WATCH: 130Km Royal Canal Greenway officially launches this morning
The Royal Canal Greenway, a scenic 130km walking and cycling amenity stretching alongside the historic 225-year-old canal, officially launches today ahead of the summer 2021 season.
The €12 million project co-ordinated by Waterways Ireland is the country’s longest Greenway, traversing through Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford. (Those wishing to experience the Royal Canal Greenway are advised to adhere to Government guidelines on movement and social distancing.)
The Royal Canal Greenway is a former towpath for barges featuring 90 bridges, 33 locks, 17 harbours and four aqueducts.
Greenway users can choose to complete the entire 130km flat, off-road trail in one visit or explore the shorter designated routes — ranging from 6km to 15km — between the 14 connecting access points and towns.
High-profile attractions linking onto the Royal Canal Greenway are trails to Carton House in Maynooth; Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre — one of the largest prehistoric roads in Europe — in Longford; and Center Parcs.
The 165km self-guided National Famine Way also travels largely along the Greenway, following the footsteps of 1,490 emigrants who walked from Roscommon to Dublin at the peak of the famine in 1847.
Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD will officially launch the greenway this morning.
Westmeath County Council Chief Executive, Pat Gallagher said: “The Royal Canal Greenway will firmly establish this region as a key tourism location and will be transformative for many businesses.
"The greenway shines a light on what Westmeath has to offer and the pure bliss and tranquillity there is here. Those wishing to take a leisurely journey can travel from Killucan to McNead’s Bridge and on to Mullingar, Coolnahay Harbour and Ballynacarrigy.
"Once it is safe to travel in the country again, we welcome visitors to journey along this great Greenway and experience the gem that is Westmeath.”
The Royal Canal Greenway also forms part of EuroVelo 2, a 5,000km Capitals Route that passes through Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Belarus and Russia.
For more on the Royal Canal Greenway visit www.royalcanalgreenway.org.
To follow on social media, use the hashtag #RoyalCanalGreenway
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About the Royal Canal Greenway
The Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath, ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages.
Starting in Maynooth, it follows the 225-year-old canal through Enfield and Mullingar to charming in Longford, passing cafés, picnic spots and attractions along the way.
Rustic and industrial landscapes combine, with rolling fields, pretty waterside villages, working locks and historic landmarks.
Cycle between any of the main towns and return by train to where you started. Follow where once horse-drawn barges journeyed and keep an eye out for hidden wildlife wonders along the way.
While the ambition is to deliver a Royal Canal Greenway that commences at Spencer Dock Dublin, it is not currently possible to cycle along all of the route from Dublin city to Maynooth, due to works ongoing or in planning.
That section of the Royal Canal Greenway has a longer timescale to completion. The works on the Towpath are being completed in phases as they are dependent on design, planning approval, funding confirmation and contractor appointment.
In particular there are technical difficulties associated with the section around the 'Deep Sinking'. There are multiple partners involved: led by the National Transport Authority, working with Waterways Ireland and the local authorities.
This complexity means accurate completion date for individual stages cannot be given at this time.