In this post I am going to take a look at what is currently the start of the Royal Canal Greenway at Maynooth Harbour and heading west as far as Enfield Bridge, a distance of 18.7 kilometres. Location. The completion of the Royal Canal Greenway in 2019 will improve the tourism profile of Enfield, increasing visitor numbers to the town centre as well as providing an invaluable recreation resource for the town. The next stop will be Enfield were lunch or a picnic will be arranged. The enchanting Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath, ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages. Table reproduced from ‘Waterways Ireland’ Guide to the Royal Canal pages 64-67 Details on our Smart-Tag system can be found at Royal Canal Smart-Tags 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103 Phoenix, Arizona 85021-4951 And Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023 Prepared By Robert W. Clarkson U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Phoenix Area Office P.O. It is nearly 1 kilometre from the end of the college wall to the next landmark of Jackson’s Bridge and the 14th Lock. The enchanting Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath, ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages. Very inspiring I’m definitely going to cycle it this summer thanks for all the detailed information regards. Once you are fueled again you’ll be ready for the cycle back to Maynooth or, if you are taking it easy, the intercity from Sligo stops in Enfield roughly every 2 hours and will see you back to Maynooth or Dublin Connolly. Be Safe and be Seen! The tarmac continues from the 16th Lock for just over 1 kilometre as far as Allen Bridge which is known locally as Spins Bridge. Littering spoils the Greenway experience for everyone. In the near future it is expected to extend further with a route from Athlone to Galway linking Dublin and Galway in a true Coast to Coast route for cyclists and walkers. However when you pass under the bridge you can still see the original arch. Kilcock and Enfield are serviced by both bus and rail. The Rye River Cafe is also another popular spot for breakfast or lunch not far off the canal. The trail is mostly off-road. Change ), Exploring the Banks of Ireland's Historic Canals, on Royal Canal Greenway: Maynooth to Enfield, Royal Canal Greenway: Enfield to Thomastown, Walking on the Royal Canal: Confey to Maynooth, Walking on the Royal Canal: North Wall to Cross Guns Bridge – Royal Canal Runner, Walking on the Royal Canal: Confey to Maynooth – Royal Canal Runner, Walking on the Royal Canal: Castleknock to Leixlip Confey – Royal Canal Runner, Walking on the Royal Canal: Cross Guns Bridge to Castleknock Train Station – Royal Canal Runner, Cycling the Royal Canal: Enfield to Thomastown – Royal Canal Runner, Cycling on the Royal Canal: Thomastown to Mullingar Harbour – Royal Canal Runner, Cycling on the Royal Canal: Mullingar Harbour to Coolnahay – Royal Canal Runner, Cycling the Old Rail Trail: Mullingar to Athlone – Royal Canal Runner, Walking on the Royal Canal: Coolnahay to Ballynacargy Bridge – Royal Canal Runner. As we continue west for 2.75 kilometres towards McLoughlin’s Bridge and the 17th Lock (which is locally known as Ferns Lock) we cross the county border from Kildare to Meath. The Royal Canal Greenway is a major training ground for the runners of Maynooth and Kilcock. Moving on past North Kildare Club with its rugby, cricket and hockey pitches it is another 750 metres to Chamber’s Bridge and the 15th Lock. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Dogs need to be kept on a short lead at all times - please clean up after them. Learn how to create your own. Since 2015 great progress has been made on the Royal Canal greenway and it is now almost entirely complete from Maynooth to the Shannon in Longford. (97sq.m.) These measure the distance not from the River Liffey but rather from Broadstone. Kilcock Harbour has been wonderfully restored and is home to Kilcock Canoe Polo Club. As we must dismount to cross the road at Shaw’s Bridge, you may wish to stop for some refreshments before continuing on. A new spillway has been completed not far west of the bridge which replaced a narrow wooden bridge over a dip of the old slipway. But work is still in planning and construction on much of it from Dublin to Maynooth. Bike at Maynooth Harbour In this post I am going to take a look at cycling from what is currently the start of the Royal Canal Greenway at Maynooth Harbour and heading west as far as Enfield Bridge. It has an island with nesting swans in the centre. This map was created by a user. Work is ongoing between Maynooth and Castleknock in Dublin where some stretches are difficult for walking and cycling. The 17th Lock is the last double-chambered lock on the Royal Canal coming from Dublin and marks the start of The Long Level which is a 32 kilometer stretch before the 18th Lock at Thomastown. In 2005 Jons Engineering were contracted to widen and realign the bridge to make it safer for the traffic it carries over the canal. I have free travel, so the train option is a privilege. Starting in cosmopolitan Maynooth, it follows the 200 year old canal through friendly Enfield and lively Mullingar to charming Cloondara in Longford, with cafés, picnic spots and attractions along the way. Not long after the forest, we pass a farm house which leads us back onto a tarmac surface for the last 2 kilometers to Cloncurry Bridge. It would have been built between 1790 and 1796 making it a contemporary of the near by St. Patrick’s University which opened in 1795. Distance: 23.5km In the last post I left off as we reached Enfield Bridge by the railway station. In total it is just under 6 kilometres from Maynooth Harbour to Kilcock Harbour. The distance was good for me, and it was fine to stop in Kilcock, although next time I would go on to Maynooth and then look for a rest stop. Just to say this is a really great, well-researched resource, and I plan to try to use it on my newly acquired hybrid bike this Winter. This is a shared use trail so please be considerate of other users. This marks the start of the Royal Canal parkrun, Kilcock which is a weekly, free 5k run that goes out west and comes back on the banks of the canal. In this post I will look at the stretch from Enfield to Thomastown Harbour, all of which lies on the Long Level of the Royal Canal. We recommend you start your journey at a Trailhead. Annex 1: The Old Rail Trail – Mullingar to Athlone. Move curser to bottom of chart and click next to move to next table. Before Mullingar, it was carved into rocks for a bit of variety. As part of the work to create the Royal Canal Greenway the bridge was extended to give users safe passage under the bridge rather than force them through the narrow passage that still exists. The Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath passing through the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East to the Hidden Heartlands, taking in the counties of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford. Jackson’s Bridge is made up of 5 spanning arches including a narrow pedestrian arch (for which cyclists should dismount), the canal, the railway and two arches for farm animals on the south bank. • Sept 17: Enfield – Kilcock (via Royal Canal Greenway) • Sept 18: Kilcock – Clonsilla (via Royal Canal Greenway) • Sept 19: Clonsilla – Combe Hospital She returned to Ireland in 1932 where she lived in nearby Kilbrook until her death in 1943. Information on many of these places can be found on the Maynooth Town Website. Booking with Irish Rail is advised with bike as the trains can only facilitate 2 bikes per train. Greenways are also been built along river and canal towpaths. There are several distances you can choose to cycle: Kilcock 7km, Enfirld 20km or Furey’s in Moyvalley 26km. Starting from the completed route from Maynooth (over 100km in total) – with sections still under various states of development in Dublin – it runs west toward Athlone or Longford Town, depending on what … The area around Cloncurry is probably best known from the poem The Old Bog Road by Teresa Brayton, an Irish Nationalist from Kilcock who emigrated to America in 1895. Leaving Ferns Lock we remain on the north bank on one of the most recently completed sections of the Royal Canal Greenway. ( Log Out /  2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103 Phoenix, Arizona 85021-4951 And Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023 Prepared By Robert W. Clarkson U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Phoenix Area Office ... Canal than in reaches 1 (7) and 2 (4) (Tables 4-5). Maynooth Harbour just before dawn On reaching Enfield there are a variety of places to take a break. On coming out on the other side of Allen Bridge we return to the light stone dust surface. Royal Canal Greenway: Enfield to Thomastown. Map showing the Royal Canal Greenway - 22km of it passes through Meath. She wrote widely on the themes of exile, nostalgic loss of homeland, nationalism and religion. Trailheads are where you will find most visitor services, accommodation, food, parking and hire. A maximum of 7 species was taken any single station, Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Ferns Lock has several features around it. We depart Maynooth heading west on a tarmac path heading a short distance of 500 metres before we encounter Bond Bridge which was originally built in 1795. The Royal Canal Greenway is a long-distance walking and cycling trail that follows the towpath of the canal from Dublin's docklands to Clondra in county Longford, passing through Kilcock, Longwood and Enfield. To date, over 100km of the Royal Canal Greenway is accessible, it heads west from Dublin’s north side, along the … One of the few disadvantages of travelling on the smooth north bank now is that you miss the original 22 and 23 Mile Markers for the canal, 2 of the very few ones left standing. A favourite of mine would be the Street Side Cafe. A footbridge gives access to the north bank and the Royal Canal Greenway. The South Campus wall of the university keeps us company for 750 metres as we leave Maynooth behind us. The Royal Canal opened to commercial traffic in December 1796, six years after construction started. Dist.1. It is common to find several barges and Waterways Ireland work boats moored up at the bridge. The enchanting Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath, ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages. Welcome to Boards.ie; here are some tips and tricks to help you get started. Description ***Now Selling*** Royal Canal Walk, Enfield, Co. Meath 2 Bedroom Detached 979 sq.ft. Enfield: Shops, pubs and eateries.Kilcock: Shops, pubs and eateries. There are several access points to the Westmeath Royal Canal Greenway from various public roads. Like Maynooth and Kilcock, Enfield also has a Supervalu close to the canal for those looking for a supermarket. This old stone wall separates the canal bank from the playing fields and grounds of the old campus. ... After lunch, you’re group will be fitted for your bikes before exploring the Royal Canal Greenway for the afternoon. Comprising 2, 3 & 4 bedroom style properties, all offering excellent space and a standard of finish that is synonymous with Westin Homes developments. Littering spoils the Greenway experience for everyone. Please use crossing points provided and please cross with care. There, a Greenway leads off on an old railway line to Athlone, a project that will be continued all the way to the west coast. That said the Royal Canal Greenway is a major training ground for the runners of Maynooth and Kilcock. Thankfully the north bank is now complete and is a pleasurable cycle. Remember to Leave no Trace. The bridge coming into the lock no longer has an arch and now has a low concrete plinth which has been known to catch the top of wheelhouses of boats passing under it. Map Ref. It is easily accessible from Dublin, with Maynooth Train Station lying on the south bank of the canal. Royal Canal Way. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Cycle at a safe speed. Finally we approach our destination of Enfield Bridge, 18.7 kilometres from where we started at Maynooth Harbour. Allen Bridge was originally built in 1796 but like Bond Bridge and Shaw’s Bridge, it was later modified for modern traffic. Closest to the bridge itself is the Bridgehouse pub which does pub grub. There is just one remaining section between Kilcock and Enfield that remains to be completed and is currently in the planning process. … In this post I am going to take a look at cycling from what is currently the start of the Royal Canal Greenway at Maynooth Harbour and heading west as far as Enfield Bridge. Maynooth Harbour, located on the 13th level of the Royal Canal, is a great place to start. The access points are listed below and shown on the map, some of which will have parking facilities and amenities. Southeast Greenway incorporating the Kilkenny Greenway; Youghal Midleton Greenway; Dublin – Galway (Athlone to Galway) One such barge is Anam Cara (previously Maeve) which was once used by actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales in their Channel 4 series Great Canal Journeys as they explored the Shannon-Erne Waterway. The Royal Canal Greenway is generally level and surfaced. As we reach the end of the college wall we pass the old college farmhouse and sheds. D’Arcy’s Bridge, Hyde Park, Killucan. Work on the Royal Canal Greenway is well advanced between Maynooth in County Kildare and the Shannon in County Longford. There is also a restored storehouse beside the lock, now a private residence. Emergencies - In the likely event of an emergency dial 999 or 112 to contact Emergency Services. Cyclists, please give way to walkers, slow down and ring your bell when approaching. Some caution is needed for the first kilometer of this as it is on a public road by the canal until you pass through a pair of wooden gates back onto the dust surface of the Royal Canal Greenway. However at some locations, the Greenway crosses a main road. West of Maynooth the greenway is almost finished, bar a few sections. Ultra Distance Runner and Royal Canal Enthusiast. Kilgar House & Gardens, St Mary’s Abbey, Trim Castle, Trim Visitor Centre and Medieval Armoury, Boyne Valley Activities, Black Friary Archaeology School, Hill of Tara. After passing under Bond Bridge we transition from tarmac onto a smooth, light stone dust surface which will be the norm for most the way to Enfield. ( Log Out /  It is a rare complaint on the Royal Canal that the water level is too high for such problems to happen. Visit the tourism website (link below) to see options close to this trail. This happened the Heritage Boat Rambler during filming of the late Dick Warner’s Waterways – The Royal Canal series for RTÉ. Gradients are kept to a minimum and you'll find plenty of places to rest along the way. A wet run out on the #royalcanalgreenway and the swans had no interest in posing for a photo! The canal was often on an elevated dam, affording us views of wintery fields left and right. Enfield benefits from direct access to the Royal Canal and inland waterway system. ( Log Out /  The Greenway runs along the towpath of the Royal Canal which was constructed between Dublin and Longford at the turn of the 18th century to connect the River Liffey to the River Shannon. Maynooth Harbour is a triangle shaped harbour with a slipway on the town side. The Royal Canal crosses back and forth across this county line several times as the canal makes its way west. ( Log Out /  News Ann Casey Published: February 24, 2021, 18:07 Cllr Noel French at Enfield Harbour. This is a grassy and often muddy trail generally unsuitable for cycling. The barge was also used for the TV3 series Jingle Jangle which featured a large array of prominent Irish musicians as the barge made its way west from Dublin to Cloondara on the Royal Canal. Royal Canal Walk, Enfield, Co Meath. Remember to Leave no Trace. As we meet the tarmac, the Royal Canal Greenway lines up and runs parallel with a road, a railway, the canal, the greenway itself, another road and the Rye River. future Greenways Ireland. - This 2 bedroom detached property is a rare find on the market and offers the perfect house to downsize or a starter home for a first time buyer. After coming up onto the 16th level there is a small blue container. Directory of services close to Royal Canal Greenway, The Municipal District of Clane — Maynooth (Cloncurry Electoral Division: shops, restaurants, leisure and sports facilities, hospitals, gas stations and other places of interest. Ironman VR7 Completed with a 5k run, 90k cycle and Half Marathon out past Ladychapel. Barges initially started operating between Broadstone and Kilcock. Buildings include the Railway Station, the Station Masters House, Warehouses, a Signal Box and Water Towers. Both the Royal Canal Greenway and the Suir Blueway are built along old towpaths. Leaving Jackson’s Bridge behind we proceed for 1.7 kilometres before we reach the next landmark of Bailey’s Bridge, an accommodation bridge giving the local farmer access to both sides of the canal. As Maynooth is often a starting or finishing point for many taking a day on the Royal Canal Greenway, it is worth noting Maynooth has a fantastic variety of places to eat and drink. The Royal Canal is 145km long. Yesterday I took the train to Enfield and cycled back to Maynooth and I look forward to using your guides for more such trips on my trusty old high Nellie. Map of The Westmeath Royal Canal Greenway. Map of Royal Canal Greenway, The Municipal District of Clane — Maynooth (Cloncurry Electoral Division, Kilbrook). I earned my breakfast roll. These days, the towpath along the Royal Canal is a 130km-long walking and cycling greenway … 130km Royal Canal Greenway officially opens next month | Meath Chronicle News Ann Casey Published: February 24, 2021, 18:07 Cllr Noel French at Enfield Harbour. Box 81169 Phoenix, Arizona 85069-1169 March 1998 The original canal span was built in 1793 while the railway span was abutted in the late 1840’s. Royal Canal in rural County Westmeath north of Kinnegad The Royal Canal (Irish: An Chanáil Ríoga) is a canal originally built for freight and passenger transportation from Dublin to Longford in Ireland. The enchanting Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath, ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages. Welcome to the Royal Canal Greenway, a long-distance, off-road walking and cycling trail connecting Maynooth with Longford Town. Unlike all the bridges we have met so far, McLoughlin’s Bridge has no abutment to a railway bridge and instead is level with a level crossing at the bridge. Wear appropriate clothing for your activity and the weather. Capturing sunset between the trees with reflections on the Royal Canal, A Maynooth bound commuter train chasing the sun beside the Royal Canal. The Royal Canal Greenway is generally level and surfaced. The benefits awaiting communities along the 130km route of the proposed new Royal Canal Greenway were highlighted when staff of Waterways Ireland brief members of Meath County Council at their monthly meeting last week. See www.transportforireland.ie for routes and timetables. It is 1 kilometre from the start of the tarmac surface to Kilcock Harbour. Located in the heart of Enfield Royal Canal Walk is an exclusive development of just 14 homes. An often overlooked plaque to mark the completion and opening of Maynooth Harbour as it is today complete with slipway. At 130km, the Royal Canal Greenway will be the longest off-road Greenway in Ireland when completed. Distance from Meath Border. The 130km trail passes through the lush green landscapes of Ireland’s Ancient East towards the mighty River Shannon in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Take a leisurely cycle along the beautiful scenic Traffic free Royal Canal Greenway to Enfield or Longford or why not try the Old Rail Trail to Athlone and New Lake Cycle to Lough Owel .We have bikes and accessories to suit all ages and fitness levels Hybrids,Electric Bikes,Road Bikes, Kids Bikes,Fun Tandams, Trailers , and Child Seats with our extensive fleet of new alloy bikes, we cater for all Familys , work … Until late in the summer of 2019 it was necessary to travel the 5.9 kilometre section from Ferns Lock to Cloncurry Bridge on the south bank. Coming into Enfield, the railway station and a variety of connected buildings originally opened by the Midlands Great Western Railway company in the late 1840’s can be seen on the opposite bank. After covering the last few sections on my feet, here I take to my bike to cover some more ground as we get further west into more rural landscape. The new bridge opened in 2007 and also has cycle lanes over it with steps accessing the Royal Canal Greenway on the east side and a ramp down the west side. The Royal Canal Greenway is part of European wide network of cycling routes. There is another 500 metres of the light stone dust after Chamber’s Bridge before we reach another stretch of tarmac on the approach to Kilcock. That said the Royal Canal Greenway is a major training ground for the runners of Maynooth and Kilcock. The Old Bog Road was put to music by Madeline King O’Farrelly from Rochfortbridge in Westmeath and has been recorded by many artists. The new section does veer a little away from the canal at a few points but never too far to see and it includes a section where the path winds through a forest. Royal Canal Bike Hire Bike hire is available from our two rental hubs at Maynooth and Enfield Harbours, with a drop-off location in Mullingar, Cloondara, Longford Town & Strokestown, Co Roscommon, covering 130km of the Royal Canal Greenway, with the option to continue your journey to the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park. At the end of Kilcock Harbour is the upgraded Shaw’s Bridge and the double-chambered 16th Lock. Starting in cosmopolitan Maynooth, it follows the 200 year old canal through charming Enfield and lively Mullingar to charming Cloondara in Longford, with cafés, picnic spots and attractions along the way. There is an Applegreen with a Subway just a little further into town for those only looking for light refreshments. Just across the road from the canal is the very popular Black Forest Cafe and Cakery while just a little further into the town there is a Costa Coffee as well as a large Supervalu for supplies. The canal was officially closed to all navigation in 1961, but like the Grand Canal, much of the Royal has been restored in recent decades, and the Royal Canal Way currently follows grassy towpaths, gravel and sometimes tarmac canal-side roads from the Dublin suburb of Ashtown 105 kilometres to the village of Abbeyshrule in County Longford.