Waterways Ireland | Things To Do
Things To Do
PAGE TRANSLATED BY Google Translate

Cycling

Cycling

Leisurely lakeshore leisure trips from village to village, commutes from your boat to the nearest shop or restaurant, mountainbiking on forest tracks or long distance cycling routes; these all form part of the waterside biking experience.

Explore the outdoors and cycle along the beautiful waterways. Whether as a group, or solo. There's so many options for people of all ages and stages.

Cyclists using the Canal towpaths should be aware that during the winter period maintenance Nov-March works on the canals may require require the closure of the towpath for short distances. Marine Notices are the quickest way to find out about planned or current closures which may affect your journey​.


Greenways

Waterways Ireland has supported the development of multi-purpose greenways on Canal towpaths on the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal to broaden the type of use and the suitability of the surface for a wide range of use.


Royal Canal Greenway

The enchanting Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath, ideal for cyclists of all ages and stages. Starting in Maynooth, it follows the 200 year old canal through friendly Enfield and Mullingar to Cloondara in Longford, with cafés, picnic spots and attractions along the way. Cycle between any of the main towns and return by train to where you started.

For more information about the Royal Canal Greenway, visit here.

​​​Grand Canal Greenway

Works are ongoing to develop sections of the Grand Canal Towpath to Greenway standard.  

For a summary of the works to be undertaken by the Local Authorities and current development updates on the grand canal towpath, visit here.


Blueways Ireland

With Blueway trails beginning in Mullingar, Lough Derg, the Shannon and the Shannon Erne, there's cycling routes suitable for everyone! 

There's various cycling routes varying in distance and difficulty, from weekend trips to shorter alternatives, suitable for evening spins.

For more information about Blueways Ireland, visit.


 

Use Business Listings​ to find an activity or equipment hire provider.​​


Show More

Why not try Cycling on...

Cycling on the Shannon

Shannon Navigation

Leisurely lakeshore leisure trips from village to village, commutes from your boat to the nearest sh...

Barrow Navigation

Development has commenced to create the Barrow Blueway, a shared-use trail from Lowtown to Athy, acc...

Erne System

Upper and Lower Lough Erne and the linking river sections make up the Erne System and a natural figu...

Grand Canal

Cycling on the Grand Canal is a real mix of urban and rural experiences with big changes in the type...

Lower Bann Navigation

The river navigation does not have a towpath but rural roads lead the cyclist on a 45 mile route on ...

Shannon Erne Waterway

The Shannon-Erne Waterway is a central feature in one of the better known long distance cycle routes...

Select your waterway...

Barrow Navigation

​​​​​Winding its way through peaceful woods, fertile valleys and picturesque villages the Barrow is fully navigable for 68km from Athy to St. Mullins. A significant canalised waterway right up to the 1950’s the Barrow’s industrial past saw commercial barges carrying consignments of barley to the Guinness Brewery in Dublin and later, supplying beet to Ireland’s first sugar factory at Carlow.

Erne System

​The Erne System has its share of dramatic landscapes and historical treasures; the monastic round tower at Devenish Island rising up from the Lough, the ruined remains of Tully Castle, the picture postcard image of Enniskillen’s medieval castle on the edge of its island banks and the National Trust’s Castle Coole and Crom Estate all compete for your attention.

Grand Canal

​Built amid the 18th-century canal fever that swept across Ireland, the 144km Grand Canal stretches across the country from Dublin to the Shannon.

Lower Bann Navigation

​The Lower Bann is navigable from Lough Neagh to the sea at the Barmouth between Castlerock and Portstewart Strand.

Royal Canal

​The Royal Canal, on its 146km journey from the River Liffey in Dublin to the Shannon, passes 46 working locks, 10 of them double-chambered.

Shannon Erne Waterway

​Running between Leitrim Village and just north of Belturbet, the Shannon-Erne Waterway links the two great waterways on the island, the Erne System and the Shannon Navigation.

Shannon Navigation

​The Shannon is a treasure waiting to be discovered. The longest river in Ireland, the River Shannon and its lakes are a bustling, colourful navigation.​

More fun activities to try...

Back to top