Limerick's Great Southern Trail





Lovely footage of the Great Southern Greenway from 7 years ago.

Since then it has become even better.



The Great Southern Greenway Limerick is a 39km walking and cycling off-road route running along the old railway line connecting the towns of Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale.



Currently, there are five sections to the Great Southern Trail:

Rathkeale to Ardagh (9km)



This is a level section which begins at the Irish Palatine Museum and crosses the River Deel. Five beautiful cut-stone overhead bridges are passed along the way. Just before the third one, you will see the ancient churchyard at Clounagh and the ruins of the 15th century Lisnacille Castle in the distance.



On the approach to the fourth bridge, a local road to the right of the trail leads to Cahermoyle House (now a private nursing home) which has associations with William Smith O’Brien, leader of the 1848 Young Ireland Rebellion.



The fifth bridge is at Ardagh Station (now a private house) from where the village, St. Moula’s Well and the old fort where the Ardagh Chalice was found in 1868 can be visited.



Ardagh to Newcastle West (4km)



This section is level at each end with a with a slight dip in the middle. It passes through farmland surrounded by hills. As Newcastle West is approaches the River Daar is bridged before proceeding on to Newcastle West railway station.



Only the restored station house (now a private home) and the mature oak trees which lined the approach avenue from Bishop Street survive.



Newcastle West to Barnagh (10km)



Gently uphill all the way, this section represented one of the most arduous challenges in the age of the steam train. The trail climbs into the Rooskagh Hills leading to boglands and providing wonderful views of the Limerick Plains and the Golden Vale.

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