Cork Greenway – Midleton to Youghal | Cork

Overview

Ride the Cork Greenway from Midleton to Youghal rather than the other way round: you start beside the Jameson Distillery and finish at the sea, with Youghal’s medieval town walls and 18th-century clock tower waiting at the far end. The route runs 23 km along the bed of the disused Cork-Youghal railway, traffic-free the whole way, flat to gently graded and paved end to end, so it works as well for a road bike as for a pushchair. It crosses rolling farmland and native woodland and threads through Mogeely and Killeagh on the way to the coast, all within Ireland’s Ancient East.

A couple leans on a railing overlooking a pasture with cows and stone ruins in the distance. — Cork Greenway, Co Cork Courtesy Failte Ireland

History and development

A greenway on the old Cork and Youghal Railway was first floated in the early 2000s. In July 2015 Irish Rail confirmed it would not reopen the line for trains but backed a greenway, which cut maintenance costs while keeping the option of reinstating rail later.

Funding of €15 million was secured in 2020 and work began that April, despite pandemic delays. The first 8 km from Midleton to Mogeely opened in March 2024; the final 15 km – Mogeely, Killeagh, Youghal – opened on 19 December 2024. In 2025 Cork County Council received a further €500k from the national €7m Greenways allocation for maintenance and works such as the native-tree planting programme.

The greenway forms part of the EuroVelo 1 Atlantic Coast route, and there are longer-term plans to connect it westward to a proposed Cork-to-Kinsale Greenway.

A paved path runs alongside a gravel strip with young trees, next to a building with tiered concrete benches. — Midleton Greenway, Mogeely, Co. Cork Courtesy Sarah McMahon, Failte Ireland

Cycling and walking

The paved surface is flat to gentle and takes road bikes, hybrids, e-bikes and wheelchairs. A cycle end to end typically runs 1.5 to 2 hours; on foot, allow about 3 hours one way. One honest caveat: this is new and still maturing, so the native trees and hedgerows planted along the corridor give little shade yet – on a hot, exposed day, bring water and don’t expect cover.

The Youghal end pays off if you like history. A heritage map there points you to the 18th-century clock tower, sections of the medieval town walls and the remains of Templemichael Castle.

A tall stone tower with a clock and archway stands at the end of a street lined with shops. — The Clock Gate, Youghal, Co Cork ©Tourism Ireland

Food and drink

Connect Coffee in Killeagh sits right on the route. In Youghal, the community market runs on Saturday mornings with artisan cheeses and fresh bread. At the Midleton end, the Jameson Distillery visitor centre is the obvious stop. Blackwater River cruises also depart from Youghal if you want the estuary from the water.

Getting there and practical information

Access points – Trailheads at Midleton Station, Mogeely, Killeagh and the MacCurtainstown car park in Youghal. All are signposted with free parking.

Public transport – Midleton is on regular Irish Rail services from Cork city (about 20 minutes). Youghal is served by Bus Éireann routes 232 and 236 from Cork and Waterford, and by the N25 for drivers.

Bike hire – Cork Bike Hire operates in both Midleton and Youghal, with traditional and electric bikes that can be collected at one end and returned at the other.

Facilities – Toilets at Midleton Station, Killeagh (near Connect Coffee) and the Youghal car park. Picnic tables and benches roughly every 2 km. The path is lit at major junctions for early or late use.

Accessibility – Smooth and level, wheelchair-friendly and fine for pushchairs.

Opening hours – Open year-round, free to use.

Beyond the greenway

Jameson Distillery, Midleton – Guided tours of the whiskey process, with tastings.
Fota Wildlife Park – About a 10-minute drive from Midleton.
Cobh – The historic port town, home to the Titanic Experience, a short drive away.