The Limerick Greenway is 40 kilometres long, traffic-free, and designed for walking and cycling. It connects the countryside of West Limerick with Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Templeglantine and Abbeyfeale. This makes the route a thread running through discoveries in the region: it links several places and landscapes with a practical way to get around.
Greenway, tunnels and railway heritage
The Greenway can be accessed from several points. As access arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the current options before your visit. The route also features notable structures: Barnagh Tunnel is 115 metres long, while Ferguson’s Viaduct, a cast-iron viaduct, offers a different glimpse of the railway heritage. In Rathkeale, the Irish Palatine Centre exhibition is located in the Station House, at the starting point of the Limerick Greenway. The route and exhibition offer two different ways to explore: travelling through the landscape and learning about the region’s history.
Another way to experience West Limerick is the Shannon Estuary Way, a driving route through varied landscapes. It has a different focus from the Greenway: one is a route for walking and cycling, the other a drive through the countryside. Both offer a tangible glimpse of West Limerick, without requiring you to plan a fixed itinerary.
Museums, art and Irish coffee
The Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum explores Foynes’ role in establishing commercial transatlantic passenger flights. The history of Irish coffee is also part of the story: a 3D hologram presentation recreates the evening in 1943 when the drink was first served in Foynes. The museum also offers the chance to try Irish coffee in its original location.
The collection at the Hunt Museum ranges from Neolithic treasures to 20th-century masterpieces, including works by Renoir, Picasso and Yeats. Its breadth brings together early artefacts and art from a much later period, offering a different way to explore Limerick’s culture than its railway and aviation history. The Limerick Milk Market focuses on local produce, artisan foods and crafts. It also features live music, family-friendly activities and opportunities to meet the producers. Stalls and programmes may change, so check the current listings if you have specific offerings in mind.
Medieval sites and guided visits
Access to Desmond Castle in Adare is available only as part of a guided tour, which begins at the Adare Heritage Centre. As tour arrangements may change, check the latest visitor information in advance. In Newcastle West, Desmond Banqueting Hall is one of the most impressive surviving medieval halls in West Limerick.
Askeaton’s Franciscan friary dates to 1389 and is one of Ireland’s best-preserved complete ruins. It is also visible from the N69 Shannon Estuary Way. Those interested in heritage will find here a different form of medieval architecture from the Banqueting Hall: a complete friary ruin rather than a surviving hall. Comparing the two helps distinguish these different historic structures without reducing their history to a single visitor experience.
Landscapes, archaeology and different ways to explore
Curraghchase Forest Park covers more than 300 hectares of rolling parkland, mixed woodland and lakes. For a different kind of outing, the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails in the south of County Limerick offer 98 kilometres of trails. Together with the 40-kilometre, traffic-free Greenway, they highlight the difference between a route for walking and cycling and designated mountain-biking trails across a longer network. Their respective lengths and uses can help you choose what best suits your interests.
Lough Gur is of international significance for its rich archaeology and environment. At Lough Gur Lakeshore Park, you can explore the exhibition on a guided or self-guided basis; individually tailored guided tours are available to the archaeological monuments. As tour arrangements may change, it is worth checking them before your visit. Limerick brings together very different discoveries: a long, traffic-free route, museums and market life, medieval buildings and archaeological monuments. Which ones you include depends on whether you are more interested in landscapes, history, art or local produce.
Discover more destinations: Castleconnell, Limerick, Adare, Abbeyfeale, Cill MocheailĂłg, Ballyorgan, Caherconlish, Croagh, Tuogh, An Ghleann, Bruff, Knightstreet, Newcastle West, Kilfinane, Rathkeale, Templeglantine, Ardpatrick, Clarina, Galbally, Pallasgreen, Askeaton, Reens, Ballyneety, Croom, Knocklong.
For the broader travel overview: Munster.
