The Limerick Greenway is also known as the Great Southern Greenway
The Limerick Greenway is also known as the Great Southern Greenway
The Limerick Greenway offers you a unique opportunity to explore the magnificent countryside and scenic landscape of West Limerick. This 55-km route offers you a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Starting from Rathkeale, this trail goes all the way to Listowel in Kerry, covering many beautiful places such as Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh and Templeglantine. If you prefer to walk, you may need more than 9 hours to cover the entire trail. Cyclists may need more than three hours to reach the final destination(Listowel).
The Limerick Greenway offers you a unique opportunity to explore the magnificent countryside and scenic landscape of West Limerick. This 55-km route offers you a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Starting from Rathkeale, this trail goes all the way to Listowel in Kerry, covering many beautiful places such as Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh and Templeglantine. If you prefer to walk, you may need more than 9 hours to cover the entire trail. Cyclists may need more than three hours to reach the final destination (Listowel).
The Limerick Greenway is 55-km
The Limerick Greenway is 55-km
The Limerick Greenway runs from Rathkeale to Listowel
The Limerick Greenway runs from Rathkeale to Listowel
Limerick Greenway
Limerick Greenway
The Limerick Greenway starts here at the old station house, there is also a car-park.
The Limerick Greenway starts here at the old station house, there is also a car-park.
When you are in Rathkeale, you can explore the old railway station, which has been converted into the Irish Palatine Museum. Other notable attractions this greenway offers include River Deel, ruins of the 15th century Lisnacille Castle, River Daar, Medieval Desmond Castle, Rooskagh Hills, Barnagh Tunnel, Tullig Wood, and River Allaghaun.
When you are in Rathkeale, you can explore the old railway station, which has been converted into the Irish Palatine Museum. Other notable attractions this greenway offers include River Deel, ruins of the 15th century Lisnacille Castle, River Daar, Medieval Desmond Castle, Rooskagh Hills, Barnagh Tunnel, Tullig Wood, and River Allaghaun.
The Limerick Greenway contains five distinct sections, Rathkeale to Ardagh (9km), Ardagh to Newcastle West (4km), Newcastle West to Barnagh (10km), Barnagh to Templeglantine (4km), and Templeglantine to Abbeyfeale (9km). Abbeyfeale to Listowel (16km)
The Limerick Greenway contains five distinct sections, Rathkeale to Ardagh (9km), Ardagh to Newcastle West (4km), Newcastle West to Barnagh (10km), Barnagh to Templeglantine (4km), and Templeglantine to Abbeyfeale (9km). Abbeyfeale to Listowel (16km).
You can find a greenway symbol in most of the areas, along with white directional arrows. These waymarks will guide you in the right direction. It is not a trail that demands extreme fitness levels. People with moderate fitness levels can choose this greenway. You can take your own time to relax and explore the areas to make the trip relaxing, enjoyable, and exciting.
You can find a greenway symbol in most of the areas, along with white directional arrows. These waymarks will guide you in the right direction. It is not a trail that demands extreme fitness levels. People with moderate fitness levels can choose this greenway. You can take your own time to relax and explore the areas to make the trip relaxing, enjoyable, and exciting.
Trains operated from the 1st. Jan. 1867 to 31st. Oct. 1975. Rathkeale was a busy railway station and was the only location between Limerick and Tralee provided with a gantry to serve container traffic from the nearby factory.
Trains operated from the 1st. Jan. 1867 to 31st. Oct. 1975. Rathkeale was a busy railway station and was the only location between Limerick and Tralee provided with a gantry to serve container traffic from the nearby factory.
Newcastle West is well worth a visit, enjoy Desmond Castle
Newcastle West is well worth a visit, enjoy Desmond Castle
Michael Hartnett keeps a watchful eye on Desmond Castle. This Castle was built by the Fitzgerald family more commonly known as “The Earls of Desmond”, parts dating back from the 13th century and boasts a magnificent banqueting hall. The tower and hall and lower chamber were constructed during the 15th century on the previous 13th-century structure. The castle withstood many battles.
Michael Hartnett keeps a watchful eye on Desmond Castle. This Castle was built by the Fitzgerald family more commonly known as “The Earls of Desmond”, parts dating back from the 13th century and boasts a magnificent banqueting hall. The tower and hall and lower chamber were constructed during the 15th century on the previous 13th-century structure. The castle withstood many battles.
Michael Hartnett died in Dublin and is a favourite son of this town, but its time to return to the Limerick Greenway and visit Barnagh Tunnel which is now accessible from this Greenway.
Michael Hartnett died in Dublin and is a favourite son of this town, but its time to return to the Limerick Greenway and visit Barnagh Tunnel which is now accessible from this Greenway.
The Barnagh Tunnel is now incorporated into the Limerick Greenway adding a further 1.3km to this old rail line. This connects with viewing and rest areas, giving terrific views of Limerick and the Golden Vale.
The Barnagh Tunnel is now incorporated into the Limerick Greenway adding a further 1.3km to this old rail line. This connects with viewing and rest areas, giving terrific views of Limerick and the Golden Vale.
From Above
You are standing adjacent to what was once part of the Limerick to Tralee railway line. Widening of the N21 Road in the 1990s involved removal of a short section of the railway route at this location.
From Above
You are standing adjacent to what was once part of the Limerick to Tralee railway line. Widening of the N21 Road in the 1990s involved removal of a short section of the railway route at this location.
However, a very interesting and scenic stretch may still be explored on foot from here. As you begin your 1km stroll you will be walking along an embankment constructed in the 1875-1880 period. Much of the material for this embankment was excavated from the approach cuttings to Barnagh Tunnel (100 metres long) and from the Tunnel bore. The Tunnel and its approaches are wonderful testaments to 19th century workmanship. Another fine example of the railway architecture is the stone bridge which carries the railway over a minor road. You will shortly walk across this bridge.
However, a very interesting and scenic stretch may still be explored on foot from here. As you begin your 1km stroll you will be walking along an embankment constructed in the 1875-1880 period. Much of the material for this embankment was excavated from the approach cuttings to Barnagh Tunnel (100 metres long) and from the Tunnel bore. The Tunnel and its approaches are wonderful testaments to 19th century workmanship. Another fine example of the railway architecture is the stone bridge which carries the railway over a minor road. You will shortly walk across this bridge.
Today this amenity is a quiet, relatively undisturbed, haven where plant and animal life can prosper. Separate information boards are provided on the flora and fauna. Until 1963 this was a working railway with daily Passenger and Goods trains. It also hosted extensive cattle and excursion traffic. Daily Passenger services ceased on the 2nd February, 1963 but regular Goods trains continued until 1st December, 1972. The line officially closed on the 31st October, 1975 but the track remained in place until final abandonment in November, 1987. The 53 miles (85km) of rails from Ballingrane Junction (near Rathkeale) to Tralee were removed in the following years. Several miles of the better rails were shipped from Foynes to Sudan in Africa for re-use there.
Today this amenity is a quiet, relatively undisturbed, haven where plant and animal life can prosper. Separate information boards are provided on the flora and fauna. Until 1963 this was a working railway with daily Passenger and Goods trains. It also hosted extensive cattle and excursion traffic. Daily Passenger services ceased on the 2nd February, 1963 but regular Goods trains continued until 1st December, 1972. The line officially closed on the 31st October, 1975 but the track remained in place until final abandonment in November, 1987. The 53 miles (85km) of rails from Ballingrane Junction (near Rathkeale) to Tralee were removed in the following years. Several miles of the better rails were shipped from Foynes to Sudan in Africa for re-use there.
The Limerick to Tralee railway had been constructed by several different companies and took many years to complete. Firstly the Limerick and Foyles railway opened in 1856. A 10 mile extension built by the Rathkeale and Newcastle Junction Railway connected Ballingrane to Newcastle West in 1867.
The Limerick to Tralee railway had been constructed by several different companies and took many years to complete. Firstly the Limerick and Foyles railway opened in 1856. A 10 mile extension built by the Rathkeale and Newcastle Junction Railway connected Ballingrane to Newcastle West in 1867.
A lengthy period clasped before the Limerick and Kerry Railway decided on the most practical route for the 43 miles between Newcastle West and Tralee. The steep ascent to the summit here a Barnagh was the problem.
A lengthy period clasped before the Limerick and Kerry Railway decided on the most practical route for the 43 miles between Newcastle West and Tralee. The steep ascent to the summit here a Barnagh was the problem.
The route eventually selected by the Railway Company was over one and a half miles (2.5km) longer than the N21 road journey from Newcastle West and yet it was still feared climb in the age of the steam engine.
The route eventually selected by the Railway Company was over one and a half miles (2.5km) longer than the N21 road journey from Newcastle West and yet it was still feared climb in the age of the steam engine.
‘’Barnagh Bank’’ 2 miles at a gradient of 1 in 60. This resulted in the capacity loads of the trains being only half of what was possible on the rest of the railway network.
‘’Barnagh Bank’’ 2 miles at a gradient of 1 in 60. This resulted in the capacity loads of the trains being only half of what was possible on the rest of the railway network.
The restriction led to the ‘’South Kerry’’ line from Mallow being the preferred access route to Tralee and to the eventual demise of this, the ‘’North Kerry’’ Railway.
The restriction led to the ‘’South Kerry’’ line from Mallow being the preferred access route to Tralee and to the eventual demise of this, the ‘’North Kerry’’ Railway.
After closure the line received an annual weed spray for some years; this visit was May 1981
After closure the line received an annual weed spray for some years; this visit was May 1981
There is a generous car-park at the old Abbeyfeale Station
There is a generous car-park at the old Abbeyfeale Station
From Abbeyfeale we can travel the 16-km to Listowel
From Abbeyfeale we can travel the 16-km to Listowel
The Waterford Greenway
The Great Eastern Greenway
Tralee to Fenit Greenway
The Royal Canal Greenway
The Athlone Greenway
The Cork Harbour Greenway
