Grand Canal Greenway

Works are ongoing to develop sections of the grand canal route to greenway standard. Greenways are recreational, off-road routes for walkers, cyclists and other non-motorised transport. During the current development phase you may experience some disruption to your walking or cycling journey. Please note that undeveloped sections awaiting construction are not suitable for cycling.

Below is a summary of the works to be undertaken by the Local Authorities who have received funding and the areas where ongoing works are taking place.

Progress

The Grand Canal stretches 131 km westwards from Dublin to the Shannon. In total, the main line of the canal including Kilbeggan and Edenderry branches is 144km in length. The pleasant towpaths of the Grand Canal are now undergoing works to upgrade it's towpath to a greenway for the entire length of the navigation.

Completed
Approximately 111km of the Grand Canal now has greenway trail completed.
With Consultant
Approximately 5km of greenway trail is with consultants in Dublin City Council, when completed, it will connect Inchicore to Wilton Terrace, and onwards to Grand Canal Dock. Approximately 200m of greenway trail is in planning to connect the Hazelhatch -Sallins section.
Under Construction
Approximately 28km of existing towpath trail in Kildare has progressed to planning.

Development Status by County

The 5km section between Inchicore - Wilton Terrace is not a completed greenway. Cyclists currently have to use a cycle path that runs along the main road, it is not segregated from the road with physical barriers.

There is approximately 200m of unfinished Greenway at the intersection of the canal and Hazelhatch Road. The greenway resumes east or west of the road crossing.

Local Authority	Location/Section	Approx. Length	Status
Dublin City	Grand Canal Dock - Wilton Terrace	2km	Completed
Dublin City	Wilton Terrace - Inchicore	5km	With Consultant
South Dublin	Inchicore - Lucan	9km	Completed
South Dublin	Lucan - Hazelhatch	5km	Completed
Total Completed		11km

The grand canal greenway is now partially complete or awaiting construction in Kildare. The most recently completed section of 13km was finished in 2024 joining the town of Sallins with Hazelhatch, and now onwards to Lucan and Dublin City.

Local Authority	Location/Section	Approx. Length	Status
Kildare	Hazelhatch - Sallins	13km	Completed
Kildare	Sallins - Edenderry	28km	Awaiting Construction
Total Completed		13km

The grand canal greenway is almost fully complete and open for public use in Offaly, with the only section incomplete, a short section in Tullamore town centre.

Local Authority	Location/Section	Approx. Length	Status
Offaly	Edenderry Branch	3km	Completed
Offaly	Edenderry - Tullamore	31km	Completed
Offaly	Tullamore Town	1km	Under Construction
Offaly	Tullamore - Shannon Harbour	36km	Completed
Offaly	Kilbeggan Branch	7km	Completed
Total Completed		77km