Ireland’s greenways offer travellers a wonderful chance to enjoy the island’s gorgeous scenery in a safe and sustainable way. Experienced on foot, or on pedal bike or ebike, the greenways combine fresh-air fun with fabulous views and fascinating historical and cultural sites.
At the recent European Greenways Awards, which promotes examples of best practice, Ireland’s Great Western Greenway won a special green award for its holistic approach to sustainability, community engagement and environmental stewardship.
Presenting the Green Transition in Greenways award to the Great Western Greenway, the jury praised the route’s environmental innovation such as solar-powered compactor bins, electric bike charging stations and public furniture made from reused wind turbine blades. Together, these support biodiversity while preserving sensitive habitats.
The 49km greenway in County Mayo on the stunning Wild Atlantic Way follows the route of the disused Westport to Achill railway line. It passes through some of the island’s most striking landscapes, skirting historic towns and ancient archaeological monuments. The greenway was previously named as a European Destination of Excellence and as one of the world’s top three cycle trails.
One of the island’s newest greenways, Limerick Greenway, took third prize in the Excellence category. It also follows an old railway line, this one running 40km from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale through picturesque countryside, quaint towns and villages. It was commended for creating a greenway that “engages and supports local communities through economic and social development, while supporting biodiversity conservation” and for its “holistic, inclusive and forward-looking approach to rural regeneration, sustainable tourism and community wellbeing”.
Limerick Greenway, Co Limerick
The island of Ireland has a growing network of greenways, with the eighth one opening in County Cork earlier this year. The others are the Comber Greenwayin County Down, the Waterford Greenway, the Old Rail Trail in County Westmeath, the Suir Blueway in County Tipperary and the Royal Canal Greenway – the longest greenway on the island, running 130km west from Dublin to Longford in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. A mostly flat, off-road route, it follows a former towpath for horse‐drawn barges. Along the way there are many built heritage sites including 90 old bridges, more than 30 locks, 17 harbours and four aqueducts.
The upcoming World Sustainable Transport (26 November) reminds us of the need to use sustainable transport to protect the environment and conserve resources. Choosing to explore Ireland’s beautiful landscapes by journeying along its greenways is the perfect way to honour this ambition while having an unforgettable experience.
Royal Canal Greenway, Enfield, Co Meath
ARTICLE CREDIT; TOURISM IRELAND
