Suir Blueway Greenway

Carrick-on-Suir Clonmel

Distance

19.9km

Elevation

43m

Time

Cycling: 1h 20m

Walking: 3h 59m

Difficulty

Leisure

Surface Finish

Tarmac/Bound Asphalt

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Overview

The Suir Blueway in Tipperary combines a 21km riverside Greenway from Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel with 53km of canoe trails along the River Suir. This dual offering makes it unique among Ireland’s recreational corridors, appealing equally to walkers, cyclists, kayakers and anglers. The Greenway element is a surfaced path along the riverbank, ideal for family outings or relaxed cycling, while the Blueway’s water-based trails offer paddling adventures past castles, stone bridges and scenic villages.

Carrick-on-Suir, with its Ormond Castle and medieval heritage, provides a lively starting point. The route passes through Kilsheelan and Ferryhouse before concluding in Clonmel, a historic town at the foot of the Comeragh Mountains. The Suir Blueway blends natural beauty with cultural heritage, showcasing lush farmlands, woodlands and river habitats alongside historic mills, churches and bridges. As one of the few Blueways integrated with a Greenway, it provides varied experiences that suit different seasons and activity levels. Whether you prefer to walk a riverside stretch, paddle a kayak through calm reaches, or cycle between towns, the Suir Blueway offers a fresh way to explore Tipperary’s landscapes and communities, encouraging sustainable recreation on both land and water.

Carrick-on-Suir – Kilsheelan

12 km

Starting at Ormond Castle in Carrick-on-Suir, the Greenway follows the river through farmland and under stone bridges. The village of Kilsheelan offers a church with fine stained glass and local cafés.

Kilsheelan – Ferryhouse

Ferryhouse – Clonmel

Amenities

Parking
Toilets
Café
Playground
Food & Drink
Accommodation
bus-stop
EV Charging
Train Station

The River Suir is designated as part of the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation (SAC 002137). This highlights its importance for species such as Atlantic salmon, lampreys, otter, freshwater pearl mussel and white-clawed crayfish. Its clean gravels and fast-flowing sections provide spawning habitat for salmon, while otters use the river margins for foraging and resting. The river corridor supports kingfisher, dipper and grey wagtail, which thrive along its fast waters.

The wooded riverbanks and hedgerows provide habitat for bats, including Daubenton’s bat, which feeds over the water at dusk. In summer, dragonflies and damselflies are abundant, and flowering plants like meadowsweet and purple loosestrife line the banks. The mosaic of farmland, woodland and river margin habitats make the Suir Blueway one of Ireland’s most biodiverse recreational routes. Conservation efforts focus on protecting water quality, controlling invasive species and maintaining riparian vegetation. Visitors are encouraged to keep to designated paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and follow Leave No Trace principles to ensure the Suir remains a thriving ecological corridor for generations to come.

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?

Yes. There is a daily train service between Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir, running on the Waterford City–Limerick Junction line. Current timetables are available on the Irish Rail website.

Can I access the route by bus?

Yes. There are daily direct bus services from Clonmel to Cork, Waterford (including Carrick-on-Suir), Dublin and Kilkenny.

These are operated by Bus Éireann (Routes 245, 354, and 355). Schedule information is available on the Transport for Ireland website.

Are there any EV charging points among the routes?

Yes. EV charging points are located at:

Cahir Castle Carpark (Lat: 52.374, Long: -7.926)

Suir Island Carpark, Clonmel (Lat: 52.351, Long: -7.703)

Townpark, Carrick-on-Suir (Lat: 52.348, Long: -7.410)

News and Updates

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Maynooth–Leixlip Royal Canal Greenway Section Officially Opened by Minister O’Brien

Route Updates

26 Nov 2025

Maynooth–Leixlip Royal Canal Greenway Section Officially Opened by Minister O’Brien

Kildare County Council is delighted to announce the official opening of the Maynooth to Leixlip section of the Royal Canal Greenway. The official opening...

Rathkeale Trailhead Officially Opens as Mayor and Minister Unveil Major Greenway Upgrade

The Rathkeale trailhead facility was officially opened today, by the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry...

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...