Royal Canal Greenway
The Royal Canal Greenway is one of Ireland’s premier cycling routes, crossing almost half the island in the east/ west direction. The canal runs from the River Shannon at Cloondara in County Longford and passes through Mullingar in County Westmeath on its way into Dublin and reaching the River Liffey and the Irish Sea at Spencer Dock in the heart of Dublin's docklands.
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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 the pleasure boats use the canal passing through the 46 locks on the way to the sea. Historical buildings remain including lock houses and bridges, remnants of the canal's industrial past, stand as reminders of the once-thriving trade route. Additionally, wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy the canal's thriving ecosystems. The greenway provides habitats for numerous species of birds, fish, and aquatic plants. It’s not uncommon for cyclists to encounter herons, swans, or otters along the way. See the Canals page here for more information.
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The section from Dublin to Leixlip is a bit hit and miss for cyclists as some sections are not yet suitable for cyclists. Generally there is reasonable cycling access from Spencer Dock to Castleknock station in west Dublin, a distance of approximately 10 Kms. But the section from Castleknock to Leixlip, a distance of 9 Kms is not open to cyclists. For that reason, I consider that from a cycling perspective, the Royal Canal greenway starts in Leixlip which is a suburb of Dublin but in County Kildare.
Works are continuing to be carried out on the commuter sections of the Royal Canal in Dublin city, see here from Irishcycle.com. In time it is hoped that the greenway will extend all the way to the Docklands in Dublin.
The greenway from Leixlip to Cloondara is a continuous cycle path for 125 Kms with the following sections. It has a total of 46 locks.
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Leixlip to Maynooth - 7 Kms
Maynooth to Kilcock - 6 Kms
Kilcock to Enfield -13 Kms
Enfield to Thomastown - 24 Kms
Thomastown to Mullingar - 17 Kms
Mullingar to Ballynacarrigy -17 Kms
Ballynacarrigy to Abbeyshrule - 8 Kms
Abbeyshrule to Ballybrannigan - 9.5 Kms
Ballybrannigan to Mosstown Harbour - 9.5 Kms
Mosstown Harbour to Longford Branch Junction - 6.5 Kms
Longford Branch Junction to Cloondara - 8 Kms
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Total distance = 125.5 Kms
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The Longford Branch Junction is the point where the canal divides to create a spur line to Longford town. The distance from the junction to Longford town is 8 Kms, see image below.
To avoid confusion, Tarmonbarry is sometimes considered as the start point of the Royal Canal. It is next lock from Cloondara. Also the harbour at Cloondara is known as Richmond Harbour. These names can be used interchangeably.
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There is also a junction 4 Kms from Mullingar where the Royal Canal and the Mullingar to Athlone greenways intersect. See here the Info page of the Mullingar to Athlone Greenway for more details and images of this junction. ​​
Click on image to read the details
The Leixlip to Maynooth section of the greenway has just been opened in the summer of 2025. It is a very flat surface of fine grit and tarmac in some places. We reach Mullingar Harbour after 7Kms which just opposite the Maynooth railway station. There is paid-for parking at the station. Download the Apcoa Connect app or scan the barcode for parking at the station, it costs typically €3.50 per day.​​​​​​​​​​​​
The town of Kilcock is 6 kilometers from Maynooth. The trail runs through the town providing access to local shops and coffee shops.
The next town is Enfield which is 13Kms from Maynooth. The trail crosses the main road at the side of the railway bridge. Enfield can also be considered a starting/ finishing point given that there is rail station in the town.
Mind your head at Jacksons Bridge just outside Maynooth
Cycle through the village of Kilcock.
In 1847, the worst year of the Irish Famine or in Irish, An Gorta Mor, nearly 1,490 starving natives of County Roscommon were forced to leave their home unable to pay the rent. They walked the 165 Km journey from Strokestown to the Customs House Quay in Dublin where they boarded an emigrant ship for Liverpool and eventually to North America. Many never made it. The shoes along the route are a reminder of those dark days in Irish history and mark the route known as the National Famine Way, and commemorate the "Missing 1,490".
Famine shoes at Enfield bridge
Thomastown Harbour is 24 Kms from Enfield and a resting place to have lunch or a break at Nanny Quinn's pub/ restaurant.
Saunders Bridge on the entrance to Mullingar
Turn left here for Ballynacarrigy
Cycling through Mullingar is very straightforward. There are a number of bridges in the town but most can be traversed without leaving the greenway along the canal. Pass under Saunders Bridge as you enter Mullingar. At Austin Friars Bridge there are pedestrian lights. Dismount and cross. Follow the canal through Harbour Quay under Harbour Street bridge. Continue under the next foot bridge and then under the Green bridge. The train station will now be on your left hand side. Continue on under Grange Bridge where you will see a sign for the greenway to Athlone or more commonly known as the Old Rail Trail. See images and more detail in the Mullingar to Athlone Greenway.
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Follow the canal for about 4 Kms until you reach the Bellmount Bridge. Cross to the other side of the bridge and continue for about 700m until you reach the Old Ballinea Bridge. Cross the bridge and take a right turn a few metres past the bridge. Follow the signs for the Royal Canal Greenway and Ballynacarrigy, crossing under the new road bridge.
The quality of paths between Mullingar and Cloondara can vary widely, see examples below, but all paths are suitable for cyclists on standard road bikes, (I have cycled all of it). It is very flat, see profile below. It can be quiet but also a very enjoyable cycle as you definitely get away from the hustle and bustle and can enjoy and appreciate the scenery and nature along the route.
This area of the country is rural and cafes and places to stop can be few and far between. Bring some refreshments and check the Cafes Royal Canal page for ideas of where you will find a place to have lunch or a coffee. Ballymahon is 1.5 Kms from Ballybrannigan Harbour if you feel you need to take a break at that stage. Please ensure that you have the wherewithal to fix a puncture as it is likely to be a long distance away to find a cycle repair shop, see the Bike Hire and Repair page here.
The 8 Km section between between the Longford Branch Junction and Longford town is, strictly speaking, not part of the Royal Canal Greenway. It is by far the least well maintained. The canal has not been maintained, unfortunately, and is almost invisible in places. The underfoot conditions are not great but it is manageable on a standard road bike. Please see the Travel Royal Canal page for more details of the route. Please see also the Gallery Royal Canal page for more photos of the route.
Excellent surface and Ballybrannigan Harbour
Poorer path surface but still OK for cycling
Given the length of the route there is no single start and end points meaning that it can be joined at many places. The website RoadRunner, by Gary O'Neill provides a really excellent detailed breakdown of each of the sections of the canal, see Gary's website here.
