The Great Western Greenway
The Great Western Greenway
The Great Western Greenway is 42km and runs from Westport to Achill
The Great Western Greenway is 42km and runs from Westport to Achill
Westport is overlooked by St Patrick, a resting stop for people before embarking on a challenging mountain climb to Croagh Patrick with its Chapel on the summit. Its also gateway to Achill via the award-winning Great Western Greenway which starts just outside the town. But let’s check out Westport.
Westport is overlooked by St Patrick, a resting stop for people before embarking on a challenging mountain climb to Croagh Patrick with its Chapel on the summit. Its also gateway to Achill via the award-winning Great Western Greenway which starts just outside the town. But let’s check out Westport.
This octagonal plinth and column was erected in 1845 for a statue of George Glendenning (1770 – 1843). Used for target practice by Irish Free State troops during the Civil War, the statue’s head was shot off and removed, replaced by Saint Patrick since 1990.
This octagonal plinth and column was erected in 1845 for a statue of George Glendenning (1770 – 1843). Used for target practice by Irish Free State troops during the Civil War, the statue’s head was shot off and removed, replaced by Saint Patrick since 1990.
Glendenning (1770-1843) was a local land agent and banker, rumour has it this statue of “Big George” as he was know, was not erected by loving locals but the large sum of money allocated in his will for the statue to be erected. What’s left of “Big George” can be found in the local Clew Bay Heritage Centre.
Glendenning (1770-1843) was a local land agent and banker, rumour has it this statue of “Big George” as he was know, was not erected by loving locals but the large sum of money allocated in his will for the statue to be erected. What’s left of “Big George” can be found in the local Clew Bay Heritage Centre.
Major John Mac Bride
Major John Mac Bride
John Mac Bride died for Ireland on 5th May 1916
John Mac Bride died for Ireland on 5th May 1916
Major John Mac Bride vice-commandant Irish Republican Army. Major in the army of the South African Republic, organizer of the Transvaal Irish Brigade.
Major John Mac Bride vice-commandant Irish Republican Army. Major in the army of the South African Republic, organizer of the Transvaal Irish Brigade.
We stayed in Westport rented bikes for a return visit to Newport, this is not the best section because the Greenway is running alongside the road in places.
We stayed in Westport rented bikes for a return visit to Newport, this is not the best section because the Greenway is running alongside the road in places.
The Great Western Greenway
The Great Western Greenway
The Greenway starts here, about a mile from town.
The Greenway starts here, about a mile from town.
Launched in 2011, this 42-km greenway offers a perfectly natural environment with panoramic views. It is hard to find a more appealing greenway than this one in Ireland. The number of annual users is more than a quarter of a million nowadays. Starting from Westport, but we can join at Newport, this trail goes through different beautiful access points to reach Achill Island.
Launched in 2011, this 42-km greenway offers a perfectly natural environment with panoramic views. It is hard to find a more appealing greenway than this one in Ireland. The number of annual users is more than a quarter of a million nowadays. Starting from Westport, but we can join at Newport, this trail goes through different beautiful access points to reach Achill Island.
The Westport line was extended to Achill Sound in the 1890s. and this was one of the so-called ‘Balfour Lines’, called after Arthur J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland during the years 1887-91, who introduced the Act providing State assistance for the construction of narrow gauge lines to disadvantaged areas. The first station on this extension was Newport which opened in February 1894.
The Westport line was extended to Achill Sound in the 1890s. and this was one of the so-called ‘Balfour Lines’, called after Arthur J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland during the years 1887-91, who introduced the Act providing State assistance for the construction of narrow gauge lines to disadvantaged areas. The first station on this extension was Newport which opened in February 1894.
This Greenway was officially opened by Enda Kenny TD and Michael Ring TD
This Greenway was officially opened by Enda Kenny TD and Michael Ring TD
This part of the Greenway runs close to the road in parts but with separation
This part of the Greenway runs close to the road in parts but with separation
Welcome to Newport
Welcome to Newport
One of the most striking features of the Newport section of the line is the Viaduct which is a centre piece of Newport, the railway viaduct that once carried steam trains through Newport on their way to Achill, is now preserved as a walkway for native and visitor to enjoy. It spans the Blackoak River, contains seven arches and cost £7,640 to build. The overall length of the viaduct is 305ft (92m) and the width 18ft 6in. The viaduct is constructed of local red sandstone with some limestone facing.
One of the most striking features of the Newport section of the line is the Viaduct which is a centre piece of Newport, the railway viaduct that once carried steam trains through Newport on their way to Achill, is now preserved as a walkway for native and visitor to enjoy. It spans the Blackoak River, contains seven arches and cost £7,640 to build. The overall length of the viaduct is 305ft (92m) and the width 18ft 6in. The viaduct is constructed of local red sandstone with some limestone facing.
St Patrick’s and Harry Clarke Newport
St Patrick’s and Harry Clarke Newport
Edward Lyons
Edward Lyons
Edward Lyons Commandant of the Newport Battalion IRA, arrested 1920 was tortured by British Forces, causing the man to go mad and he died in 1924.
Edward Lyons Commandant of the Newport Battalion IRA, arrested 1920 was tortured by British Forces, causing the man to go mad and he died in 1924.
The line was not opened until 1894 on completion of a nearby tunnel at the end of Newport Station.The first train crossed the bridge in February, 1894, and it was finally closed in September 1937.
The line was not opened until 1894 on completion of a nearby tunnel at the end of Newport Station.The first train crossed the bridge in February, 1894, and it was finally closed in September 1937.
The track appears laid as it is, known as ‘flat-bottom rail’ which featured no chairs attached to the sleepers. This type of track was eventually replaced throughout the system, but lightly used lines like that to Achill and Clifden were never upgraded and by the 1930s were totally life-expired, resulting in their premature demise (Achill line closing in 1937). The sleepers are covered in spoil and gravel, which in those days was a lot finer type than today. I also see there is a check rail visible to prevent any derailments.
The track appears laid as it is, known as ‘flat-bottom rail’ which featured no chairs attached to the sleepers. This type of track was eventually replaced throughout the system, but lightly used lines like that to Achill and Clifden were never upgraded and by the 1930s were totally life-expired, resulting in their premature demise (Achill line closing in 1937). The sleepers are covered in spoil and gravel, which in those days was a lot finer type than today. I also see there is a check rail visible to prevent any derailments.
The tunnels at Newport (not part of greenway) were two of only four constructed on the Midland Great Western, the others located at Galway, and Cross Gunns, Dublin.
The tunnels at Newport (not part of greenway) were two of only four constructed on the Midland Great Western, the others located at Galway, and Cross Gunns, Dublin.
Newport to Mulranny
Newport to Mulranny
Text from above
The Great Western Railway was one of the so-called “Balfour Lines”, so called after Arthur J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland during the Years 1887-91, who introduced the Light Railways (Ireland) Act which provided State assistance for the construction of narrow gauge lines to disadvantaged areas such as West Mayo.
The Great Western Railway was one of the so-called “Balfour Lines”, so called after Arthur J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland during the Years 1887-91, who introduced the Light Railways (Ireland) Act which provided State assistance for the construction of narrow gauge lines to disadvantaged areas such as West Mayo.
The first station on this extension was Newport which opened in February 1894, followed by Mulranny in August of the same year. The line to Achill was completed in May 1895.
The first station on this extension was Newport which opened in February 1894, followed by Mulranny in August of the same year. The line to Achill was completed in May 1895.
The promoters of the line had high hopes for its future and it proved to be a great social and economic asset to West Mayo, however, traffic never consistently reached the levels originally anticipated. Development of road traffic in the 1930’s sealed the fate of the line. the last train ran in the Autumn of 1937, a mere 42 years after the line had opened.
The promoters of the line had high hopes for its future and it proved to be a great social and economic asset to West Mayo, however, traffic never consistently reached the levels originally anticipated. Development of road traffic in the 1930’s sealed the fate of the line. the last train ran in the Autumn of 1937, a mere 42 years after the line had opened.
The Great Western Greenway trail can be divided into three sections, Westport to Newport (11km), Newport to Mulranny (18km), and Mulranny to Achill (13km). If you use a cycle, you need around 5.5 hours to reach Achill Island. Pedestrians have to walk around 11.5 hours to get to the final destination.
The Great Western Greenway trail can be divided into three sections, Westport to Newport (11km), Newport to Mulranny (18km), and Mulranny to Achill (13km). If you use a cycle, you need around 5.5 hours to reach Achill Island. Pedestrians have to walk around 11.5 hours to get to the final destination.
You can enjoy the spectacular vistas of Clew Bay and its surrounding landscape as you go through this amazing trail. There is no need to complete the entire 42-km route. This greenway comes with many entry points that let you choose a convenient small section based on your fitness levels and stamina.
You can enjoy the spectacular vistas of Clew Bay and its surrounding landscape as you go through this amazing trail. There is no need to complete the entire 42-km route. This greenway comes with many entry points that let you choose a convenient small section based on your fitness levels and stamina.
As you walk or cycle from Westport to Newport, you can come across more than 15 entry points to reach the greenway. From Newport to Mulranny, you can enjoy the spectacular views of Clew Bay and the surrounding islands. This route also gives you a glimpse of the majestic, towering cone of Croagh Patrick.
As you walk or cycle from Westport to Newport, you can come across more than 15 entry points to reach the greenway. From Newport to Mulranny, you can enjoy the spectacular views of Clew Bay and the surrounding islands. This route also gives you a glimpse of the majestic, towering cone of Croagh Patrick.
Welcome to Mulranny
Welcome to Mulranny
The hotel was equipped with every modern convenience of the time, including electric light, and by 1900 hot and cold water baths were also available. patrons had access to sandy beaches and the use of the hotel’s boats and golf links.
The hotel was equipped with every modern convenience of the time, including electric light, and by 1900 hot and cold water baths were also available. patrons had access to sandy beaches and the use of the hotel’s boats and golf links.
Just a glorious way to spend the day in the West of Ireland, the Hotel is bike friendly, and can be hired from the old station house at the rear of Hotel.
Just a glorious way to spend the day in the West of Ireland, the Hotel is bike friendly, and can be hired from the old station house at the rear of Hotel.
At the back of the Mulranny Hotel sits the Old Station House, bikes can be rented here and rest rooms are available. This is our starting point to Achill and is the flatest part of this greenway.
At the back of the Mulranny Hotel sits the Old Station House, bikes can be rented here and rest rooms are available. This is our starting point to Achill and is the flatest part of this greenway.
What to expect in the route between Mulranny to Achill? This is the most impressive section of Great Western Greenway. You can enjoy the stunning views of Mayo’s rugged coastline as you walk or ride a bicycle through this route. Other prominent attractions include Danlann Yawl Art Gallery, Cartron River, Nephin Beg Mountains, Old Railway Station House, and many more. Great Western Greenway is a favorite greenway for many travelers across the planet.
What to expect in the route between Mulranny to Achill? This is the most impressive section of Great Western Greenway. You can enjoy the stunning views of Mayo’s rugged coastline as you walk or ride a bicycle through this route. Other prominent attractions include Danlann Yawl Art Gallery, Cartron River, Nephin Beg Mountains, Old Railway Station House, and many more. Great Western Greenway is a favorite greenway for many travelers across the planet.
The Waterford Greenway
The Great Eastern Greenway
Tralee to Fenit Greenway
The Limerick Greenway
The Royal Canal Greenway
The Athlone Greenway
The Cork Harbour Greenway
