- How long is Limerick Greenway?
- Where can I park?
- Where can I access Limerick Greenway?
- Where does Limerick Greenway start?
- How long does it take to complete Limerick Greenway? (Cycling and Walking)
- Is Limerick Greenway accessible for people with disabilities?
- Can I bring my dog on Limerick Greenway?
- Where can I hire bikes?
- Which is the best section for kids?
- Can I have a picnic on Limerick Greenway?
- Are there toilet facilities near Limerick Greenway?
- I haven’t cycled a bike in years, can I still do Limerick Greenway?
- Where is the best place to eat near Limerick Greenway?
- Where is a nice place to stay close to Limerick Greenway?
- Can I plan events on Limerick Greenway?
- Is there a public transport service along Limerick Greenway?
- Is there a designated cycling route from Limerick City to Limerick Greenway?
1. How long is Limerick Greenway?
Limerick Greenway from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale is 40km in length in total (just under 25 miles). It can be broken into stages. Download our brochure here.
2. Where can I park?
This depends on where you decide to begin your Greenway journey! There are parking facilities at the following:
- Rathkeale - There is a car park and overflow car park located directly beside and across the road from the Irish Palatine Museum at the Rathkeale Hub Trailhead, just off R518 at the roundabout into town.
- Ardagh - Parking is available at the Ardagh Station House Trailhead, turn off R523 to local road, to east of village.
- Newcastle West – Parking is available in the Newcastle West Business Park, off the R521 onto Station Road.
- Templeglantine – Parking is available at the rear of Halla Inse Bán, on the L21006 (turn off N21 at Halla, junction opposite the Church).
- Abbeyfeale – Parking is available at the Abbeyfeale Hub Trailhead off the R524 road, to north of the town.
Opening Hours are as follows:
- November – February: 8:00 to 17:00
- March – April: 7:00 to 19:00
- May – August: 7:00 to 22:00
- September – October: 7:00 to 19:00
The car parks are opened and locked to correspond with the opening hours.
3. Where can I access Limerick Greenway?
You can start the full route at Rathkeale or Abbeyfeale on the Limerick-Kerry border, or at any of the below entry points:
- Rathkeale: Rathkeale Greenway Hub Trailhead Carpark (V94 4H30).
- Ardagh: Ardagh Station House Hub Trailhead Carpark (V42 T590).
- Newcastle West: The entrance on Station Road near Gaelscoil Ó Dóghair/Recycling Centre on the R521 or the Greenway Carpark in the Newcastle West Business Park.
- Barnagh: Barnagh Greenway Hub Carpark and overflow Carpark (V42 X206).
- Templeglantine: Park at Halla Inse Bán which is on the local L21006 road directly opposite the church. Limerick Greenway can be accessed 1km north along this local road.
- Abbeyfeale: Abbeyfeale Greenway Hub Trailhead Carpark (V94 37N8).
4. Where does Limerick Greenway start?
The official start point is either Rathkeale, which is closer to Limerick City or Abbeyfeale, which is closer to the Kerry border. It’s really your choice which direction you want to go! But remember that you can also start at any of any of the points that take your fancy. Download our brochure here.
5. How long does it take to complete Limerick Greenway? (Cycling and Walking)
Not everyone will wish to cycle the full length of Limerick Greenway all at once, it’s 40km in total which could take casual riders up to two hours. You can pick and choose between sections if you prefer. The sections range from just 3km long to over 9km long, so lots of lovely spots for pit stops along the way. Download our brochure here.
6. Is Limerick Greenway accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, the surface of Limerick Greenway was designed with mobility in mind and is safe and suitable for users of all abilities and ages to visit and enjoy.
There is full disability level access at Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale, from each trailhead car park to Limerick Greenway. The Greenway is fully accessible at these locations, and is capable of being independently accessed and used by people with a disability.
The Barnagh Viewing Point is now fully accessible also.
7. Can I bring my dog on Limerick Greenway?
Yes you can of course, but out of respect for other Greenway users, please remember to keep your dog on a lead and clean up after them as you go! Watch our code of conduct video for more helpful tips.
8. Where can I hire bikes?
Businesses offering bike hire are all listed here on our website.
9. Which is the best section for kids?
The whole Greenway is a closed route safe from traffic and is kid friendly, when accompanied by an adult. However, some sections of Limerick Greenway might appeal more to your kids – the Barnagh Tunnel which runs 115 metres underground is always a highlight!
10. Can I have a picnic on Limerick Greenway?
Yes of course you can, in fact we encourage it! Please do remember to take your rubbish away with you afterwards.
11. Are there toilet facilities near Limerick Greenway?
Limerick City and County Council has new toilet facilities open to the public at the fully refurbished Rathkeale Hub Trailhead and also provides portaloo toilets in the 3 Greenway car parks at Ardagh, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. In each car park there are 2 standard portaloos and 1 disabled portaloo.
In addition to these, there are public toilets located in the towns of Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale as well as local businesses along or near Limerick Greenway.
12. I haven’t cycled a bike in years, can I still do Limerick Greenway?
Yes! The gradient of Limerick Greenway is mostly flat and very easy to cycle, and is manageable for anyone who is reasonably fit and healthy. But if you’re not feeling confident, you could try a section at a time or go for a stroll instead to suss it out first.
13. Where is the best place to eat near the Greenway?
There are some lovely places to eat in the towns and villages off Limerick Greenway; Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Templeglantine, Abbeyfeale and Barnagh.
For some suggestions, please visit our Limerick.ie website here.
14. Where is a nice place to stay close to the Greenway?
You’ll find plenty of hotels and guesthouses (family-friendly of course!) in each of the towns connected by Limerick Greenway. Visit our website for information here.
15. Can I plan events on the Greenway?
In order to maximise enjoyment of Limerick Greenway for all concerned, avoid clashes with other events, and to satisfy insurance obligations, waste management and health and safety precautions, Limerick City and County Council require event organisers to obtain permission from Limerick City and County Council to hold an event on Limerick Greenway. The types of events that will require permission include but are not limited to family fun days, sports days, walks and runs, sporting events, filming, photoshoots, etc. Click here to complete the Permission Request Form for Events on Limerick Greenway.
16. Is there a public transport service along the Greenway?
Yes, Limerick Greenway is situated along the N21 national primary road. There is a public bus transport service operating on the N21 between Limerick City and Tralee/ Killarney, with bus stops at Rathkeale, Newcastle West, Templeglantine and Abbeyfeale. Please take a look here.
There is also a private bus service on the N21 with bus stops at Adare, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. Search for timetables here. For locals there is a Local Link bus service with a number of regular rural services to Newcastle West in particular. Check out this service here.
17. Is there a designated cycling route from Limerick City to Limerick Greenway?
The Eurovelo 1 route from Limerick City to Limerick Greenway Rathkeale Hub Trailhead via Adare village is available to view and download here.
This will provide maps and cue sheets for cycling this section.
The entire route has Eurovelo signposts