Work began on the construction of the 146km long Royal Canal in 1790. I haven’t cycled a bike in years, can I still do the trail? Email: customercare@kildarecoco.ie. We have made it easy for you to organise your own independent cycle trip and recommend three to four days to enjoy the full length of the Royal Canal Greenway. Starting in Mullingar Harbour, the Royal Canal’s Blueway trail travels 12km east to McNeads Bridge and 11km west to Coolnahay Harbour. A great place to stop along this section of trail is the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre located close to the Greenway at Keenagh. − The delivery of Greenway projects as specified in the Greater Dublin Cycle Network. A section of the new Royal Canal Greenway from Maynooth to Kilcock has opened for public use today. One of the biggest towns along the Royal Canal Greenway, Longford offers lots of great accommodation options and places to eat and drink after a busy day walking or cycling along the Greenway. The estate comprises the fully restored Georgian house itself, a Victorian walled garden and an 18th century designed parkland punctuated with Romantic follies, including the largest in Ireland – the Jealous Wall. As a resident of Maynooth and a long distance runner I have come to find the Royal Canal the greatest amenity in Maynooth. Famous for its musical heritage, ancient myths and legends and its surrounding lakes, Mullingar offers great shopping, accommodation and outdoor experiences. A 4km Loch Owel spur runs northwards from the Royal Canal Greenway at Mullingar to the picturesque banks of Loch Owel. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Yes! As with all of Ireland's waterways the canal passes through some of Europe's most beautiful countryside and, whether you are on a boat, or simply on foot, you'll have ample opportunity to enjoy it all. The Royal Canal passes through 5 counties, Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford. For hundreds of years it was the home of the Fitzgerald family – the Dukes of Leinster who were the centre of power in Ireland for centuries and built local landmarks Maynooth Castle and Carton House. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Plans are well underway to continue the Old Rail Trail as far as Galway – creating a direct off road route between Dublin and Galway! Construction of the Greenway from the Dublin border to Maynooth, County Kildare is due to be completed by the end of 2021 but Covid 19 may impact the completion date. To date, over 100km of the Royal Canal Greenway is accessible, it heads west from Dublin’s north side, along the border of Counties Meath and Kildare, … A converted stretch of the Midlands Great Western Railway carved through rich fertile farmland, the Old Rail Trail Greenway leads visitors through the very heart of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Their experienced team have designed tours to cater for all ages and abilities through the towns, villages, countryside and wildlife of Ireland’s Ancient East and Hidden Heartlands. Can I do the trail with young kids? For more on Mullingar see: (link to Mullingar section Old Rail Trail page). Maynooth Harbour is a triangle shaped harbour with a slipway on the town side. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Remember to Leave no Trace. One trail, endless discoveries. Some superstitions along the canal have also survived – the 13th Lock for example, is reputed to be haunted – the old boatmen would never moor there overnight. Please note that the pedals on an electric bike still need to be peddled so is not suitable for users with problematic knees. In 2019 the Greenway will open from Maynooth in Kildare to the Shannon River. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Pointing to the success of the Western Greenway in Mayo, which attracted 45,000 visitors in its first year and added €7m to the local economy, as well as creating 38 new full-time jobs, she said the Royal Canal Greenway “is a project will transform the towns, villages and communities along the [route] and in doing so restore the health and prosperity of the region”. The Royal Canal Greenway is generally level and surfaced. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The historic River Boyne enters County Meath near Longwood, where you can also connect with the Boyne Blueway Trim. Guided tours are available daily by passionate locals. Web: http://mullingarbikehire.com/Email: info@mullingarbikehire.com Tel: +353 (087) 992 3409. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It may have been a section of a ceremonial highway connecting the Hill of Uisneach, the ritual centre of Ireland, and the royal site of Rathcroghan. Minister for Transport, Shane Ross the Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport says " This provides a timely opportunity for people to walk or cycle off any excess calories incurred during the festive season. Dublin – Ireland’s vibrant capital, is located at the mouth of the River Liffey on the country’s east coast. With 130km of dedicated cycling route, it’s the longest Greenway in Ireland and stretches from Maynooth in county Kildare through Meath, Westmeath and Longford taking you through Ireland’s Ancient East and into the Hidden Heartlands. This section of Greenway takes you through open countryside. This is twice the length of either the Waterford or Westport Greenways (both about 45 km) the two best known cycle-ways in the country. The tours takes in the 2,000 year-old bog road and museum at Corlea Trackway, the1840s Famine Walk on the Royal Canal, a visit Strokestown Park House and National Famine Museum and Gardens and a visit to a 13th century Norman castle. While Maynooth Harbour provides moorings for barges and fishing access with a picnic area and playground close by. The Royal Canal is another fascinating walkway running from Ashtown, Co Dublin all the way to the Shannon. Starting in cosmopolitan Maynooth, it follows the 200 year old canal through friendly Enfield and lively Mullingar to charming Cloondara in Longford, with cafés, picnic spots and attractions along the way. Maynooth is half an hour from Dublin city by car or train. From Mullingar, you can also access the Old Rail Trail which runs along the route of an old rail track between Mullingar and Athlone. Belvedere House is situated within an abundant 160-acre lakeside estate just 5km south of Mullingar on the N52. Greenways Ireland was set up to promote greenways all over Ireland. The Royal Canal Greenway is a scenic 130km walking and cycling amenity stretching alongside the historic 225-year-old canal - the country’s longest Greenway, traversing through Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford.