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Limerick Greenway since opening - Pictured at the launch are from left: Daniel Butler, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick and John Guina, Limerick Greenway staff. Picture: Sean Curtin/True Media Limerick Greenway since opening - Pictured at the launch are from left: Daniel Butler, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick and John Guina, Limerick Greenway staff. Picture: Sean Curtin/True Media

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Almost a quarter of a million people have visited the Limerick Greenway since opening

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2 years ago

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Limerick Greenway since opening – Pictured at the launch are from left: Daniel Butler, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick and John Guina, Limerick Greenway staff. Picture: Sean Curtin/True Media

Almost a quarter of a million people have visited the Limerick Greenway since opening  

Limerick Greenway Since Opening Pictured at the launch are from left: Mary Hartigan who lived in the Station House at Barnagh in the 1940’s and 50’s and Sean Harnett who lived there as a young boy in the 1950’s and was the last family to live there. Picture: Sean Curtin/True Media

Pictured at the launch are from left: Mary Hartigan who lived in the Station House at Barnagh in the 1940’s and 50’s and Sean Harnett who lived there as a young boy in the 1950’s and was the last family to live there. Picture: Sean Curtin/True Media

Almost a quarter of a million people have visited the Limerick Greenway since it opened to the public on July 1. The Greenway is Limerick City and County Council’s largest outdoor tourism amenity. 


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Connecting the towns and villages of Rathkeale, Newcastle West, Ardagh, Templeglantine and Abbeyfeale, this €10 million investment has provided a strategic piece of sustainable travel infrastructure and a tourism amenity, which will support local community development socially, culturally and economically. 

Counters placed at strategic locations along the route show that 218,496 people visited the Limerick Greenway since it re-opened to the public on 01 July 2021. 

The data collected shows that over 70% were cyclists and feedback from local hospitality businesses across the region at a very difficult time for the industry has been overwhelmingly positive. 

The busiest day recorded was Sunday, 29 August with 5,230 cyclists and pedestrians enjoying the Greenway. 

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said: “These figures show that the Limerick Greenway has already become a hugely important amenity for the region and with locals and visitors alike remarking at how good the greenway is, its potential is unlimited.” 

“Local communities along the Limerick Greenway have played an important role in its development and ultimately its success. Their passion and belief give the Greenway an authenticity that visitors can enjoy through the people who live here.” 

“It is heartening also to note that we are not resting on our laurels with the Greenway but there are future plans for further development along the route.” 

Gordon Daly, Director of Community, Tourism & Culture with Limerick City and County Council said: “This investment has provided a strategic piece of sustainable travel infrastructure and a tourism amenity, which will support local community development socially, culturally and economically. We will continue to develop and harness the potential of the Limerick Greenway for the betterment of all people in Limerick.” 

Limerick City and County Council led the project with the support of the Department for Rural and Community Development, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Transport and Fáilte Ireland. 

On November 5, the Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler officially launched the complete 40km Limerick Greenway from Rathkeale to the Kerry Border in the presence of Niall Collins, TD Minister of State with responsibility for Skills and Further Education and Patrick O’Donovan, TD Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works. 

“I’m delighted that we’ve reached this historic milestone today. It marks the rebirth of the historic Great Southern and Western Railway here in Limerick giving it a new vibrant future for all the communities as it winds its way through our beautiful landscape. A proud day for all of us.” 

Mayor Daniel Butler unveiled a commemorative plaque in memory of all those who built and worked on the former Limerick-Kerry Railway. 

The plaque, made by local stonemasons W O’Connor and Sons, Newcastle West is engraved with a photograph of Locomotive No. 186 climbing Barnagh Bank on 5 June 1972. 

The inscription reads: 

I gcuimhne ar gach duine a thóg agus a d’oibrigh ar an iar-Iarnród Luimnigh-Chiarraí 

In memory of all those who built and worked on the former Limerick-Kerry Railway 

A Greenway Development programme in partnership with our colleagues and communities in Kerry commences this month. 

It is funded through the LEADER programme and managed by West Limerick Resources and is another example of how local communities are coming together to take advantage of the multiple opportunities the Limerick Greenway presents for existing and potential businesses. 

Built along the former Limerick to Kerry train line, extensive works carried out include the restoration of two 19th century station houses at Ardagh and Barnagh, the renovation of the Barnagh Train Tunnel, the complete reconstruction and resurfacing of the route and installation of new signage, benches and discovery points. 

For more info go HERE 

For more stories on the Limerick Greenway go HERE

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Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.