If you’re following the Newport to Mulranny stretch of the Great Western Greenway in Co Mayo, expect to have your breath taken away.
This 18km section passes by the coastline of the Corraun Peninsula. You’ll make a gradual ascent from the tidal Burrishoole channel towards Mulranny – the reward is the stunning views out over Clew Bay and the hundreds of little islands dotted below.
In Mulranny Village you’ll find the Station House, now a centre for greenway users offering visitors plenty of amenities including a shop, toilets, showers, refreshments and bike hire options.
Along the way, you’ll catch views of the rugged Mayo coastline and the Achill Sound. Think sparkling water, field upon field of undulating land in hues of green and brown and an expansive sky.
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You’ll likely feel the wind on your face, hear the sound of skylarks and curlews as they wheel above, and if you’re lucky, the sun will shine. There’s no traffic or congestion in this peaceful rural part of the country, which is, of course, part of its charm.
There are 20 established greenways in Ireland, including the Great Western Greenway, the Waterford Greenway, the Old Rail Trail Greenway, the Limerick Greenway, the Royal Canal Greenway and the Suir Blueway. This year alone, more than €60 million is being spent on new Irish greenway projects, with nearly 300km of new or improved greenways delivered since 2021.
There is also a Government commitment to deliver 50km of greenways between 2026 and the end of 2027. So far this year there have been section openings on the South East Greenway, connecting Waterford City and New Ross, and the South Kerry Greenway. Work is ongoing on progressing many other projects across the country.
Each greenway has its own distinctive character, reflecting a range of landscape types such as peatland, waterways, coastal, urban edges or forest, and offering picturesque scenery and tranquil surroundings. It is this combination of accessibility, natural beauty and sense of place that attract large numbers of walkers and cyclists.
In addition to showcasing our beautiful landscapes, these routes are designed to be inclusive to users of all abilities with a smooth surface and are relatively flat. Greenways are generally suitable for pedestrians, wheelchair users, children in buggies and a range of other bicycle types.
‘We’re so blessed to have such beautiful scenery here, and the greenways give us access to it’
— Helen Guinan, Co Cork
Greenways are, however, not just for once-off visits or tourist expeditions. An increasing number of Irish people are using them to commute.
Brian Lowe, originally from Southampton, runs a medical training company in the UK and has been living near Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, with his wife Susie, an HR professional, since 2014.
The couple have two daughters: Hannah (12) and Emma (10) who attend Kilmacthomas Primary School, which is located on part of the Waterford Greenway, and the family take full advantage of this fact. “Sometimes we walk to school with the children from home,” says Brian. “But more often than not, we drive to the Greenway car park, park our car and walk the rest of the way. It takes about 10 minutes in total.”
It may be a short walk, but it’s enough to have an impact on their life when undertaken regularly. “It’s a great way for the girls to get some exercise, and talk to myself and Susie first thing in the morning,” he says. “It means they arrive at school feeling relaxed and calm, with the ability to concentrate on their school work.
“After school, it’s an opportunity for them to run off a bit of physical energy, and tell us about their day, as we walk. By the time, we get back to the house; they’re ready to focus on their homework as they’ve had a break between school and home.”
Whenever possible they do the walk together as a family. “We all love the Greenway,” he adds. “It’s the most amazing facility to have on our doorstep.”
He agrees that time in nature is important and especially when we spend so much of our day using devices. “Being outside, in a beautiful natural environment like the greenway feeds the soul,” he says. “The Waterford Greenway is lovely in all weathers,” he adds. “You’ve got field after field, tons of greenery and trees. There’s a brook that runs through part of it and of course, the stunning Comeragh Mountains in the distance.”
This section of the greenway follows the old railway line and you can still see the tracks. “The land is mostly quite flat which makes it accessible for everyone,” he says.
They walk the same route in all weathers and all year-round. “When it’s raining we just cover up and keep going; and when the sun is shining, it’s spectacular. It really lifts your spirits.”
Helen Guinan, a 64-year-old from Offaly, uses the Cork Marina to Passage West Greenway to commute into Cork City Centre when attending the gym, doing her shopping or visiting friends. “I used to cycle into Cork City, from my home in Blackrock in Cork, but cycling along the Greenway is a different feeling entirely,” she says. “You’ve got the wind in your hair and fresh air in your lungs, and you’re surrounded by lovely scenery. There’s a great sense of freedom to it.”
The retired school principal likes the fact that the greenway is wide enough to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. “The width of the greenway is really critical. I’m always mindful of other people who are walking when I’m on the bike,” she says.
It allows her to commute faster than she would in a car, given the lack of traffic. “It’s also less stressful; I arrive at my destination relaxed and typically in good humour,” she says. “What’s more, if I’m cycling with someone, I can chat to them, which I can’t do in traffic. It’s an ideal place too for children to cycle as it’s safer than a city.”
She also cycles for pleasure with her husband, Patrick Murray, who runs a shop selling electric bicycles, and they often plan holidays around greenways in other parts of the country. “It’s a fantastic way to see Ireland,” she says. “We’re so blessed to have such beautiful scenery here, and the greenways give us access to it.”
The Cork Marina to Passage West Greenway is still a work in progress, and she’s looking forward to its eventual completion. “Cork City Council has done fantastic work with the Marina and it’s really world class, and I’m looking forward to the eventual completion of the greenway.
“It’s changed the lives of many local people here for the better,” she adds. “We’re really very lucky to have the option of commuting on it.”
From weekend escapes to everyday journeys, Ireland’s greenways offer a better way to travel.
Visit greenways.gov.ie to explore routes across the country, plan your next adventure and discover how Greenways can connect you to work, nature and local communities
