The Suir Blueway includes a 21Kms section of cycle path between Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel opened in 2019. The cycle route runs along the banks of the river Suir and is part of the Suir Blueway which extends to a total distance of 53 Kms. The section from Clonmel to Cahir can be traversed by kayak/ canoe only and does not have a cycle path. We will only consider the section that can be cycled here, that is the route starting in Carrick-on-Suir or Clonmel. Cyclists can start from either side or from the mid point at Kilsheelan. Cyclists can hire bikes, see the Hire section of the website here and may start from one side, cycle to the other end, have lunch and return on the same day. Or cyclists may decide to do a shorter trip possibly to the half way point at Kilsheelan.

 

For those visiting the area a trip to Cahir, which is 17 Kms from Clonmel, is well worthwhile. Visit Cahir Castle, originally built in the 13th century. There is a cycle path of 4Kms from the castle to the Swiss Cottage, a hunting lodge used by the aristocracy, is also well worth a visit. The area is known as the Golden Vale, so called, given its high-quality soil that makes it Ireland's best dairy farmland.

 

The area is also famed for its mountain walks. The Golden Vale is surrounded by three mountain ranges, the Comeragh, Knockmealdown and Galtee mountains. Galtymore in the Galtee mountain range is the 3rd highest mountain in Ireland at just under 1,000 metres. There are many options for hillwalkers. Perhaps a day cycling the Blueway, a day hillwalking, a day on the kayaks and a day spent site seeing, taking in the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle, would make an ideal family break.

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It is proposed to extend the cycleway from Carrick-on-Suir to join with the Waterford Greenway but this is some years off as of 2026. 

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The route can be cycled in either direction or over and back for a total of 42Kms. It is very flat with a good underfoot surface.  

There is just one village along the route at Kilsheelan, which is about halfway between the two end points. It may be slightly easier to cycle from Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir as the prevailing wind blows from west to east and there is a very gentle slope down, see profile below.​​​

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A speeded up YouTube video Part 1 of the Suir Blueway Cycle from Kilsheelan to Carrick-on-Suir

A speeded up YouTube video Part 2 of the Suir Blueway Cycle from Kilsheelan to Carrick-on-Suir