Overview
The Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) didn’t just move people; it opened up the Irish heartland. Incorporated in 1845 and authorised to build a line from Dublin to the west coast, the railway reached Mullingar in 1848 and pushed on to Galway by 1851. At its peak, the MGWR operated a 538-mile network of Irish-gauge track, bringing coastal towns, fishing waters, and rural landscapes into reach of day-trippers and holidaymakers. Though the company was absorbed into the Great Southern Railways in 1924, the physical route remains one of Ireland’s most practical and scenic travel corridors.
The Route Today: Active Lines & Greenways
You can experience the MGWR’s footprint in two ways: by riding the active rail services or by cycling and walking the disused branches.
Active Rail Services Iarnród Éireann still operates the Dublin–Galway and Dublin–Westport corridors, which closely follow the original MGWR alignment. Trains depart from Dublin Heuston and pass through the fertile Westmeath plains, cross the River Shannon at Athlone, and climb into the rugged terrain of Mayo and Galway. The journey to Galway takes roughly two and a half hours, while the Westport service branches off at Claremorris. These routes remain the most straightforward way to travel inland from the capital to the Atlantic seaboard.
Greenways & Walking Trails Where the tracks were lifted, the routebed has been repurposed into traffic-free paths. The most famous conversion is the Great Western Greenway, a 49-kilometre route through County Mayo that runs from Westport to Louisburgh. Formerly the Westport–Achill line, it hugs Clew Bay, passes through the village of Mulranny, and offers direct access to the Croagh Patrick pilgrimage route. Further east, the Old Rail Trail connects Athlone and Mullingar across 42 kilometres of compact gravel. Both paths are flat, well-signposted, and suitable for casual cyclists, families, and walkers.
Heritage Hotels & Station Houses
The MGWR was a pioneer in tourism infrastructure, building hotels directly on or near its branches to accommodate visitors. Several of these have been preserved and operate as boutique accommodation today:
- Clifden Station House Hotel – The former terminus of the Galway–Clifden branch, now a restored Victorian station offering rooms, dining, and direct access to the Clifden–Oughterard walking loop.
- Kilmessan Junction Station House Hotel (County Meath) – A converted junction station that serves as a quiet base for exploring the Boyne Valley and Louth coast.
- Mullranny Park Hotel (County Mayo) – Housed in the former Westport–Achill station, it overlooks Clew Bay and provides easy access to the Great Western Greenway.
Preserved Rolling Stock
If you’re interested in the engineering side of the railway, a small number of MGWR carriages have survived in museums across the island:
- Ulster Folk and Transport Museum (Cultra) – Displays carriage No. 47, the private saloon of engineer William Dargan, fully restored to its original varnish-brown finish.
- Downpatrick and County Down Railway – Holds several MGWR six-wheel carriages (Nos 25, 53, and 62M) currently awaiting restoration.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Getting there – Iarnród Éireann services to Athlone, Galway, and Westport run daily from Dublin Heuston and Dublin Connolly. Book tickets in advance via the Irish Rail website, especially during summer and on the Westport line, which can sell out.
- Greenway access – Both the Great Western Greenway and the Old Rail Trail are free to use. Bike hire is available in Athlone, Mullingar, and Westport, with prices starting around €12 per day for standard mountain bikes. E-bikes are highly recommended for the Mayo route, particularly if you plan to tackle the short climb to Croagh Patrick.
- Dogs & accessibility – Dogs are welcome on both greenways if kept on a lead. The Old Rail Trail is completely flat and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The Great Western Greenway is largely accessible but includes a few gentle gradients near coastal cuttings.
- Trail maps – Download official PDF maps from the greenway websites before heading out. Mobile signal can drop in the Mayo coastal cuttings, so a printed route or offline map is advisable.
A Suggested Rail & Trail Route
The MGWR corridor works best as a multi-day trip. Start in Dublin, take the morning train to Athlone, and rent a bike to cycle the Old Rail Trail to Mullingar. Return to Athlone in the afternoon and catch the westbound service to Westport. Spend the night at the Mullranny Park Hotel or a B&B in Louisburgh, then cycle the Great Western Greenway at a relaxed pace, stopping for coffee in Mulranny and a walk up the lower slopes of Croagh Patrick. Finish the trip with the evening train back to Dublin from Westport.
Train timetables, greenway conditions, and hotel availability change seasonally. Check the Irish Rail and greenway websites a few days before departure, and pack a waterproof layer – the Atlantic weather shifts quickly, especially along the Mayo coast.