The Monaghan Town Greenway opened in 2013 and is an urban walking and cycleing route that passes close to many of Monaghan Town’s residential and commercial areas. The charming greenway follows the route of the former Ulster Canal towpath and is generally flat with some gentle slopes, passing heritage structures along the waterway and quaint reminders of times past, including bridges, lock houses and locks. The route is currently 4.2 kilometres long with a smooth, bound surface and features some road crossings and sections adjcent to traffic. There are multiple access points along route allowing easy access to and from the route.
Plans are underway to extend the route to the border with County Armagh with construction due to start in 2026 with plans to open an extension in 2027 which will extend the route to approximately 12 kilometres.
Tullyherim– Killyconigan
4.2 km
The route starts adjacent to the N2 on the approach to the Coolshannagh Roundabout, this is a busy road so care should be taken if crossing at this junction. The ‘Moving On’ sculpture is located at the start of the route developed by the artists Mark Ryan and Maree Hensey, the piece represents the role of the canal in the region’s history, and in its future. Symbols on the sculpture include leaves to represent the rich biodiversity along the canal, waved lines to represent its watery heritage, and 26 circles to represent the 26 locks along the canal.
The path follows the line of the former disused canal. Travelling south, users pass under a striking arched cut‑stone bridge (Sheriff’s Bridge) and through an underpass decorated with a biodiversity‑themed mural created by local schoolchildren. Another mural features lines from Monaghan born poet Patrick Kavanagh’s ‘Canal Bank Walk’. Further on, the historic Rooskey lock house has been transformed into a bat hotel – the species in residence is the soprano pipistrelle. The garden of the lock house has been restored by the local Tidy Towns committee featuring native Irish plants.
You will emerge from the Greenway at Old Cross Square (this area was formerly known as the Shambles). You need to travel a short distance on the road – there is a pavement but no protected cycle lane. After travelling approximately 250 meters along Canal Street, a segregated route is once again available. Users will find frequent information boards highlighting local flora and fauna, with hedgerows and vegetation dominating the landscape. You will pass by Lock 19 – Tully West Lock before crossing to the other side of the canal. You will need to cross a road at Oriel Way – due care should be taken. The final section of the route passes along the edge of Tom Young’s Wood – one of one of the oldest pockets of native woodland in Co. Monaghan, and contains a fantastic diversity of trees and flowering plants.
The greenway ends at the junction with the R189 near the NCT centre. Those wishing to continue can turn left onto the R189 and follow the footpath for approximately one kilometre to reach Rossmore Forest Park, please note that this section lacks dedicated cycling facilities.
The Greenway is a vitally important linear habitat acting as a spine through the town and including some important habitats. Due to its link via the Blackwater river system to the Special Conservation Area of Sliabh Beagh, the canal corridor offers an important route for the movement of wildlife around the north of the county.
Biodiversity themed murals have been added to walls and an underpass as well as educational wildlife signage, bee posts, bat boxes and nest boxes and regular pollinator friendly landscaping at entrances/exits. The Greenway is used for regular litter-picking events with volunteers, schools and local business groups
Outdoor classrooms at either end of the Greenway enable local schools to take students out into the field to explore the subject in a thorough and engaging manner.
An old lock-keepers cottage has been preserved as a bat hotel. The Rotary Garden at the northern end is used to demonstrate “low mow” while at the southern end a previously unused boggy field now features as a bog garden. Tom Young’s Wood is one of the oldest pockets of native woodland in Co. Monaghan and contains a fantastic diversity of trees and flowering plants. The Greenway passes along the edge of the wood; however, other paths into the wood are there to explore, many of the non- greenway paths are steep and not suited to buggies, but you can still enjoy the lower part of the wood from the Greenway, which features a beautiful mixture of wetland and woodland plants. Look out for sedges, rushes and reeds near the water. In the spring, bluebells and violets are abundant. A heron makes its home in the canal at this point.
The Ulster Canal was built between 1825 and 1842 and was 74 kilometers long with 26 locks and the route lying almost exactly half in half on both sides of the border. It ran from Charlemont on the River Blackwater to Wattle Bridge on the River Finn, south-east of Upper Lough Erne.Due to a number of issues, the Canal was unprofitable and changed ownership on a number of occassions – the last boat travelled the canal in 1929. The Canal was abandoned with Monaghan County Council acquiring some sections of the canal in the early 1970s.
The built heritage of the Ulster Canal features many iconic and beautiful structures, buildings and locks, the Canal is unique in that the width of the locks and bridges were constructed narrower than other canals. The idea of a Greenway along the Ulster Canal was first mooted in the early 2000s with Monaghan County Council successfully applying for funding to deliver a route in Monaghan Town in 2012, this section was completed in 2013.
The Canal once served to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the region; a region which was fractured geographically by the introduction of the border, and culturally by the Troubles. Now, with the advent of more peaceful times, the Canal is enjoying a rebirth, and again is facilitating the movement of people, this time along its banks which are being developed as a Greenway.
Code of Conduct
To keep our greenways welcoming and safe for all users—walkers, cyclists, families, and wildlife alike—please review our Code of Conduct before you go.
What car parking and EV charging facilities are along the Greenway?
The Greenway start/end points are 54.258998, -6.955841 and 54.241100, -6.995819 where there is shared carparking facilities. There are several parking areas in Monaghan located close to the Greenway. All car parks are open 24 hours a day, except for the one at 54.260029, -6.956124. Greenway signage is installed at Coolshannagh Roundabout on the N2. Parking is available at the following locations: 54.260029, -6.956124; 54.247051, -6.963872; 54.244215, -6.970715; and 54.239985, -6.996523.
EV charging facilities and accessible parking spaces are also available in the town.
There is accessible parking spaces at 54.260029, -6.956124 and 54.247051, -6.96387
What is the surface type on the Greenway?
The entire route is smooth with no gravel used along the route.
Are there any Water Facilities on the Greenway?
No water fountains are present along the route
Are there any bike parking, repair and hire facilities along the Greenway?
There are no bike parking or repair facilities along the route.
The nearest bike hire operator is Monaghan Plant Hire, approx 1.1km from the Greenway. Further information for this service can be found online.
Are there any seating facilities along the Greenway?
There is a picnic table at Ulster Canal Park in Monaghan Town.
Are there any toilet facilities along the Greenway?
There is a public toilet located in Monaghan town beside the courthouse.
Are there any playgrounds along the Greenway?
There is a play area (Oriel Park) located adjacent to the Greenway at the western side of the town.
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