TRAVELLING FROM / ADVENTURE FROM EXPLORE FROM ENFIELD ONWARD FROM

M3 Cloondara N5 Longford Ballynacarrigy R394 R156 N4 R154 R156 R125 N55 Lough N4 M3 R158 Owel N52

River R159 Killucan R160 Shannon Edgeworthstown N63 R393 Mullingar R157 Rye Water M4 Killucan Enfield Ballyleague Mount R160 R392 N63 Jessop Bog NHA R392 R149 R393 R156 R397 Longwood R125 R156 R148 Maynooth R148 Lanesborough Coolnahay R158 Harbour McNeads Bridge M6 R392 M4 R159 Blackwater R449 M4 M4 Rye Water River Lyreen N52

Keenagh M4 Dunfierth R390 R407 N55 R148 Bog

Inny River R401 Enfield R399 R389 Lough Kilcock Ennell R393 R391 Donadea R408 Maynooth Forest Park R400 R403 R405 R446 R120

R397 R134 Blackwater R407 Nure R406 Castletown R402 River Lyreen Bog M6 River Clonkeen Geoghegan Dunfierth Liffey Woods Bog R408 1:100,000 1:100,000 1:100,000 1:100,000 0 1 2 4 0 1 2 4 0 1 2 4 0 1 2 4 Kilometers Kilometers Kilometers Kilometers A TRANQUIL JOURNEY... BLUEWAY DO IT YOUR WAY... THE YELLOW ROAD... TRAVEL THROUGH TIME...

One of the biggest towns along the , Longford is full of great Located at the heart of ’s Ancient East just 79km from , the busy market Situated on the main Dublin to rail line, and with hotels, self-catering and B&B’s accommodation options and places to eat and drink after a busy day walking or town of Mullingar in is the ideal location to base yourself for a available, Enfield is a lovely location to overnight on your Royal Canal Adventure. cycling along the Greenway. Located 122km from Dublin and 91km from Sligo, day or weekend exploring the Royal Canal Greenway. Boasting excellent facilities, In Irish the town is known as An Bóthar Buí (the yellow road) which came about due Longford lies on the Dublin to Sligo line of the Irish railway network so is easily award-winning hotels, guest-houses and activities to suit every age, you will be spoilt to the cattle markets that were traditionally held in the town. This often left the main accessed by train or by car. for choice during your visit. The Royal Canal Greenway can be explored in either street of the village covered in yellow hay. The historic River Boyne enters County direction from Mullingar. Pick up a bike at the Activity Zone at Mullingar Harbour. Meath near Longwood, where you can also connect with the Boyne Blueway Trim. Alternatively begin your journey from the tranquil harbour village of Cloondara. This picturesque village is home to plenty of barge boats and the final lock of the canal. From this location you can also explore the Shannon Blueway. Follow the Greenway Ea Follow the Greenway Ea There’s a lot to explore on your journey east from Mullingar towards Killucan. Follow the Greenway east along the canal towards the historic university town of This section of Greenway will take you through open countryside. Bike hire is Maynooth. Look out for the aqueducts along this rural section of Greenway. Follow the Greenway South from Longford Town available at weekends and can be pre-booked for your return journey from From Longford Town access the Greenway from Canal Walk and follow the 8km Mullingar Bike Hire’s Mobile Unit located at McNead’s Bridge. Longford Branch line of the Royal Canal. This completely flat route provides an excellent way to enjoy some of Longford’s unspoilt landscape. As you reach the Follow the Greenway We Royal Canal Greenway, the choice is yours whether to journey north along the Follow the Greenway We canal towards Cloondara, or explore south along the canal towards Ballymahon From Enfield follow the Greenway west through open countryside towards Longwood From Mullingar Harbour cycle or walk along the Royal Canal Greenway towards and . (Ribbontail Paddlers clubhouse), Hill of Down and Killucan. This quiet section of Coolnahay Harbour and Ballynacarrigy. The ideal place to stop and enjoy a picnic, Maynooth is a picturesque and bustling university town in north County , Greenway is ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. spend some time in Coolnahay exploring the quaint historic Lock-keepers cottage just 24km west of Central Dublin. Packed with great places to eat, shop and stay, and watching boats pass through the lock. Maynooth is the ideal location to begin your Royal Canal Greenway adventure. The Follow the Greenway North to Cloondara town is also serviced by the Dublin to Sligo rail line which makes it a great starting point for those staying in Dublin looking to escape the city for an afternoon. Once you reach the Royal Canal, follow it north for a further 8km to Cloondara Old Rail Trail Greenway village. This section provides a tranquil and safe environment along the quiet In Mullingar at Newbrook and , the Royal Canal Greenway seamlessly links with Maynooth to Dublin section of Greenway coming soon. banks of the Royal Canal. the Old Rail Trail, a 42km Greenway from Mullingar all the way to the in . This Greenway traces the historic Midlands Great Western Railway track, past restored station houses, under pretty stone arched bridges and through areas of unique Follow the Greenway South from Cloondara biodiversity and heritage. Follow the Greenway We of lock gates towards Keenagh and Ballymahon. A great place to stop along this MULLINGAR BLUEWAY TRAIL AND ACTIVITY ZONE Pick up the Greenway and follow the canal west through open countryside towards section of trail is the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre located close to the Greenway Kilcock and Enfield. Stop for a rest and some refreshments at Kilcock or Enfield at Keenagh. Unique to this section of Greenway is the 22km Royal Canal Blueway, developed by before returning to Maynooth or continuing to Longwood or Mullingar. in 2018 with support from Westmeath County Council. The perfect addition to your Greenway journey, this paddling trail is ideal for experiencing the

Blueway online: www.bluewaysireland.org Located in Mullingar Harbour, the Blueway Activity Zone is the ideal location to hire a bike from Mullingar Bike Hire or begin your on-water Blueway Adventure. The zone

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Whether you are planning a car-free weekend or want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life for a day, the Royal Canal Greenway has something for everyone. The choice is yours whether to explore the Greenway on foot or cover WELCOME TO THE ROYAL CANAL GREENWAY more ground on two wheels. We suggest that to make the most of your visit to the Greenway you explore this long-distance trail in shorter sections from the towns of Welcome to the Royal Canal Greenway, a long-distance, off-road walking and cycling Maynooth, Enfield, Mullingar, Longford & Cloondara. These sections oer a wide trail connecting Maynooth with Longford Town. The 130km trail passes through the lush green landscapes of Ireland’s Ancient East towards the mighty River Shannon range of accommodation options as well as restaurants and cafes to refuel after a in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. day on the Greenway.

In this guide we have suggested sections to explore for a day or afternoon on the For more information visit www.royalcanalgreenway.org Greenway. Pedal your way along tranquil paths bursting with wildlife and birdsong, or watch barge boats pass by as you explore the Greenway on foot. EASY ACCESS TO THE GREENWAY The Royal Canal Greenway is generally level and surfaced. Gradients are kept to a minimum and you’ll find plenty of places to rest along the way. ENJOY A SAFE GREENWAY JOURNEY Shared Paths – Be aware of and considerate to other path users you meet. Cyclists, please give way to walkers, slow down and warn of your approach. Please ensure dogs are kept on a lead at all times.

Be Seen! – You should wear appropriate clothing for your activity and the weather.

Road Crossings and Road Safety - On the Royal Canal Greenway you will be away from traffic as the trail is mostly off road. However at some locations, the greenway HISTORY OF THE crosses a main road. Please use crossing points provided and where there isn’t an ROYAL official crossing point, please cross with care. CANA Work commenced to build L the Royal Canal in 1790. For three decades the canal was the main mode of VISITOR I transport for cargo and passengers through LOCAL NFORMATIO midlands Ireland. In 1845 the entire canal was purchased by the N Midlands Great Western Railway Company and o cially closed to navigation by 1961.

Mullingar Tourist Oce - Market House, Market Square, Mullingar www.royalcanalgreenway.org In 1974 a body of enthusiasts formed the Royal Canal Amenity Group to rst protect and then Tel: +353 (0)44 934 8650 | Email: [email protected] | Web: www.mullingar.ie DISCOVER THE restore and develop the canal as a public amenity. Today Waterways Ireland is responsible for the canal, and it was under their stewardship, in association with the Royal Canal Amenity Group, that Longford Tourism Oce - Market Square, Longford the Royal Canal was o cially reopened from Dublin to the Shannon in 2010. This led to extensive Tel: +353 (0)43 334 3509 | Email: [email protected] | Web: www.visitlongford.ie work on the towpaths and the development of the Royal Canal Greenway by Local Authorities, Public Bodies and local communities. Visit Kildare - Level 7, Aras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, ROYAL CANAL GREENWAY Tel: +353 (0)45 898 888 | Email: [email protected] | Web: www.intokildare.ie Along the Greenway you’ll also discover the National Famine Way, a digitally and physically waymarked 167km walking trail that connects Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommom with Custom Supported by Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Kildare County Councils. House Quay in Dublin. For more information visit www.nationalfamineway.ie