Listowel – Abbeyfeale Greenway

N Kerry - Listowel Limerick Border

Distance

11.9km

Elevation

125m

Time

Cycling: 48m

Walking: 2h 23m

Difficulty

Leisure

Surface Finish

Bound asphalt surface

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Overview

The Listowel–Abbeyfeale Greenway forms part of the Great Southern Trail, a repurposed railway corridor that once linked Limerick to Tralee. This 16km section connects the literary heritage town of Listowel in north Kerry with the bustling market town of Abbeyfeale, straddling the Kerry–Limerick border. Fully surfaced and traffic-free, it offers an easy gradient and safe environment for walkers, cyclists and families.

The trail passes through farmland, woodland fringes and along river valleys, delivering a varied and scenic experience. Listowel, known for its writers’ festival and John B. Keane’s legacy, provides a lively start point, while Abbeyfeale at the western end is a cultural hub with shops, music and a welcoming square. The Greenway is particularly well-suited to shorter family outings, as its compact length allows for an enjoyable half-day trip, yet it also connects into the longer Limerick Greenway, creating options for extended exploration. Along the way, users will find rest areas, interpretation boards and remnants of railway heritage, including bridges and station houses. The Listowel–Abbeyfeale Greenway is more than a linear route; it is a cross-county link that brings together communities, nature and culture in a safe and accessible format.

Listowel – Kilmorna

8 km

Leaving Listowel, the Greenway crosses the River Feale and enters a tranquil rural corridor. This stage offers views of the surrounding fields and woodlands, with birdsong a constant companion. The area around Kilmorna is rich in history, once home to Kilmorna House, a grand mansion destroyed during the Civil War in 1921. Though the house is gone, the site retains an atmosphere of faded grandeur, with woodland and bluebell carpets in springtime.

Kilmorna – Abbeyfeale

Need to Know

Ciars Quest – an Augmented Reality experience has launched on the Listowel-Limerick Greenway in Spring 2025. See ciarsquest.ie for more details of this free fun family adventure focusing on Biodiversity along the greenway.

Amenities

Parking
EV Charging
Toilets
Playground
picnic-area
Café
Food & Drink
Accommodation
bike-repair

Route connects with…

Limerick Greenway

Rathkeale Abbeyfeale

Leisure

Distance: 216km

Cycling: 14h 24m

Walking: 43h 12m

The Limerick Greenway runs for 40km along the former Limerick–Tralee railway line, from Rathkeale through Newcastle West to Abbeyfeale, with an onward link into Kerry. Opened in 2021 after major investment, it offers a smooth, fully surfaced trail through the heart of West Limerick’s countryside. The route connects lively towns with tranquil farmland, woodlands and...

The Listowel–Abbeyfeale Greenway runs through a rural landscape characterised by hedgerows, riverbanks and pockets of woodland. Hedgerows of hawthorn, blackthorn and elder provide nectar, berries and nesting sites for birds such as chaffinch, wren and blackbird. In spring, bluebells and primroses brighten woodland margins, while summer brings butterflies like peacock, tortoiseshell and meadow brown. The River Feale and its tributaries support species such as otter, kingfisher and grey heron, with dippers and wagtails often seen darting along fast-flowing sections.

Amphibians, including frogs and smooth newts, inhabit damp drains and wet grassland hollows. Kilmorna’s wooded areas add to the diversity, providing habitat for bats that roost in old structures and forage along tree-lined corridors. The Greenway itself functions as a wildlife corridor, enabling species to move between habitats fragmented by agriculture. Conservation-sensitive management of verges and signage helps maintain this ecological role. Users are encouraged to appreciate these living landscapes from the trail, respecting seasonal restrictions and avoiding disturbance of nesting birds or sensitive riverbanks. In doing so, visitors help protect the ecological richness that makes this Greenway such a rewarding journey.

Code of Conduct

To keep our greenways welcoming and safe for all users—walkers, cyclists, families, and wildlife alike—please review our Code of Conduct before you go.

Read Code of Conduct

Getting There

Whether you’re travelling by train, bus, or car, use these tools  to plan your route.

FAQs

Can I get to the route by rail?

There is no direct train service that serves the Listowel greenway with the closest being Casement station in Tralee, approximately 45 minutes away by bus or car.

Can I access the route by bus?

Yes, you can access the route through number 13 Bus (Bus Éireann) service that links Listowel with Abbeyfeale with connections from Listowel to Tralee, Ballybunion and other North kerry locations.

Are there any EV charging points among the routes?

Yes, EV Charging is available in a number of locations in Listowel, including in the Square.

News and Updates

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Offaly County Council proudly marked a significant achievement in its sustainable mobility and tourism strategy with the official opening of the new Ballycommon Trailhead as...

Cork County Council Opens Extensions to Clonakilty and Bandon Active Travel Routes

Route Updates

02 Oct 2025

Cork County Council Opens Extensions to Clonakilty and Bandon Active Travel Routes

Cork County Council has officially opened extensions to two segregated pedestrian and cycle routes in West Cork. The ribbons were cut on the walkways in...

Louth County Council Completes Carlingford Lough Greenway Connecting Newry and Carlingford

Louth County Council, in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and East Border Region, is proud to announce the completion of the Carlingford...