Waterford Greenway

Starting at Grattan Quay, the route leaves the bustle of Ireland’s oldest city and quickly opens into quieter stretches along the River Suir running adjacent to the N25 for a short period. Highlights include views of the Red Iron Bridge, Mount Congreve Gardens and the option to hop on the heritage train at Kilmeaden. You will pass by Woodstown, one of the most important Viking settlements found outside Scandinavia which borders the Greenway. Though there is now nothing to be seen of this important monument above the surface of the ground, an information panel imparts information about the site. This first leg is flat and family-friendly, with parking and services available.  

Leaving the old railway station at Kilmeaden, this is a rural section with views of the Comeragh Mountains. You can take a short diversion to explore the garden and museum in Fairbrook House Gardens and encounter the distinctive chimney of Fairbrook mill. Arriving into Kilmacthomas, you will pass the old workhouse which is not a Greenway visitor hub – this building was used to house the destitute after the Great Famine in the 1840s. You have the option to divert into Kilmacthomas village. Kilmacthomas, at the midpoint of the Greenway, offers cafés, a playground, and the impressive 19th-century viaduct with a strong milling history and home to Flahavan’s Porridge. Rejoining the route, you will cross the impressive, curved viaduct. 

Heading west, the Greenway passes under the N25 national road at McGrath’s Cross. As you continue on your journey west, you’ll pass close to the Cloughlowrish Stone, an enormous Ice Age ‘glacial erratic’ which was carried and deposited here by a slow-moving glacier at the end of the Ice Age around 10,000 years ago.  

You’ll cross the impressive Durrow Viaduct, built by Great Southern and Western Railway in 1878, which crosses the River Tay. As you approach Durrow, you’ll pass the old railway station and signal box which now sits derelict and covered in ivy and a red-roofed shed, which served as the village’s heaving dancehall in the 1940s and 50s. As well as a dedicated trailhead at Durrow, there is also a playground located adjacent to the route. 

Upon leaving Durrow, you will shortly reach the atmospheric, brick-lined, 400m-long Ballyvoyle Tunnel. As you emerge from the tunnel you are greeted with a stunning array of ferns, mosses and over-hanging trees that gives an other-worldly quality to this beautiful stretch. Care should be taken when entering and exiting the Ballyvoyle Tunnel as it can be popular at times.  

Not long after the tunnel, you will cross the final viaduct which spans the beautiful River Dalligan valley. Built in 1878, the viaduct was blown up in 1922 during the Civil War, rebuilt in 1924 and now offers serene views out over the valley. Soon, you will begin to smell the fresh sea-air of Waterford’s famed Copper Coast, a UNESCO Global Geopark and glimpse your first views of the picturesque strand at Clonea. The trail concludes in Walton Park in Dungarvan town, where visitors can enjoy its castle, museum, restaurants and waterfront. 

Towards Youghal 

You can continue your journey from Dungarvan towards Cork by utilising the EuroVelo 1 network which utilises quiet, local roads – signage is present for navigational purposes. This is an on-road route with minimal footpaths and cycle lanes available. Upon reaching Youghal, you can opt to join the Midleton to Youghal Greenway which provides connectivity to Midleton.

Towards New Ross 

Once completed, users will have the option to continue from Waterford City via the South East Greenway (currently under construction). This 24.5 kilometre route will connect Waterford City and New Ross – it is envisaged that this Greenway will be fully opened by 2028.