Limerick Greenway

The Greenway route begins at the Rathkeale trailhead, located beside the Irish Palatine Museum and a Greenway Hub housed in a restored goods shed. The museum is based in the former Rathkeale Railway Station House and is open to visitors, while the nearby ruins of a 12th‑century Augustinian Friary add further historical interest. 

Leaving Rathkeale, the route passes beneath five stone overhead bridges built from locally sourced stone. At Ardagh Station House, a carving of the iconic Ardagh Chalice, created from a dead ash tree, commemorates the discovery of the Ardagh Hoard in 1868 by two local boys. The chalice was the centrepiece of the hoard, inspired postage stamps and GAA trophies, and is now housed in the National Museum. 

The journey to Newcastle West will take you through some of Limerick’s most beautiful countryside. You can opt to leave the Greenway at Station Road which will involving cycling c. 350m through a housing estate before joining Bishop Street (which has a footpath but no cycle lane). Newcastle West is Limerick’s largest town and previously a stronghold of the Fitzgerald family, the Earls of Desmond. The town developed around Desmond Castle, a 13th century castle with a significant banqueting hall. Visitors can learn about local history at the Desmond Castle, enjoy the Castle Demesne public park, or visit some of the pubs and restaurants. 

The incline from Newcastle West to Barnagh brings you to the high point of the old Limerick to Tralee line. Along the way, you’ll pass over the cast iron Ferguson’s Viaduct, travelling adjacent to the N21 for c. 2 kilometres before you take a short detour from the route to cycle through the road underpass and on to the 115-meter long Barnagh Tunnel. Shortly after the Tunnel, there is a Greenway Hub offering visitors plentiful facilities. At 164 metres above sea level, the viewing point at Barnagh is the perfect place to stop for a break and admire the natural landscape, with views out to the neighbouring counties of Clare and Cork.  

The journey from Barnagh to Templeglantine passes through the former railway embankments and under two stone bridges on a gentle decline. Explore the village of Templeglantine which is located just a short distance off Limerick Greenway along a quiet, local road. Known locally as Glantine, the village has a rich tradition of Irish music and is part of the Sliabh Luachra area with a distinctive musical style. 

Leaving Templeglantine will take you through the beautiful forest of Tullig Wood. This natural woodland has a rich array of native and non-native trees including beech, oak, sycamore, horse-chestnut and ash. The understory is home to a variety of plants and fauna such as badgers, butterflies and birds. Further along, pass Devon Road station before reaching the old railway station house at Abbeyfeale (now a Greenway Hub) which is located approximately 1 kilometre north of the town. You can choose to continue your journey on the Greenway or opt to continue on road to Abbeyfeale (this is a narrow road with no cycle lane or pavement). Abbeyfeale has an array of shops, pubs and restaurants. Check out the vernacular architecture and plasterwork on display in the main street or explore the town park.  

The Limerick Greenway transitions to the Listowel Greenway, (where Kingdom of Kerry–branded signage is in place) approximately 3km west of the station house at Abbeyfeale. The route continues onto Listowel where further adventures await.