Grand Canal Greenway
To understand where the Grand Canal Greenway fits within the Canal system in Ireland it is worth looking at Ireland Canals page here. This shows the sections of the canals that are currently designated as Greenways and suitable for cyclists.
The Grand Canal meets the sea at the aptly named, Grand Canal Dock, in Dublin. The area of Grand Canal Dock has been transformed over the years and now is home to Google and many other tech, legal and financial businesses. The Grand Canal Theatre (renamed The Bord Gais Theatre after selling naming rights) is here as well as many upmarket apartments. The greenway does not stretch all the way out from Dublin to the Shannon River as not all sections are open for cyclists. There are some sections in Dublin city that can be cycled but the sections that are cycleways are very disjointed and are not offered here as greenways.
The section from Hazelhatch to Sallins along the Grand Canal is a dedicated greenway of 13Kms and denoted on this site as the Sallins Greenway. Work has already started to extend the greenway back towards the city, to Lucan, and this will increase its length by 4.5Kms, see the short blue section in the map below.
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In addition, the section of canal from Sallins to Robertstown is also not open to cyclists. There is a very short section about 1Km from Robertstown to Lowtown that is open. Lowtown was a major canal junction in the 19th century when canal transport was at its height. It was here that charges for use of the canals were levied. At Lowton the canal divides between the western and southern transport links. The section to the south heads towards Rathangan, through Monastrevin and to Athy where it meets the Barrow River. This section is open as a greenway and denoted on this site as The Barrow Way.
The section to the west towards Edenderry is not yet open. The section from Edenderry all the way through the midlands through Tullamore on its way to Shannon Harbour is open as a greenway. It is this section that we deal with here and denoted as the The Grand Canal Greenway.
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​In time it is hoped that the section from Sallins to Robertstown will be open to cyclists which will provide a much longer and greatly improve canal connectivity for cyclists.​ See the map below. The sections open to cyclists are shown in Green, the sections where work has not yet started are shown in Red and the section where work has started is shown in Blue.​​​
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Click on the map below to expand it to see more details
The section of the Grand Canal that we discuss here starts at Edenderry and continues through the towns of Daingean and Tullamore and heads on to the Shannon Harbour near Banagher. These towns are all in Co. Offaly. The total distance of just under 70 Kms. All of the greenway is in county Offaly, stretching from the east of the county boundary with Kildare at Edenderry to the west county boundary, touching County Galway at Shannon Harbour, see Ireland County Map here.
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​The original tow-path has been converted to a cycle and walking path. The canal is maintained by Waterways Ireland and is punctuated by canal locks along the route. The underfoot is either asphalt or fine grit. Some sections are shared with motorists but with light local traffic to allow access to individual houses on the route. The shared sections are of asphalt construction. The canal is famous for its fishing. You are bound to pass fishermen hoping to catch roach, bream, perch or pike. Some excellent farmland gives way to bogland and once was a centre of power generation using peat as fuel. These have now given way to using biomass and also wind energy pylons can be seen where once turf was cut to feed the power stations. The route is well signposted and provides a wonderful peaceful cycle. You will encounter little activity on the route, perhaps a few fishermen and you will pass the odd boat or barge working their way through the locks. Only in Tullamore town will you encounter much activity as the route passes right through the centre of the town.
The website by RoadRunner, by Gary O'Neill provides a really excellent detailed breakdown of each of the sections of the route from Edenderry to Tullamore and from Tullamore to Shannon Harbour. It is not at all difficult to decide which side of the canal to use as the route is now very well signposted. Where there may be confusion, this is because both sides can be used.
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The route is very flat, the profile of the route can be found here.
Edenderry to Daingean - 20 Kms
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The greenway starts on the main street of Edenderry town, see Map Grand Canal. This section of the canal is a spur off of the main Grand Canal. Cycle along the spur for about 2.5 Kms until you meet the Grand Canal proper, passing under the main road at Georges Bridge. It is then 17Kms to Daingean town along the greenway running alongside the canal.​
Start of the Grand Canal spur in Edenderry
Daingean to Tullamore - 14 Kms
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The small town of Daingean is on the canal and can be used as a rest point before heading to the larger town of Tullamore, a distance of 14Kms.
Cycle through Tullamore town where there are many places to eat, have coffee or stay overnight.
You will enter and exit Tullamore on the north side of the canal.
The entrance to Tullamore town
Tullamore to Shannon Harbour - 35 Kms
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The canal runs through the centre of Tullamore town. We exit Tullamore and reach the small village of Rahan after 9 Kms.
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On the way to Shannon Harbour we cross over to the north side at Hennesys Bridge which is just past Rahan. We return to the south side at Plunkett Bridge in Pollagh. Shannon Harbour is 14 Kms ahead. This is well signposted.​​​
Pleasure craft at Shannon Harbour