Overview
The Waterford Greenway (locally the Déise Greenway) is a 46 km off‑road trail that follows the former Mallow‑Waterford railway line. It links Waterford City with Dungarvan, passing Mount Congreve, Kilmeaden, Kilmacthomas and the spectacular Copper Coast. The route is part of EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast cycling corridor that runs from Norway to Portugal. Since its March 2017 opening the Greenway has become one of Ireland’s most popular family‑friendly attractions, with over 250 000 users in its first year.
History & Background
The line was built in 1878 by the Great Southern and Western Railway and operated for almost a century before closing in the late 1970s. After years of community campaigning, the disused track was transformed into a paved greenway and officially opened in March 2017. The project preserved eleven historic bridges, three stone viaducts and the iconic 400‑metre Ballyvoyle (Durrow) tunnel, turning industrial heritage into a recreational asset. In 2020 a feasibility study was funded to explore a 38.5 km extension towards Mallow, and in 2022 the route was examined for a link with the Suir Blueway and the under‑construction Cork Greenway.
What to See & Do
| Section | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Waterford City → Killoteran | 7.5 km | Grattan Quay, Red Iron Bridge, Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge, Woodstown Viking site, view of the River Suir |
| Killoteran → Kilmeaden | 3 km | Mount Congreve Gardens (world‑class azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons), four‑bay lime‑kiln, Kilmeaden Castle ruins, Waterford & Suir Valley Railway (heritage train) |
| Kilmeaden → Kilmacthomas | 13.5 km | Fairbrook House & Gardens, Fairbrook Mill chimney, Kilmacthomas Workhouse (now café & business centre), Kilmacthomas Viaduct (8 arches) |
| Kilmacthomas → Durrow | 12 km | Durrow Viaduct, Cloughlowrish glacial erratic, Durrow Station ruins, local pubs (Shanacool) |
| Durrow → Clonea Road | 6 km | Ballyvoyle Tunnel (400 m brick‑lined), Ballyvoyle Viaduct, early‑summer sea‑air on the Copper Coast |
| Clonea Road → Dungarvan | 4 km | Clonea Strand (Blue Flag beach), Walton Park, Dungarvan Castle (12th‑century Anglo‑Norman) |
Key attractions
- Ballyvoyle Tunnel – a dark, atmospheric brick tunnel that opens onto a fern‑lined glade.
- Viaducts – the Kilmacthomas, Durrow and Ballyvoyle viaducts, all built in 1878, offer dramatic arches over river valleys.
- Copper Coast – a UNESCO Global Geopark with rugged headlands, scalloped beaches and historic mining sites such as Tankardstown Engine House.
- Waterford & Suir Valley Railway – a narrow‑gauge heritage line that runs alongside the Greenway for 8.5 km, providing a nostalgic steam‑train experience.
- Mount Congreve Gardens – one of the world’s great ornamental gardens, ideal for a coffee break at the Stables Café.
- Local towns – Waterford City’s Viking Triangle, Kilmacthomas’s lively pubs, and Dungarvan’s harbour, brewery and market.
Practical Information
Getting There & Start Points
- Waterford City – the official start is at Grattan Quay (near the Waterford Institute of Technology campus). Free parking is available at the WIT West Campus (≈300 spaces) and at Bilberry (free, limited spaces). Paid on‑street parking is also available in the city centre.
- Dungarvan – the trail finishes in Walton Park, Dungarvan. Free parking is provided behind the Eurospar supermarket, adjacent to the Greenway access point.
- Intermediate access – free car parks exist at Killoteran, Kilmeaden, Kilmacthomas Mill, McGrath’s Cross and the Clonea Road access point. All are marked on the official map.
Bike Hire & Equipment
Bike hire is offered at several points:
- Waterford City – Greenway Waterford Bike Hire (Hanover Street) and Waterford Greenway Cycle Tours.
- Killoteran – The Greenway Man (Shanacool access point).
- Kilmeaden – Greenway Rent a Bike (Waveworld, Clonea Beach).
- Kilmacthomas – hire depot opposite the workhouse.
- Dungarvan – Dungarvan Bike Hire on O’Connell Street. All providers supply standard bikes, children’s bikes, trailers and electric bikes; helmets, locks and basic safety gear are included. Booking in advance, especially in summer, is recommended.
Accessibility
The Greenway is a shared‑space surface suitable for walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and dog‑walkers. Signage at entry points reminds users to keep left and to ring bells when overtaking pedestrians. Level‑crossing gates (red chicane gates) control traffic at road intersections. The tunnel and some viaducts are wide enough for wheelchair passage, though cyclists are asked to travel slowly in those sections.
Facilities
- Public toilets – marked with green pins on the interactive map; located at WIT Campus, Kilmeaden Station, Kilmacthomas, and Dungarvan.
- Refreshments – cafés and pubs at Kilmeaden (Whistlestop Café), Kilmacthomas (Coach House Coffee, O’Mahony’s Pub), Shanacool (local pub), and Dungarvan (The Tannery Restaurant, Dungarvan Brewing Company).
- Picnic spots – stone boulder clusters placed every few kilometres provide informal seating for a quick snack.
- Shuttle services – many bike‑hire firms operate a shuttle that returns cyclists and equipment to the original hire point; the public 362 bus also runs between Dungarvan and Waterford.
Fees & Opening Hours
The Greenway itself is free and open year‑round. Individual attractions (e.g., Mount Congreve Gardens, the heritage railway) may charge separate entry fees. Bike‑hire shops generally operate from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with seasonal variations.
Suggested Itinerary
A popular half‑day plan starts at Waterford City, cycles to Kilmacthomas (≈23 km), stops for lunch at Coach House Coffee, then continues to Dungarvan for a beach walk on Clonea Strand before returning by bus. For families with younger children, the 3 km Killoteran‑Kilmeaden stretch offers a gentle introduction, complete with a short tunnel and easy river views.
The Greenway Code of Respect
The trail follows a simple code: stay left, ring bells, cycle slowly through tunnels, give way at level crossings, keep dogs on short leads and clean up after them, and leave no litter. Respecting these rules ensures a safe, pleasant experience for all users.
Tags: [“Family Friendly”, “Historic”, “Scenic”, “Free Entry”, “Outdoors”]