Dublin‑Galway Greenway

Overview

The Dublin‑Galway Greenway is Ireland’s most ambitious coast‑to‑coast greenway project. When fully completed it will form the western leg of EuroVelo 2 (EV2), a 5,000 km cycling route that runs from Galway to Moscow. At present roughly 130 km of the route are open to the public, linking Dublin’s city centre with the historic towns of Maynooth, Mullingar, Athlone and the emerging sections towards Galway. The trail is a mixture of canal towpaths, repurposed railway corridors and newly constructed traffic‑free sections, all designed for cyclists, walkers and families.

Recent July 2024 opening

In July 2024 Dublin City Council officially opened the northern towpath of the Royal Canal Greenway between Cross Guns Bridge (Glasnevin) and Binns Bridge (Drumcondra). The work included:

• resurfacing the entire towpath alongside the railway line,
• a new pedestrian‑and‑cycle bridge at Lock 3, and
• the southern towpath from Glengarriff Parade to the former Spain’s warehouse.

The remaining stretch from the Spain’s warehouse to Binns Bridge will reopen once the Dorset Street Lower toucan crossing is completed.

Ongoing works between Leixlip and Maynooth

Kildare County Council confirmed that civil‑engineering works continue on the Royal Canal Greenway from Louisa Bridge, Leixlip to Maynooth Harbour. Upgrades to the R406 Straffan Road at Mullen Bridge are scheduled from early July 2024, with traffic management in place.

History & Development

The concept was first announced in 2012 by then‑Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, who highlighted the need for a cross‑country off‑road cycle route to boost tourism. Funding from the Department of Transport and later from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has driven a phased rollout:

The route is divided into recognizable sections:

• Dublin City to Ashtown – Begins at Spencer Dock, follows the canal towpath, includes the “Deep Sinking” stretch (currently unsuitable for amateurs).
• Royal Canal Way – Extends from Ashtown through Maynooth Harbour, linking Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford.
• Westmeath Way – Planned connection from the Meath‑Westmeath border to Ballinea, south‑west of Mullingar.
• Mullingar‑Athlone – A rail‑trail on the disused Mullingar‑Athlone line, featuring refurbished stations at Moate and Castletown Geoghegan. The section from the white‑gates level crossing to Athlone Marina opened in October 2021.
• Athlone‑Galway – Still in the planning stage; the preferred “Route 5” will pass through Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe, Clonfert, Meelick, Portumna, Gort, Kinvara, Coole Park and Oranmore before reaching Galway city.

Recent Developments (2023‑2024)

• Royal Canal Greenway Phase 3 – Work started in February 2023 and culminated in the July 2024 opening of the northern towpath between Cross Guns Bridge (Glasnevin) and Binns Bridge (Drumcondra). The section includes a new pedestrian‑and‑cycle bridge at Lock 3 and resurfaced towpath alongside the railway line.
• New bridge at Lock 3 – Lifted into place in August 2022 and opened to the public as part of the Phase 3 works, providing a safe crossing for cyclists and walkers.
• Shannon bridge in Athlone – The 2023‑opened bridge offers panoramic river views and direct access to the new Athlone Marina.
• Enhanced amenities – Lighting, bike racks, seating, picnic tables and interpretive signage were installed along the newly opened sections in 2023‑24, making the route more user‑friendly for families and commuters alike.

What to See & Do

Canal‑side serenity

The Royal Canal towpath offers flat, traffic‑free riding with abundant wildlife. Recent works (July 2024) added a new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Lock 3 and resurfaced the northern towpath alongside the railway line. Cyclists can pause at historic lock‑houses, enjoy picnic spots near Binns Bridge, or explore the restored Spain’s warehouse area.

Heritage rail‑trail experiences

The Mullingar‑Athlone segment follows the old Midland Great Western Railway. Restored station houses at Moate and Castletown Geoghegan provide photo‑ops, while the Streamstown railway station is being converted into a café (funding approved 2022). At Athlone, the new Shannon bridge (opened 2023) offers spectacular river views and direct access to the Athlone Marina.

Community attractions

• Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park – a short detour near Athlone, ideal for families.
• Bee Pollinator Trail at Streamstown – a themed walk highlighting local biodiversity.
• Jack’s Stop Café – housed in the restored Streamstown station, serving light meals and a playground for children.
• Abbey Graveyard in Athlone – an audio‑guided walk through a 17th‑century burial site, accessible via a downloadable audiobook.

Future highlights

The forthcoming Athlone‑Galway stretch will cross the River Shannon at Shannonbridge, weave through the historic town of Ballinasloe, and finish at Oranmore on Galway Bay. Once complete, the entire greenway will provide a continuous 205 km route for long‑distance cyclists seeking an Irish‑wide adventure.

Practical Information

The greenway is free to use; there is no admission fee. Most sections are open year‑round, though the “Deep Sinking” stretch near Dublin remains unsuitable for amateur cyclists until upgrades are completed. Parking is available at most trailheads, including the Athlone Castle car park, Mullingar town centre, and Maynooth Harbour. Bike‑hire services operate in Athlone and Mullingar, making it easy for visitors without their own equipment.

Access points – Key trailheads include:

• Spencer Dock, Dublin (city centre) – reachable by DART (Connolly) and Luas Red Line.
• Maynooth Harbour, Co. Kildare – served by Iarnród Éireann commuter trains (Maynooth line).
• Cross Guns Bridge, Glasnevin (opened July 2024)
• Binns Bridge, Drumcondra
• Athlone Castle, Co. Westmeath – bus services from Dublin (e.g., Bus Éireann X9) and a train station on the Dublin‑Galway line.
• Mullingar, Co. Westmeath – train station and local bus links.

Surface and difficulty – The majority of the route is level, paved towpath (ideal for families and casual cyclists). Some older rail‑trail sections have compacted gravel; a sturdy hybrid or mountain bike is recommended for those parts. Wheelchair‑friendly sections include the newly resurfaced Royal Canal towpath between Cross Guns Bridge and Binns Bridge.

Safety and amenities – New lighting, bike racks and seating have been installed along the Royal Canal Phase 3 works (2023‑24). Signage is clear, with distance markers at regular intervals. Mobile coverage is generally good along the canal, but remote sections of the Westmeath Way may have limited signal.

Planning your journey – Because the greenway is still under development, it is wise to check the official website for the latest opening dates of new sections. The site provides interactive maps and downloadable brochures (e.g., the Old Rail Trail guide) that detail parking locations, restroom facilities and local accommodation options.

Public transport links – The greenway can be accessed via Dublin’s DART and Luas, Iarnród Éireann services to Maynooth, Mullingar and Athlone, and a range of Bus Éireann routes. This makes it possible to tackle the trail in sections without needing a car.

Connecting routes – The Dublin‑Galway Greenway links to other Irish greenways, including the Great Western Greenway (County Mayo) and the Waterford Greenway via the national EuroVelo network. Cyclists can continue northwards on the Royal Canal Greenway to Maynooth and beyond, or head south on the Great Southern Trail.

Seasonal & Accessibility

The greenway is open year‑round, but individual sections may be temporarily closed for maintenance, resurfacing or bridge works (e.g., the Dorset Street Lower toucan crossing). All major trailheads have car parking and toilet facilities. The newly resurfaced Royal Canal towpath between Cross Guns Bridge and Binns Bridge is fully wheelchair‑accessible. Rougher sections such as the “Deep Sinking” near Dublin are currently unsuitable for standard road bikes and may be challenging for users with limited mobility.

Planning & Resources

• Interactive map & downloadable guides – Available on the official website (https://www.dublingalwaygreenway.com/). The “Old Rail Trail” brochure includes detailed parking, amenity and accommodation listings.
• Bike‑hire – DublinBikes stations are located near Spencer Dock; additional private hire outlets operate in Athlone and Mullingar.
• Mobile apps – The Greenways Ireland app and the official Dublin‑Galway Greenway app provide real‑time updates on section closures and points of interest.
• Safety tips – Keep to the marked towpath, especially where the route runs close to the canal edge. Wear a helmet, carry a repair kit, and be aware of occasional agricultural traffic on adjoining fields.

Stakeholder engagement & recent events

• Public information events (March 2023) – A series of meetings were held in Oranmore, Gort and Portumna to showcase the preferred Athlone‑Galway “Route 5” and gather feedback from local residents, cyclists and businesses.
• Maynooth Summer Arts Festival – Frequently incorporates guided walks and bike rides along the Royal Canal section of the greenway.
• Farmer concerns – Since 2015, farming organisations such as the IFA and ICSA have voiced opposition to compulsory purchase orders and to sections they consider inefficient or lacking scenery. Their objections have prompted the project team to pursue voluntary agreements and to adjust route alignments where possible.
• Design approval (2024) – Galway County Council gave the greenway’s design team the go‑ahead to begin detailed design of the Ballinasloe‑to‑Galway segment, following a Section 85 agreement with Westmeath County Council. The design phase will include further public consultation to address landowner issues.

Future developments & timeline

• Ballinasloe‑to‑Galway design (2024‑2025) – Detailed engineering works are slated to start later in 2024, with construction expected to roll out in phases from 2025 onward, subject to landowner agreements.
• Completion of the western leg (mid‑2020s) – The preferred “Route 5” aims to deliver a fully off‑road, traffic‑free corridor from Athlone to Galway, incorporating river‑bank, coastal and forest scenery. Funding and land acquisition remain the key variables influencing the final delivery date.
• Potential Pathfinder funding – The 2022‑2023 national “Pathfinder” scheme highlighted the Dublin‑Galway Greenway as a candidate for accelerated delivery, suggesting additional resources could become available to speed up remaining works.

Events & Community Involvement

The project team runs regular public information events along the route. In March 2023, a series of consultation meetings were held in Oranmore, Gort and Portumna to discuss the preferred Athlone‑Galway “Route 5”. Local festivals, such as the Maynooth Summer Arts Festival, often incorporate greenway sections into their walking tours, offering guided walks and bike rides.

Enjoy the blend of urban vibrancy, tranquil canals and mid‑Ireland scenery as you traverse one of Ireland’s most exciting long‑distance outdoor projects.