Limerick Greenway follows the former Limerick–Tralee railway through the farmland and towns of West Limerick. Limerick City and County Council presents the 40 km off-road route as a journey that can be explored in one visit or broken into shorter sections, with railway structures and local history along the way.
Rathkeale to Newcastle West
Rathkeale is the northern end of the greenway. The restored railway setting includes the Irish Palatine Heritage Centre in the former station and a refurbished goods shed at the greenway hub. The ruins of an Augustinian abbey offer another reason to spend time in the town.
Heading towards Ardagh, the old railway corridor passes beneath five stone bridges. Near Ardagh Station House, a carved replica recalls the Ardagh Chalice, discovered locally in 1868. The onward section reaches Newcastle West, where Desmond Castle and Castle Demesne Park provide options for a break from the ride.
Railway engineering and the western countryside
The route climbs from Newcastle West towards Barnagh, passing over cast-iron Ferguson’s Viaduct. Barnagh Tunnel is 115 metres long; Greenways Ireland describes a short detour from the route through a road underpass to reach the tunnel. Barnagh also has a viewing point and a greenway hub.
Beyond Barnagh, the route continues towards Templeglantine through former railway embankments and beneath stone bridges. The village lies a short distance from the greenway and is associated with the music of the Sliabh Luachra area. Towards Abbeyfeale, Tullig Wood adds a wooded setting to the agricultural landscape. At Abbeyfeale, the Limerick route meets the connection towards the Listowel–Abbeyfeale Greenway in Kerry.
Choosing a ride
Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale are the two ends of the Limerick Greenway, but intermediate access makes it possible to choose a shorter outing. The council lists access at Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh and Templeglantine as well as at the endpoints. At Templeglantine, the council says the greenway is reached one kilometre north of the Halla Inse Bán parking area along a local road.
The council describes full independent disability access from the trailhead car parks at Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. It also lists public toilets at Rathkeale Hub and portable toilets at the Ardagh, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale greenway car parks. Car park hours change with the season, so check the council’s FAQ when planning. Bike hire providers are listed on its greenway website.
A shared railway corridor
The former railway gives the journey a continuous historical thread, from station buildings to cuttings and engineering works. Greenways Ireland credits the Great Southern Trail Action Group, founded in 1991, with campaigning for the trail’s development. Limerick City and County Council took ownership of the route in 2015, and the redeveloped greenway opened in 2021.
The path is shared by people walking and cycling. The council asks visitors with dogs to keep them on a lead and clean up after them; picnic visitors should take their rubbish away. Allow time to leave the corridor for the towns and villages rather than treating the railway features as the only stops.