Comment & Analysis: The Limerick Greenway has been open now for a few years. Earlier this year, Rónán Gallagher cycled the route, and here he outlines what he spotted along the way.
While the Limerick Greenway was officially opened in 2021, the trail had existed for many years and was maintained by a local community group. In 2015, Limerick City and County Council officially took charge of the trail and created an innovative plan to upgrade the route. Six years later, after an investment of €10 million, it opened during Covid, and within months, it had become very popular with both local people and visitors alike.
The greenway connects the main south Limerick towns of Rathkeale, Newcastle West, and Abbeyfeale.
Cycling towards the county bounds with Kerry, a further 14km enables the cyclist (or walker) to connect into Listowel in North Kerry. As it stands, Kerry County Council has begun the route selection process to extend the route into Tralee. From Rathkeale to Listowel, the distance is approximately 50km.
So, what’s there to see along the way? In the renovated Rathkeale railway station, you can learn about the Irish Palatine movement from the exhibition in the old station. Although the whole development has yet to be completed, once finished, the station will be a fantastic addition to the town’s amenities.
The old railway infrastructure along the route towards Newcastle West has been maintained. Numerous bridges are intact, and the Old Railway Station at Ardagh has been renovated.
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In Newcastle West, Desmond Castle is of interest, as is Cahermoyle House. Near the Church of the Immaculate Conception is the War of Independence memorial that remembers local volunteers who were killed during the War of Independence and Civil War.
From Newcastle West to Abbeyfeale, one cycles over Ferguson’s Viaduct and through the 115-metre-long Barnagh Tunnel. The tunnel is accessed via the underpass to the Platform 22 Café. If you don’t know it’s there, then it’s a pleasant surprise to stumble upon it. Its setting is breathtaking.
From Barnagh towards Listowel, the journey takes us through Tullig Wood with its native elm and oak trees. It’s a beautiful and tranquil location.
Kudos goes to the local authority for the route from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale and onwards to the county boundary with Kerry. Limerick City and County Council is to be commended for the infrastructure and signage on the route. The surface is fantastic (bitmac), and providing information on townlands (and their Old Irish origins) is a nice touch. It really is a joy to cycle on.
However, while Kerry County Council has connected Listowel to the Limerick Greenway, the bound surface is not laid to the same standard. It is not constructed to the level provided in Limerick, and signage – directional or informational – is rarely provided. The section in Kerry is in stark contrast to the ‘A’ standard provided in Limerick.
The main towns along the route have interest for a stopover, but access from the greenway to each of them is very poor. There are no dedicated cycling lanes to/from the greenway, and when in the respective town centres, very few bike amenities are provided. Each town remains dominated by motorised traffic. Leaving the greenway and cycling into and out of the respective town centres was not pleasant at all.
Speaking to people walking and cycling on the greenway, it was obvious that the route was also developing as a commuter route. Several conversations informed us that friends or relatives were cycling to their place of work, and the route was also being used by schoolchildren. While tourism is important (and the primary driver until now for developing greenways), their long-term viability will be determined by how much they are used as commuter routes.
Would I go back again and cycle the Limerick (and Listowel) Greenway? Absolutely yes! But it is important now for the local authorities in Kerry and Limerick to develop and create safe, segregated linkages into the towns, that are at the very heart of this route, to ensure their continued success.
Rónán Gallagher has been a cycling advocate for 30 years. He is the founder of the Wee Greenway Initiative, the 100km Inishowen greenway project that begins and ends in Derry City, which is now included in Project Ireland 2040. The first 18km have been constructed with the remaining sections being developed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in conjunction with Donegal County Council. Now living in Killarney, he has previously worked for Four Courts Press and Donegal County Council, and is currently a freelance marketing and communications consultant specialising in bike tourism. He can be reached at [email protected].




It’s a lovely cycle, a credit to everyone involved, following the old railway route. The surface is brilliant and there are loads of things to see. The tunnel and the defile at the Barnagh Gap is really unique, and the Visitor’s Centre there is tops.
Now here’s an interesting point!!
If I had to cycle from Rathkeale to Newcastlewest (or Abbeyfeale) along the main road I’d consider it a bit of a chore – a longish distance. Along the Greenway it’s a doddle.
Looks great. Is that a cyclists dismount sign? That is about as useful as telling drivers to stop, get out of their car and push it through the Dublin Port Tunnel.
We did just a short section of the Greenway in September and I concur with Ronan’s evaluation. The bike hire and food service at the Bearnagh Hub were excellent and the staff very pleasant. The route really was very interesting and it was amazing to move from the noisy section parallel to the National Road to the quiet section with lots of trees. We noticed a diy desire line access point from a housing estate in Newcastlewest! However I agree access from the towns and even villages leaves a lot to be desired. If you were visiting the area you might decide to stay in the Devon Inn in Templeglantine and find a distinct lack of pedestrian crossings form there across the N21 in the direction of the Greenway. We had an absolutely brilliant Tour for 2 of the OPW restored Desmond Castle Ronan mentioned and would highly recommend it.
One positive about the Greenway was that while tourists are needed to boost the economy on a damp Sunday morning it was also clearly being used by locals with both joggers, cyclists and family groups with buggies in evidence. the Greenway will come into its own when it is connected to Limerick City.
Interesting to read some of the replies to my article. The psychology of infrastructure is very interesting. As ‘Larry’ states, some people wouldn’t dream of cycling along the road (even if it were safe) because of the perceived distance, but on the greenway, it’s not a challenge. Joan is correct in saying the this type of infrastructure is being used by local residents, and that’s where it will succeed. Tourism is a bonus, but all these routes need to make sense from a local’s perspective, thus encouraging adults to cycle to their work, or children to get on the bike and head to school. My local school (Killarney) regularly has about 10 bikes in the bike shed, from a total pupil population of over 700 kids. Our challenge, as a society, is to change that statistic.
Having gone to school in Rathkeale, I’m afraid to say that I would see the greenway having little impact on how 99% of students would get to any of the schools in Rathkeale. I think too many cycling advocates’ have rose tinted views on the efficacy or potential of greenways as transport facilities. I’ve cycled this greenway a number of times and I cannot see too many people using it for anything other than a leisure purpose. What’s kinda sad is that the abandoned BMX track in Newcastle West has been repurposed as a car park for the greenway. Greenways = car reliant leisure facilities.
If, as the article notes, the design does not inherently include connectivity to the urban centres along its route then yes – greenways tend to be car-focused tourist infra. Sadly, many councils see them through the lens of tourist and leisure trips, not commuting potential. Hence why even with urban ones built in e.g. Dublin, they tend to be shared paths etc. Awful lack of vision.
Yes – you are right. It’s primarily a leisure facility, as are most of the Greenways and Blueways around the country, including those proposed. (For example, Limerick to Scarriff). When I got to Rathkeale the Greenway ended, and I cycled to Adare along the N21. It was very busy, including lorries. Much of it was without a hard shoulder, and quite dangerous for cyclists.