around some of the obstacles but there are so many in most places I can't see it happening

riddlinrussell · 15-04-2019 11:07am

nilhg wrote: »

One old line I always thought would have made a great greenway is the Naas-Baltinglass-Tullow line, lovely varied countryside, nice country towns to visit and in a fairly well populated part of the country, most of the road and river bridges are still there and sound and solid enough to take greenway traffic, so you'd imagine it's a no brainer but I just can't ever see it happening, I'll show two examples of why but there are loads more.

Here outside Dunlavin the old line runs parallel to the road, there are 3 houses built on it, move a little up and down on streetview and you'll see the old bridges still there.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.0770374,-6.6979559,3a,75y,205.43h,92.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-4J5uF4eZ_2nPs6GqJWZLw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here near Giltown, you'll see where a dairy enterprise is using the old railway underpasses to move their cows to and from pasture at milking times,

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.0967734,-6.7051848,661m/data=!3m1!1e3

Streetview from one bridge

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.0985139,-6.7046106,3a,75y,107.94h,97.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8HWscKx39OAdTo6uS0P3Bw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

On most of the other old railways that I'm aware of in my general area (Kildare, West Wicklow, Laois, Offaly) the story is the same, sure you could work around some of the obstacles but there are so many in most places I can't see it happening

I'm not suggesting it would be particularly easy, but its been done in other areas (A good few houses on the Great Western needed to be bypassed). It really depends how successful the current push for greenways is and how much return Councils expect from them, Would love to be able to spin down to Baltinglass and beyond from Naas.

Rechuchote · 17-04-2019 10:00am

What's already starting is that farmers who were adamantly anti-greenway are starting to get greenbills green lights in their eyes as they see the existing greenways bringing tourist money to the areas where they exist.

It's been a hard start, but we'll soon be pushing an open door.

I particularly like the concept of wistful thinking, by the way.

De Bhál · 08-05-2019 11:20am

I'm thinking of cycling up from Graiguenamanagh this Sunday on the Barrow Way and the Grand Canal path. Would the grassed areas on the Barrow way be a bit too much of a slog this time of year.

I'd be on a CX bike.

Bluefoam · 08-05-2019 12:18pm

Any word on the Cherrywood - Cournelscourt greenway? I've been trying to find out if it's going ahead, but no luck so far... seems to have gone dead.

riddlinrussell · 08-05-2019 12:49pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

Any word on the Cherrywood - Cournelscourt greenway? I've been trying to find out if it's going ahead, but no luck so far... seems to have gone dead.

I couldn't tell you right off, for all I know its been completed and there was just zero fanfare about it, the local routes seldom get any major press. If someone was willing to swing by that route and give an update I'd be more than happy to add it to the completed list if its done!.

Bluefoam · 08-05-2019 12:53pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

I couldn't tell you right off, for all I know its been completed and there was just zero fanfare about it, the local routes seldom get any major press. If someone was willing to swing by that route and give an update I'd be more than happy to add it to the completed list if its done!.

It seems to be stalled. No work has been done on it. There is opposition from The Park housing estate, Brennanstown Square where the residents don't want it coming through and also by locals who don't want it going through Cabineteely Park...

riddlinrussell · 08-05-2019 12:59pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

It seems to be stalled. No work has been done on it. There is opposition from The Park housing estate, Brennanstown Square where the residents don't want it coming through and also by locals who don't want it going through Cabineteely Park...

The only thing I can see in DL&RCC docs is a short mention of "Cabinteely Park Masterplan Upgrades to 2 gate lodges, greenways, car park and entrance."

Bluefoam · 08-05-2019 1:19pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

The only thing I can see in DL&RCC docs is a short mention of "Cabinteely Park Masterplan Upgrades to 2 gate lodges, greenways, car park and entrance."

Heres the proposal: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1szF7NfED3Tx1nLh0ZcXfJ8_Lue0CKxL2

It would be great for locals, particularly with Cherrywood being developed and new leisure facilities there...

mazza · 08-05-2019 1:38pm

De Bhál wrote: »

I'm thinking of cycling up from Graiguenamanagh this Sunday on the Barrow Way and the Grand Canal path. Would the grassed areas on the Barrow way be a bit too much of a slog this time of year.

I'd be on a CX bike.

I did Dublin to St Mullins the weekend before last on Grand Canal - Barrow Navigation - Barrow.

For the most part there was a path with short / no grass, though some bits the grass was longer (like your garden before you cut the grass), but they were short enough stretches. Nothing major in the way of mud, mainly hardpacked and not sticky really. The entire route was fully passable, no detours.

I was on a hybrid with MTB tyres (2.3"), and full up-and-over panniers. Average speed of just over 10 kmph including all breaks (short-ish, none more than 20 mins). I was alone and did it over two long enough days. A slog? Yes, but sorta what I was there for!

Any queries, just let me know. Have a good time!

De Bhál · 08-05-2019 1:39pm

mazza wrote: »

I did Dublin to St Mullins the weekend before last on Grand Canal - Barrow Navigation - Barrow.

For the most part there was a path with short / no grass, though some bits the grass was longer (like your garden before you cut the grass), but they were short enough stretches. Nothing major in the way of mud, mainly hardpacked and not sticky really. The entire route was fully passable, no detours.

I was on a hybrid with MTB tyres (2.3"), and full up-and-over panniers. Average speed of just over 10 kmph including all breaks (short-ish, none more than 20 mins). I was alone and did it over two long enough days. A slog? Yes, but sorta what I was there for!

Any queries, just let me know. Have a good time!

fair play, thanks for the info

site_owner · 08-05-2019 4:17pm

https://twitter.com/CitizenW0lf/status/1122777380202983425

08-05-2019 4:32pm

Raven seems to be enjoying himself. Lovely dog. If I left my lad off the lead there he'd have been swimming to kilcock

De Bhál · 10-05-2019 4:36pm

mazza wrote: »

I did Dublin to St Mullins the weekend before last on Grand Canal - Barrow Navigation - Barrow.

Any queries, just let me know. Have a good time!

one query actually - can you recommend a place close to the canal about half way up for eating, doesn't need to be fancy, just a shop with a deli counter.

mazza · 10-05-2019 8:08pm

De Bhál wrote: »

one query actually - can you recommend a place close to the canal about half way up for eating, doesn't need to be fancy, just a shop with a deli counter.

How many days are you planning doing the trip over, as a matter of interest? Its 170km roughly from Dublin city centre to St Mullins on the canal, so a very long day been for a strong cyclist I'd say, given the terrain.

I was coming from North Dublin and stayed in Monasterevin and Borris, each about 80km cycling a day. (I could have finished it on Day 2 and taken the train back to Dublin but was meeting people the following day down there).

Places.to eat, I looked at options in Rathangan, but ended up eating in Monasterevin (all fast food). Borris is a couple of km off canal and has decent pub grub in a hotel on the main street. Not much help I think but that's all I tried!

Thing is that the canal and river generally go slap bang through the towns, so you just come up off it and you're right in the middle of town, shops, eats on hand. Athy, Carlow, Leighlinbridge should all have options, in varying degree.

Anything else just shout. I'd be interested to hear how it goes for you too. I really enjoyed my trip and took a lot from the whole experience

De Bhál · 10-05-2019 8:26pm

Weather permitting, the plan is one long day alright. Thanks again.

Rechuchote · 13-05-2019 1:57pm

What's happening about the various plans for cycle bridges across the Liffey to join up the long-awaited Dodder Greenway with the Clontarf Cycleway?

Budawanny · 13-05-2019 2:01pm

Rechuchote wrote: »

What's happening about the various plans for cycle bridges across the Liffey to join up the long-awaited Dodder Greenway with the Clontarf Cycleway?

The geosurveying barge has been doing test drilling at three sites over the last year, one at the scherzer bridge widening at guild street, one at the proposed bridge at Forbes street, and the third is still present at the mouth of the Dodder , the one to connect the Liffey cycle way with S2S and the Dodder greenway.

Mefistofelino · 16-05-2019 11:50am

The Great Southern Trail will be closed at Barnagh (approximately mid-way between Newcastlewest and Templeglantine) for approximately two months from this week as they route the greenway via the Barnagh railway tunnel. AFAIK, it should just detour users via the main road for a couple of km.

(I rode the length of the greenway last week and there was just one sign about the closure, located probably 15km away from it. Hopefully more signage has been added.)

Tigerandahalf · 16-05-2019 2:16pm

Are there any plans to extend the GS trail beyond Rathkeale and into Limerick? I presume the old Patrickswell road (bypassed since) could be an option?

keane2097 · 16-05-2019 2:34pm

Speaking of Limerick Greenway, this aspirational article may be of interest

https://hlymrekr.com/2018/10/19/time-for-a-treaty-city-greenway/

G-monee · 21-05-2019 9:17pm

Hi!
Can anyone help my with some advice for an upcoming bike trip over the bank holiday?

Day 1: Heading from Drumcondra along Royal Canal to Mullingar, Greenway to Athlone, them on to Shannon harbour.

Does anyone have suggestions for a quietish route from Athlone to Shannon Harbour? Any ideas I get from Google maps are on main roads which I'm hoping to avoid.

Day 2 is back to Dublin along the Grand Canal so it's straight forward enough. Hopefully arrive on time to see Liverpool crush Spurs!ðŸ˜œ

Thanks in advance for any help!

mr spuckler · 22-05-2019 1:24pm

G-monee wrote: »

Hi!
Can anyone help my with some advice for an upcoming bike trip over the bank holiday?

Day 1: Heading from Drumcondra along Royal Canal to Mullingar, Greenway to Athlone, them on to Shannon harbour.

Does anyone have suggestions for a quietish route from Athlone to Shannon Harbour? Any ideas I get from Google maps are on main roads which I'm hoping to avoid.

Day 2 is back to Dublin along the Grand Canal so it's straight forward enough. Hopefully arrive on time to see Liverpool crush Spurs!&#55357;&#56860;

Thanks in advance for any help!

what type of bike are you on and how much of the section before Moyvalley are you expecting to do along the canal?
I'm hoping to head down to Athlone on my road bike (my folks live there) some day soon and then back up the following day but afaik will be on road until Maynooth, then on and off Greenway until Moyvalley at which point you can go completely along the canal to Mullingar then Old Rail Trail Greenway to Athlone.

Ryath · 22-05-2019 2:59pm

G-monee wrote: »

Does anyone have suggestions for a quietish route from Athlone to Shannon Harbour? Any ideas I get from Google maps are on main roads which I'm hoping to avoid.

I'd come off the greenway a few k outside Moate it's a nice road nearly all the way bar a very short section on the N52 just before Ballinahown. You could come of either in Moate and go Castledally through the Doon cross roads but the road surface from Doon to where you turn for Belmont is desperate.

Hopefully link works!
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Moate,+Co.+Westmeath,+Ireland/Ballynahown,+County+Westmeath,+Ireland/Clonony+Beg,+Shannon+Harbour,+Co.+Offaly,+Ireland/@53.3107415,-7.9749708,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x485db37c5ec8497d:0xa00c7a99731cea0!2m2!1d-7.7186188!2d53.3949987!1m5!1m1!1s0x485c4c32db9cc907:0xa00c7a997319cb0!2m2!1d-7.8488925!2d53.3506786!1m5!1m1!1s0x485c5a064768273f:0x2600c7a819bae312!2m2!1d-7.9510616!2d53.2219454!3e1

G-monee · 24-05-2019 8:15am

mr spuckler wrote: »

what type of bike are you on and how much of the section before Moyvalley are you expecting to do along the canal?
I'm hoping to head down to Athlone on my road bike (my folks live there) some day soon and then back up the following day but afaik will be on road until Maynooth, then on and off Greenway until Moyvalley at which point you can go completely along the canal to Mullingar then Old Rail Trail Greenway to Athlone.

I'll be on a gravel bike with 35mm tyres. I cycled past Moyvalley asking the canal a few months ago. There was a good bit of single track which was quite muddy at the time so a road bike wouldn't have made it. It's a great route to have though - good excuse to go and visit the folks too!

G-monee · 24-05-2019 8:17am

Ryath wrote: »

I'd come off the greenway a few k outside Moate it's a nice road nearly all the way bar a very short section on the N52 just before Ballinahown. You could come of either in Moate and go Castledally through the Doon cross roads but the road surface from Doon to where you turn for Belmont is desperate.

Hopefully link works!
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Moate,+Co.+Westmeath,+Ireland/Ballynahown,+County+Westmeath,+Ireland/Clonony+Beg,+Shannon+Harbour,+Co.+Offaly,+Ireland/@53.3107415,-7.9749708,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x485db37c5ec8497d:0xa00c7a99731cea0!2m2!1d-7.7186188!2d53.3949987!1m5!1m1!1s0x485c4c32db9cc907:0xa00c7a997319cb0!2m2!1d-7.8488925!2d53.3506786!1m5!1m1!1s0x485c5a064768273f:0x2600c7a819bae312!2m2!1d-7.9510616!2d53.2219454!3e1

That's great!! Thanks a lot. Link worked too. I'll defo be giving that a try.

Thanks again!

riddlinrussell · 04-06-2019 12:58pm

Completed the Waterford Greenway and Carrick-on-Suir/Clonmel Blueway over the weekend gone. Both amazing routes, great scenery etc. But the difference in quality was very apparent.

Waterford was absolutely excellent surface for the entire length, wide enough along its entire length (barring Kilmeaden station) to easily accommodate the passing of pedestrians and other cyclists with no conflicts.

The Blueway surface was good for the most part but quality changed abruptly along the route and the section near Carrick was very poorly maintained concrete. Much narrower so more potential for conflict, although in most places two cyclists could pass one another with reasonable care, obviously I wouldn't expect the path to be as wide as it is in Waterford given the more environmentally sensitive nature of the river, but would be good to see it achieve a consistent width and quality for the entire length. There looked to be works ongoing so hopefully time will show improvement in what is a really fantastic route.

As a side note I was also in WIcklow town last week and was amazed by the quality of roadside cycleway around the town, currently in the process of adding it to the maps, but the outskirts of the town at least are extremely well catered for (for Ireland).

PFitz86 · 25-06-2019 2:32pm

Hi riddlinrussell

how did you develop this map ? and have you got this data spatially - can you pm me would like to know more on the data.

Greenway Map

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