Overview
Following the old Limerick–Tralee railway, the Limerick Greenway runs traffic-free for 40 km from Rathkeale west to Abbeyfeale, never once crossing a busy road. It opened on 1 July 2021 after a €10 million restoration and drew half a million people in its first ten months, which tells you it did not stay a quiet country path for long.
If you only have an hour or two, skip the flat northern stretch and start at Newcastle West heading up to Barnagh. That section carries both of the line’s showpieces – the cast-iron Ferguson’s Viaduct and the 115 m Barnagh tunnel – and finishes at the Barnagh hub with a café, a viewing platform and room for children to run off steam.
One thing to sort before you go: it is a 40 km point-to-point, so unless you are doing an out-and-back you need a plan for getting back to the car. A summer shuttle covers part of the route, but it does not run year-round.
Route highlights and towns
The trail breaks naturally into sections between the main access hubs – Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh and Abbeyfeale – and you can join at any of them and go as far as you like.
Rathkeale to Ardagh
This level section crosses the River Deel and passes under five overhead bridges cut from local stone. In Rathkeale, the trail begins near the Irish Palatine Heritage Museum, housed in the original 1867 station house. The museum traces the story of German Palatine families who settled here in 1709. A short detour takes you to St Mary’s Priory, a 12th-century Augustinian abbey, or the River Deel for kayaking and fishing.
Heading west, the route reaches Ardagh, a village with early medieval roots. The Old Station House marks the approximate discovery site of the Ardagh Chalice in 1868. The actual silver chalice, a masterpiece of early Irish metalwork, is now in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, but the village remains a peaceful spot for a picnic. Nearby, Ballylin Hill Fort covers 52 acres and offers sweeping views across the surrounding farmland.
Ardagh to Newcastle West
This short, mostly level stretch rolls through open agricultural land with gentle gradients. As you approach Newcastle West, you cross the River Daar. The town is the Greenway’s main service hub, with the widest range of shops, pubs, restaurants and accommodation on the route. Before heading back on the trail, visit Desmond Hall, a remarkably preserved medieval banqueting hall, or relax in Castle Demesne Park, which has a skatepark and playground.
Newcastle West to Barnagh
Leaving the town, the trail begins a gradual, steady climb toward the route’s highest point at 164 metres. This is the stretch to do if you only do one: it rewards the effort with views across the Golden Vale toward the Kerry hills, and it carries the two Victorian showpieces – the cast-iron Ferguson’s Viaduct and the 115 m Barnagh tunnel, both restored during the Greenway’s development. The Barnagh hub at the top makes an ideal halfway stop, with the Platform 22 café, a viewing platform, a playground and crazy golf.
Templeglantine to Abbeyfeale
After Barnagh, the path descends through cuttings and embankments, passing under two more stone bridges before reaching Templeglantine. Locals call the village simply “Glantine”, and it’s known for its strong Sliabh Luachra musical tradition. The trail then runs through Tullig Wood, a quiet stretch of mixed woodland.
The final stretch follows the River Allaghaun into Abbeyfeale, a thriving market town and the western terminus of the Limerick section. Abbeyfeale is famous for its traditional music scene and the annual Fleadh by the Feale festival. The Greenway continues a further 3 km beyond the town centre toward the County Kerry border, where it eventually links to the North Kerry Greenway.
Railway History & Heritage
The corridor was originally built by the Great Southern and Western Railway between 1867 and 1880, serving passengers and freight for nearly a century. Passenger services ended in 1963, and the line was fully closed in the late 1970s. For decades, the overgrown track was championed by the Great Southern Trail Ltd volunteer group, who campaigned for its conversion into a public trail. Limerick City and County Council took over management in 2015, and with €10 million from Fáilte Ireland and government departments, the Limerick Greenway officially opened on 1 July 2021. It quickly became a major regional attraction, welcoming half a million visitors in its first ten months. Today, the route forms a key segment of EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast cycling network.
Practical Information
- Distance & Time: 40 km point-to-point. Cycling takes roughly 3 hours 20 minutes; walking takes 9–10 hours. Most visitors tackle shorter sections.
- Surface & Grade: Sealed tarmac, largely flat with a gentle incline toward Barnagh. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
- Bike hire & support: Bike hire is available at three hubs – Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale – covering hybrid, electric and children’s bikes plus trailers and adaptive cycles. A shuttle runs in summer, roughly an hourly loop between Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale from around noon to 4pm; outside the season, arrange your own return transport.
- Parking & facilities: Free car parking at Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh, Templeglantine and Abbeyfeale. Public toilets and vending machines at the main hubs.
- Dogs: Welcome on leads throughout the trail.
- App & Maps: A free official Limerick Greenway app provides interactive maps, waymarking guidance and local business listings.
Getting There
The Greenway is easily reached by car via the N21 and regional roads R518, R521 and R524. Public transport links Limerick city to Rathkeale and Newcastle West, with local buses serving Abbeyfeale and Templeglantine. If you plan to cycle the full route without a car, book the shuttle bus in advance to avoid waiting for return transport. Check the official Limerick Greenway website for current shuttle timetables and bike hire availability before your visit.