The glory of the autumnal Limerick Greenway - Green Limerick

In association with Fitzgerald Skip Hire.

AUTUMN leaves blowing in the gentle November breeze, a flurry of auburn and crimson gracefully trickle to the ground. The Limerick Greenway is most certainly a sight to behold but even amidst the autumn colours, an abundance of emerald remains.

As we enter the final autumn month, Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) are encouraging those near and far to experience the beauty and heritage that make up the Limerick Greenway and to visit the five greenway hubs along the popular route.

The greenway saw over 300,000 visitors set their sights on the walkway over the summer months.

Limerick Greenway takes the visitor off-road via the three market towns of Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale, through the 115m Barnagh Train Tunnel and across the cast-iron Ferguson’s Viaduct, both restored relics of the 19th century Limerick to Tralee rail line.

The five visitor hubs are located at Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh and Abbeyfeale.

Director of Services at LCCC, Gordon Daly said: “We are delighted with the continued success of Limerick Greenway, an outdoor recreational amenity in west Limerick that we are very proud of. Our priority is to enhance the Greenway, progressing work on historic buildings and visitor facilities to make the Limerick Greenway experience even better for local people and visitors to our county.”

“The development of facilities at each visitor hub in the towns and villages on Limerick Greenway also helps to support the region socially and economically.”

Two new cattle overpasses and five underpasses are now in place to improve the experience for visitors and the local community, assisting landowners adjacent to Limerick Greenway.

Work is also progressing on the restoration of a historic 19th century Railway Goods Shed at the Limerick Greenway Hub at Rathkeale with new visitor facilities, due for completion in Q1 2024.

The historic railway building was constructed circa 1860-1870 as part of the Limerick to Tralee railway line. The Railway Goods Shed in Rathkeale will accommodate bike hire and new visitor facilities including toilets with a public realm area providing recreational space for locals, Greenway users and visitors to the town alike, featuring picnic benches for gatherings, a water point and a bike repair stand.

Limerick Greenway starts in Rathkeale, home of The Irish Palatine Experience, where the Irish Palatine Centre, tells the story of German settlers in Ireland in 1709 with an exhibition including a library, archive, tea room and gift selection.

At Ardagh on Limerick Greenway, visitors can revel in the history of the Ardagh Chalice, one of the greatest treasures of the early Irish Church. It is part of a hoard of objects found in the 19th century and is replicated by a wooden sculpture outside the Old Station House along the off-road path.

From Ardagh visitors can head for Newcastle West with the opportunity to see one of Ireland’s many surviving medieval banqueting halls at the historic Desmond Castle.

Towards Barnagh exceptional views can be experienced at the Barnagh Viewing Point, 164 metres above sea level, where on a clear day visitors can see across Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Adare and Askeaton, and even as far as neighbouring counties, Clare and Cork and of course Limerick city.

On the way to Abbeyfeale along the Greenway path, just after Templeglantine, the tranquil sanctuary of Tullig Wood is the ideal place to take a breath and enjoy the scenery. Abbeyfeale is where you find the final hub on Limerick Greenway and from here, visitors can avail of the extended 10.5km route to Listowel to meet the Kingdom of Kerry Greenways.

The greenway is an exceptional visit for those who are looking to submerge themselves in nature and biodiversity, the 50km walking route to Listowel is quite frankly full of it. From flowers such as the primrose, cowslip, and wood anemone. Native trees are in abundance and wildlife is visible anywhere you look from multiple species of butterflies, bumblebees and the bats that call the Barnagh Tunnel home. There is plenty to see.

The Abbeyfeale to Listowel 10.5km extension joining Limerick Greenway to the Kingdom of Kerry Greenways officially opened to the public in September 2022.

Limerick Greenway reopened in July 2021, following a €10 million investment by Limerick City and County Council.