Kingdom of Kerry Greenways & Limerick Greenway

We provide high quality bicycles for hire on the Kingdom of Kerry Greenways & Limerick Greenway.  If you are looking for something to entertain the kids, breathe a bit of fresh air into your party celebration, have a digital detox or just see the world from another perspective – check out our cycling routes and hire your bike to explore the beauty of this region with us today.

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Information for potential and current users of the Greenway

The Limerick Greenway is a unique stretch of countryside in West Limerick. It was the route taken by the Limerick – Tralee/Fenit railway line, which opened in stages between 1867 and 1887 & closed between 1975 and 1978.

Trailheads

There are over twenty access points to the Greenway from various public roads; these facilitate people who wish to do loop walks/cycles. Apart from the entrance at Rathkeale Trailhead all others are to the north of the N21.

The principal trailheads start as follows:

  1. Abbeyfeale: In the town centre turn right from the N21 onto the R524 (Athea road) where the old Station is on the right after 1km (adjacent to the ‘Railway Bar’).
  2. Devon Road: At Devon Road Cross turn north off the N21/R515 junction and travel along the L7059 where Tullig Wood is clearly visible to the right.
  3. Templeglantine: Parking at Halla Inse Bán on the local road L21006 (directly opposite the Church); the trail is 1km north along this local road.
  4. Barnagh: This is the summit of the Greenway and parking is at the N21 westbound lay-by with three options for exploration: a] main trail west towards Abbeyfeale; b] main trail east towards Newcastle West/Rathkeale; c] Barnagh railway tunnel 1km directly from the lay-by.
  5. Newcastle West: There are two entrances one at Bishop Court (off Bishop St., town centre) and the other near Gaelscoil Ó Dóghair/ Recycling Centre on the R521.
  6. Ardagh: The entrance is at the railway bridge on the local road L7001 which links the N21 with the R523. Parking is at the Community Centre 200m from the railway bridge.
  7. Rathkeale: The old station is now the Palatine Museum and is accessed from the R518 roundabout just south of the N21 and near the Catholic Church (large spire)

 

ABBEYFEALE STATION

Abbeyfeale has long been an important market town for Limerick, and is one of the essential stops on the Greenway.

The railway station was once one of the busiest stops on the Limerick to Tralee railway, sitting on the border between Kerry and Limerick as the system was expanded in 1880.

DEVON ROAD STATION

The Devon Road Station sits just outside Templeglantine, and was essential to Limerick’s dairy industry. Its main purpose was to serve a local creamery, which has long since closed.

The station opened in 1880 as the railway expanded towards Kerry.

TULLIG WOOD

The natural tranquillity of Tullig Wood stands out from the vibrant market towns along the Limerick Greenway.

The forest is made up of mostly native trees and wildflowers, and is an important wildlife habitat for birds, badgers, and butterflies.

BARNAGH STATION

This station marked the steepest point of the Limerick to Tralee Railway line, as the plains of Limerick met the mountainous area of Sliabh Luachra on the border with Cork and Kerry.

It was an essential stop for steam locomotives to replenish their coal and water so they could continue the journey.

BARNAGH TUNNEL

Opened in 1880, the Barnagh Tunnel was dug using explosives and pick axes, and runs 115-metres underground through the most difficult terrain of the old Limerick to Tralee line.

Visitors can now walk or cycle through the tunnel and see the details of the architecture up close.

BARNAGH VIEWING AREA

From the Barnagh Viewing Point, 164 metres above sea level, you can see the Limerick countryside, towns like Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Adare and Askeaton, and even as far as neighbouring counties Clare and Cork.

With a picnic area, the viewing point is also the perfect stop for a rest after a gentle climb to reach the top.

FERGUSONS VIADUCT

Fergusons Viaduct is a testament to the ingenuity of Victorian engineering, bridging the line for almost a century and still standing today. Built in cast iron, the bridge is one of the best surviving examples of 19th century railway architecture in Ireland.

ARDAGH STATION

Ardagh Station was served by its first train in 1867, just a year before the discovery of the iconic Ardagh Chalice. Part of a hoard of early Christian art, the chalice is on display in the National Museum in Dublin, and a replica can be seen at the Hunt Museum in Limerick.

RATHKEALE STATION

Rathkeale is a thriving market town and was an essential stop on the old Limerick to Tralee railway line. Its old railway station, opened in 1867, still stands to this day – just not in the same place. To accommodate the expanding road network of the late 20th century, it was moved stone by stone to its current location, protecting a piece of Limerick heritage.