Great Western Greenway

Overview

The Great Western Greenway was Ireland’s first greenway, and it is still one of the best: a traffic-free, gently graded path laid on the bed of a railway that closed in the 1930s, running from the Georgian streets of Westport along the edge of Clew Bay to Achill Island. The original route to Achill Sound is 42 km; a 5 km extension to Cashel opened in 2024, which is why the official figure is now 49 km. Because it follows a railway, the gradients are gentle the whole way, and it suits families and unhurried cyclists rather than anyone chasing distance.

The scenery earns the reputation. You get the conical summit of Croagh Patrick across the water, the drowned drumlins of Clew Bay, and the Nephin Beg mountains inland. If you only ride one section, make it Newport to Mulranny for the long views over the bay.

Route Sections & Timing

You can tackle the full distance in a single day, or break it into manageable stages with shuttle-bus returns available from most hire operators.

• Westport to Newport (12 km) – A gentle start through coastal woodlands and quiet farmland. Cycle time: 1–1.5 hours. Walking time: 2.5–3 hours.
• Newport to Mulranny (18 km) – The scenic highlight, climbing slightly to offer panoramic views over Clew Bay and Clare Island. Cycle time: 2–2.5 hours. Walking time: 4–5 hours.
• Mulranny to Achill Sound (13 km) – Follows the dramatic Atlantic coastline along the Corraun Peninsula before crossing the land bridge to Achill. Cycle time: 1–1.5 hours. Walking time: 3 hours.
• Achill Sound to Cashel (5 km) – A 2024 extension featuring a new sustainable boardwalk across blanket bog, plus a playground and camper-van parking. Cycle time: 30–45 minutes. Walking time: 1–1.5 hours.

History & Heritage

The Greenway’s foundation lies in the Balfour Lines, a series of state-subsidised narrow-gauge railways built in the 1890s to connect remote western counties. The Westport-to-Achill line opened in stages between 1894 and 1895, bringing a boom in trade, tourism and postal services to the region. The Mulranny Park Hotel even opened in 1897 specifically to serve railway passengers, advertising combined rail-and-hotel tickets.

Passenger services ended in 1934, with freight ceasing in 1937. The tracks were lifted in 1938 and sold for scrap during the war years, leaving the corridor dormant for decades. In the early 2000s, Mayo County Council partnered with local landowners and state agencies to convert the route. The first phase, Newport to Mulranny, opened in April 2010; Taoiseach Enda Kenny inaugurated the full Westport-to-Achill-Sound route on 29 July 2011, and it went on to win the European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) award that year. The 5 km extension to Cashel followed in 2024.

What to See & Do

The trail passes through a mosaic of habitats, from active farmland and native woodland to coastal machair and blanket bog. Several stops are worth detouring for:

• Newport Viaduct – A striking seven-arch red sandstone bridge spanning the Black Oak River. The town of Newport also features the ancestral home of Princess Grace of Monaco and a park dedicated to her grandfather.
• Mulranny Causeway & Blue Flag Beach – Cross the road and take the steps down to the Victorian causeway (built 1889), which links the village to Rosmurrevagh Machair, a rare coastal grassland habitat, and the sheltered Blue Flag beach.
• Dánlann Yawl Art Gallery – Located in Owenduff, this small gallery and café is a popular mid-route stop for coffee and local artwork.
• Ballycroy National Park – The Greenway skirts the western edge of Ballycroy National Park. Look out for the park’s boardwalks and the distinctive pines of the Wild Nephin range.
• Achill Island Highlights – Once across the bridge, explore the medieval Kildavnet Tower, the Slievemore Deserted Village (over 80 stone cottages), and the Atlantic Drive. The Achill Experience Aquarium offers an indoor look at local marine life.

Flora & Fauna

The route traverses several Special Areas of Conservation. Spring and summer bring carpets of purple heather, marsh marigold and the rare Irish lady’s-tresses orchid. Birdwatchers should scan the shoreline for golden plovers, curlews and red-breasted mergansers, while inland sections attract buzzards, red-kites and peregrine falcons. Butterflies such as the common blue and peacock are active from May through August.

Practical Information

• Bike Hire & Shuttles – Operators in Westport, Newport, Mulranny and Achill offer hybrid, electric and comfort bikes (typically €25 adult / €15 child). Most include a shuttle-bus return to your car. Book in advance during peak summer months.
• Facilities – Public toilets and showers are available at the Old Railway Station House in Mulranny. Cafés and pubs are located in Newport, Mulranny and Achill Sound. There are no services on the Westport-to-Newport stretch, so plan accordingly.
• Parking – Free parking is available beside Clew Bay Bike Hire in Westport, behind the Mulranny Park Hotel, and at the purpose-built car park in Achill Sound. Newport has limited on-street spaces near the main car park.
• Rules & Safety – The Greenway is a shared space. Walkers and cyclists keep left, pass on the right, and cyclists should ring a bell before overtaking. Dogs must be kept on short leads. Helmets are not legally required but are sensible, especially for children.
• Accessibility – The compacted tarmac and solid-surface track make the route largely wheelchair-friendly. The Mulranny cycle hub (opened October 2024) provides accessible tricycles for hire. Note that a 1.5 km section through Newport town centre shares the road with traffic; extra caution is advised here.

Where to Stay Nearby

Four villages sit on or beside the route, and which one you pick decides how much of the Greenway you ride from the door.

• Westport – The obvious base if you want restaurants, pubs and traditional music at the end of the day, and the easiest place to arrive by train. The Wyatt Hotel sits on the Octagon in the middle of town, Castlecourt Hotel is a few doors away with a pool and a busy bar, and Knockranny House Hotel & Spa is a short walk uphill with the spa and the long view back over Clew Bay. All three are within about 10 minutes of the Greenway trailhead and the bike-hire yards.
• Newport – Twelve kilometres in, at the seven-arch viaduct, and the best choice if you want a quieter town but still a full day’s cycling either side of you. Hotel Newport is on the river in the centre of the village and hires bikes to guests, so you can start riding without moving the car at all.
• Mulranny – The strategic pick. The Mulranny Park Hotel is the only hotel actually on the Greenway, built in 1897 for railway passengers on this very line, with the trail passing the grounds and a pool, sauna and hot tub for legs that have done 18 km from Newport. It is also the mid-point, so you can ride in either direction and shuttle back.
• Achill Sound – The western end. The family-run Achill Island Hotel sits at the gateway to Achill Island, handy if you are finishing the route one day and heading for Keel and the Atlantic Drive the next.

Book well ahead for July and August, when the Greenway, the beaches and the Westport festivals compete for the same rooms.

Planning Your Visit

The most efficient way to experience the full route is to park in Westport, hire a bike, and cycle westward with the prevailing wind at your back. If you prefer a shorter outing, the 13 km stretch from Mulranny to Achill Sound delivers the most coastal scenery for the distance and is easily combined with a ferry trip to Clare Island or a hike up Croagh Patrick. Check the official Greenway website for real-time trail conditions, shuttle schedules and the latest event listings across County Mayo.