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The greenways that cyclists choose will depend on many factors. Some will want a day trip, others, a cycling holiday. Some will have cars, others will use public transport. Some will have their own bikes, others will hire. Some will want to cycle long distances, others short etc. In addition cyclists will be starting out from different locations.​ Here are some ideas.
Cycling tour starting from Dublin, using rail with own bikes
The tour starts out from Dublin Airport, Dublin Port or from one of the train stations, Connolly Station or Heuston Station. Please see the Rail, Sea and Air pages for information on travelling in the city.
To start on the greenways it will be necessary to get to Leixlip (bikes may not be allowed on these commuter trains to Leixlip) or Maynooth, both are towns west of Dublin in the commuter belt. If you are experienced cyclists you may decide to cycle to these locations, please see the Cycle page here for advice on road cycling in Ireland and also warnings in the Theft page here. Thousands of commuters use these roads daily but I would recommend that you use Streetview to select the best route with most cycle paths and cycle in lighted hours and off peak hours (cycle between 9.30 and 16:30 or in the summer after rush hour which is typically 19:00).
Form Leixlip or Maynooth you will start on the Royal Canal Greenway towards Mullingar and Longford.
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Leixlip - Mullingar 67 Kms
Mullingar - Cloondara 58.5 Kms
Cloondara - Longford 16 Kms
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From Longford head back to Mullingar to cycle the Mullingar to Athlone Greenway.
Longford - Mullingar 58.5 Kms
Mullingar - Athlone 43 Kms
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From Athlone take the train to Westport to cycle the Great Western Greenway.
Westport - Achill Sound 42 Kms
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Cycle the Achill Loop and return to Westport
Achill Loop 44 Kms
Achill Sound - Westport 42 Kms
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The total distance cycled will be 371 Kms.
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From Westport head back towards Dublin. I you wish to extend your trip you could get off the train at Tullamore to cycle the Grand Canal Greenway or alight at Monastrevin to cycle the Barrow Way.
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Then take the train back to Dublin to complete your tour of middle and western Ireland.
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I would suggest booking accommodation in or near Dublin, Mullingar, Longford, Athlone, Westport and Achill and Tullamore.
Cycling tour with car from Rosslare
The tour starts out from Rosslare Harbour where you will disembark. First drive to Waterford to cycle the Waterford Greenway. You will park at your accommodation in Waterford and cycle to Dungarvan and returning the same day or packing some overnight belongings to stay in Dungarvan overnight.
From Waterford drive the short distance to Clonmel, possibly staying overnight and cycling the Suir Greenway. Possibly trying your hand at canoeing on the Suir River and taking in the local sites such as The Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle.
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From Clonmel drive to Midleton to cycle the Midleton to Youghal greenway. ​Perhaps take an opportunity to visit Cork city.
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From the Midleton drive the longer distance to Killarney, staying in Killarney. Cycle the Killarney routes and the Gap of Dunloe.
Drive the short distance to Tralee to cycle the Tralee to Fenit Greenway
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From Tralee drive the short distance to Listowel to tackle the Limerick Greenway
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Heading back to Rosslare Harbour for your journey home.
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Waterford - Dungarvan both ways 92 Kms
Clonmel - Carrick-on-Suir both ways 42 Kms
Midleton - Youghal both ways 46 Kms
The Muckross Lake Route 20Kms
The Gap of Dunloe 35 Kms
Tralee - Fenit both ways 27 Kms
Listowel - Rathkeale both ways 100 Kms
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Total distance cycled on the tour 362 Kms.
Car hire from Dublin and hiring bikes
Those wishing to combine site seeing in Ireland/ Northern Ireland with some cycling might start their holiday from Dublin either coming through Dublin port with own car or through Dublin airport and hiring a car.
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Having visited some tourist attractions in Dublin tourists might head towards Co. Meath to visit the Hill of Tara, Newgrange and the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre.
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One can cycle from Droghera to the Battle of the Boyne site, see page here.
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The Boyne Valley Greenway starts in Navan and and bikes can be hired, see the Boyne Bike Hire page. One can decide to cycle some or all of the greenway.
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From Co. Meath one can drive to Carlingford in Co. Louth to experience the Carlingford to Portadown Greenway. This greenway traverses into Northern Ireland. There are bike hire centres at Carlingford and Newry, see Carlingford Bike Hire page. Again one can decide to cycle some or all of the greenway.​​
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Belfast is not too distant and one can take in the sights of the city or travel further north to the Giants Causeway and the cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
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To return home, head back home on the M1 motorway to Dublin.