Royal Canal Greenway

The greenway begins at Spencer Dock in Dublin’s Financial District, a short distance from Connolly Station. Built in 1873 to accommodate freight shipping, the dock retains features that reflect its industrial docklands heritage. Passing the Luke Kelly statue, the route quickly becomes off‑road, following the Royal Canal as it weaves west through the city. The route passes close to Croke Park—care is required when crossing junctions in this busy urban environment. A statue of Brendan Behan marks the transition into Drumcondra. This section can attract high numbers of users, and courtesy and caution are advised. 

Continuing through Glasnevin and Cabra, the greenway passes under Broom’s Bridge, closely associated with mathematician William Rowan Hamilton, who formulated quaternion multiplication here during a canal walk and memorably carved the formula into the bridge. As the canal continues west, the surroundings become increasingly suburban. This section features a notable concentration of locks and murals depicting historic canal transport using barges and draught horses. The canal corridor supports a range of urban birdlife, including mallards, moorhens, mute swans and herons. 

Road noise increases temporarily as the route passes beneath the M50, where the canal is carried through a distinctive aqueduct structure. Beyond the motorway, the character shifts again at the quieter 12th Lock, shortly before reaching Castleknock. 

Road noise increases temporarily as the route passes beneath the M50, where the canal is carried through a distinctive aqueduct structure. Beyond the motorway, the character shifts again at the quieter 12th Lock, shortly before reaching Castleknock. 

From Castleknock, the route runs alongside the railway line and enters the Deep Sinking, one of the most dramatic sections of the Royal Canal. Here the towpath sits at a considerable height above the canal, exceeding nine metres in places. Constructed in the late eighteenth century, this section required extensive excavation through limestone using explosives to ensure a continuous route for the watercourse. 

Reclaimed by nature, care should be taken due to uneven surfaces, steep embankments and overhanging vegetation. On reaching Clonsilla, the route briefly enters a more urban setting with a smoother surface before transitioning back to a rural character. Hedgerows become more prominent, and the towpath surface becomes grassy and occasionally rutted. Several narrowboats are moored at Confey Slipway, marking the crossing into County Kildare. Confey railway station signals the approach into Leixlip. 

From Leixlip westwards, the greenway surface is generally tarmac or compacted gravel. Departing from Cope Bridge, the route crosses the Ryewater Aqueduct, which carries the canal over the Rye River. A short detour allows access to Leixlip Spa, an eighteenth‑century stone‑lined bathing basin associated with a former mineral spring. 

Rejoining the towpath, the route passes remains of an old canal works building painted in distinctive colours before continuing under Louisa Bridge and past the Intel campus at Collinstown. Beyond Deey Bridge and the 13th Lock, the canal widens into a harbour at the gates of Carton House, once the seat of the Dukes of Leinster and now a hotel. The second Duke was an investor in the development of the Royal Canal and is said to have insisted that it pass near his estate. 

At Maynooth, the canal forms another harbour beside a lively town offering a castle, university campus and a wide range of amenities. Leaving Maynooth, the route continues through open countryside toward Kilcock, passing beneath a series of stone bridges where the towpath can be narrow. The section to Enfield crosses repeatedly between Kildare and Meath and includes the 17th Lock, marking the beginning of the Long Level,a 32‑kilometre stretch of canal with minimal change in elevation. Approaching Enfield, a dense tree canopy encloses the route as it skirts the northern edge of the town. Within the town environs, the route switches to the southern bank of the canal, requiring caution in crossing a busy road.  

Soon after Enfield, the canal crosses the River Blackwater via the Blackwater Aqueduct. This section is notably secluded, traversing a predominantly rural landscape. Near Longwood, the distinctive Ribbontail Footbridge provides canal access, with a harbour area and amenities nearby, while the village itself lies approximately two kilometres away. Shortly beyond is the three‑arch Boyne Aqueduct, followed by opportunities for refreshments near the Hill of Down. A gentle incline leads to Thomastown, where a harbour and the 18th Lock provide a natural stopping point. 

Over the next three kilometres, the canal climbs gradually through a dense sequence of locks as it reaches its summit approaching Mullingar. Throughout the length of the Royal Canal, bronze shoe markers denote the route’s role as part of the National Famine Way, commemorating the 1847 forced migration of nearly 1,500 people from Strokestown in County Roscommon.  

Approaching Mullingar, the route briefly runs parallel to a dual carriageway, increasing ambient noise before re‑entering a calmer setting. The greenway passes under several bridges within the town and beside a landscaped harbour area near Harbour Street. Mullingar, the county town of Westmeath, connects the Royal Canal Greenway with the Old Rail Trail. 

Leaving Mullingar Harbour, the route passes under Mullingar Railway Bridge, where the greenway diverges from the railway line. After a series of stone bridges, the route runs parallel to the Old Rail Trail with 3 access points before the two greenways separate at Ballinea. Coolnahay Harbour, 11 kilometres west of Mullingar, is an idyllic spot with a restored lock keeper’s cottage and marks the end of the Royal Canal’s summit level, followed by a gentle descent. The journey continues through scenic countryside, passing villages such as Ballynacarrigy, numerous locks, and examples of canal-built heritage. Bogland becomes a defining feature on the landscape. Entering County Longford, the route passes Abbeyshrule Aerodrome and the five-arch Whitworth Aqueduct over the River Inny. In Abbeyshrule, you cross to the south side of the canal, where there are plentiful dining options as well as the ruins of a Cistercian abbey to explore. A further 11 kilometres lead to Ballymahon, with a 1.5-kilometre detour onto a road after Ballybrannigan Harbour. 

Rejoining the Royal Canal Greenway, the route bends to the north. There is an option to detour to visit the Corlea Bog with a walkway linking the canal to the bog. This historical site (with an interpretative centre) features an Iron Age trackway that was perfectly preserved in the bog for two millennia. Continuing on the canal towpath, you will pass through the attractive Mosstown Harbour (the village of Keenagh is located a short distance away). The route travels past the gate house of Mosstown Demense —the main house is demolished but an octagonal pigeon house remains well as a formal avenue lined with lime trees that functioned as the main entrance approach to the house. The Lime Tree Walk has historically been a favoured place in the community for strolling and courtship given its beautiful setting.  

As you approach the destination of Cloondara, the route again passes under stones bridges, locks and canal buildings. There is an option at Cloonsheerin to take the Longford branch of the canal which will bring you to Longford town (where there is a train station for onward transport). If you remain on the main line, there is approximately seven kilometres left to Cloondara’s pleasant Richmond Harbour which has plentiful amenities. The 46th Lock is located to the northwest of the harbour and marks the last lock on the Royal Canal where it meets the Camlin River which shortly after flows into the River Shannon. Refreshment options are available in Cloondara to celebrate having completed the Royal Canal Greenway—Ireland’s longest greenway route.