New Abbeyfeale Newcastle West Rathkeale Town loops open as part of Great Southern Greenway Limerick redevelopment

The crowd of participants were pictured with Minister Patrick O’Donovan, Cathaoirleach Stephen Keary, Councillor Francis Foley, Brian Kennedy, Limerick City and County Council, and Phelim Macken, Limerick Sports Partnership, at a Family Cycle Event on the Great Southern Greenway to mark the launch of Three New Abbeyfeale Newcastle West Rathkeale Town Loops as part of the Greenway in Limerick.

New Abbeyfeale Newcastle West Rathkeale Town loops open as part of Great Southern Greenway Limerick redevelopment

by ilovelimerick correspondent Chloe O’Keeffe

Three New Abbeyfeale Newcastle West Rathkeale Town Loops integrating the three towns, with the Great Southern Greenway Limerick have been opened as part of the latest phase of the multi-million-euro re-development of the route.

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The New Abbeyfeale Newcastle West Rathkeale Town loops were officially opened Sunday. June 3 by Minister of State, Patrick O’Donovan to coincide with World Cycling Day.

It’s hoped the development of the town loops will attract people using the Greenway into the towns, as up until now it has never linked properly into each of the three towns. This, in turn, will help to boost tourist numbers and the economic development of the three areas.

As part of the New Abbeyfeale Newcastle West Rathkeale Town loops, new brochures, and signage have been created which identify places of interest in each town along with the access points, length, terrain and time to complete each of the various sections of the Great Southern Greenway Limerick. Each loop is colour coded.

Part of the Abbeyfeale to Templeglantine stretch of the Great Southern Greenway which played host to a Family Cycle Event on the Great Southern Greenway to mark the launch of 3 town loops as part of the Greenway in Limerick.

Pink is the Abbeyfeale Town loop, 3.2km taking in the Railway Station, Town Square, Library, Hotel, Main Street and Glórach Theatre.

Green is the Newcastle West Town Loop, 4.5km, visiting the Famine Graveyard, The Demesne, Playground, The Square, Desmond Hall, Fullers Folly, Hotel, St. Ita’s Hospital, Public Library and Desmond Complex.

The last colour is yellow, which is the Rathkeale Town Loop, 3.2km stopping off at the Palatine Museum, River Walk, Hotel, Carnegie Library, Post Office, Community Hall, Augustinian Abbey, and Playground.

The Great Southern Greenway Limerick is a 39-km, off-road walking and cycling route along an old railway line that connects the three market towns of Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West and Rathkeale in West Limerick.

Those who travel along the route are promised a spectacular journey through time, heritage and nature and gives an opportunity for you to learn more about the people, heritage, and environment of one of Ireland’s hidden jewels, West Limerick.

Along this route on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way Region, you will find Norman castles, abbeys, medieval ruins, workhouses, famine graveyards, deserted railway stations, a viaduct and breath-taking scenery. 

Since Limerick City and County Council took over the management of the Great Southern Greenway Limerick in 2015, the local authority has embarked on a multi-million-euro re-development of the 39km route.

All farm and road crossing gates have been upgraded to make them more suitable for cyclists. Drainage, fencing, and surface enhancement works have been carried out while new signage, cycle stands, and benches have been installed.

Future plans include the incorporation of the Barnagh Tunnel and viewing area into the Great Southern Greenway Limerick route and an extension to the greenway to Ballingarrane, north of Rathkeale.

Since the introduction of a pilot counting scheme in Newcastle West nine months ago, figures show that 4,500 pedestrians and cyclists per month are traveling along that section of the Great Southern Greenway Limerick.

Speaking at the opening of the loops Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Stephen Keary said, “It is a fantastic resource to have on our doorstep and I would encourage everyone to use it and enjoy the wonderful surroundings and facilities of West Limerick as the travel along it.”

“Tourism is an incredibly important sector, one that Limerick is beginning to grow. By having these new loops along the greenway, it will attract cyclists and walkers using the greenway into our county towns, as part of their journey.  This will help to drive the economic development of these towns and will help to increase the profile of the greenway, as it will be easily accessible and visible from the towns.”

Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan said, “I’m delighted to officially launch these loops off the Great Southern Greenway Limerick here in Abbeyfeale.  The Greenway has seen its popularity rise steadily over the last number of years amongst locals and visitors alike.”

“Since Limerick City and County Council has developed their tourism strategy, which I led nationally as Minister, greater emphasis has been placed by the Council on the Greenway and this has been supported by the government.  I will continue to the Council and the community in their work on the Greenway as Limerick’s minister.”

Brian Kennedy, Head of Tourism Development with Limerick City and County Council added, “Limerick City and County Council is looking at ways to develop the tourism across the city and county.  The Great Southern Greenway Limerick is a fantastic resource already in place and we are working with the local communities and organizations along the route to make the most of it.”

“The creation of these loops will help drive more people into the three towns.  The loops will help attract more people on to the greenway and into the towns, which will help boost the local economies.  It is a win-win situation for tourism and economic development.”

As part of the launch, and to mark World Cycling Day last Sunday, June 3, a special family cycle has been organized between Limerick City and County Council and Limerick Sports Partnership from Abbeyfeale to Templeglantine Community Hall a distance of around 18kms.

For more info on the Great Southern Greenway Limerick go here.

For more stories on go the Great Southern Greenway Limerick go here.