On Saturday 27th August the Great Southern Trail (GST) Greenway organised a large group of over forty people to spend a most pleasant day in Waterford City and on the Greenway from Kilmeaden.

The visitors from West Limerick & North Kerry were making their second visit to the Déise. In May they had walked the Dungarvan to Durrow section and on Saturday they took the  narrow gauge train from Kilmeaden to Mount Congreve and walked from there to Waterford. The late  afternoon was spent exploring the city and enjoying the Summerval festival attractions.

Before returning home they had a wonderful meal at L’ Atmosphere Restaurant in Henrietta Street. In the morning an excellent breakfast had been provided at Brazil’s in Tipperary Town. Transport was provided by Coach House Travel, Newcastle West and the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway.
When the Déise Greenway is completed a third visit is planned to include a cycle from Dungarvan to Waterford.

Visitors from Waterford would be much appreciated in West Limerick where the 40km Greenway is also along  an old railway from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale. This year it has already hosted visiting groups from Spain, Germany and the McAuliffe Diaspora Gathering. The development of the GST, spearheaded by volunteers, was successful in County Limerick but was obstructed in County Kerry. The volunteers also managed the Limerick Greenway until November 2015 when Limerick City & County Council took charge.

A planned further 50km along the former railway from Abbeyfeale to Fenit in County Kerry has been awaiting development since 1988. The fact that this State owned route has been languishing for almost a generation is surely an issue long overdue to be addressed by local and national authorities and politicians.

Photo: GST Greenway visitors from West Limerick/North Kerry with the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge (N25) in the  visits Déise Greenwaybackground

Waterford City and County Council is currently developing the Waterford Greenway along a 45km section of the old disused railway line from Dungarvan to Waterford. It is anticipated that this amenity will officially open to the public in the second half of 2016. It is envisaged that the development and completion of the Greenway will have a hugely significant cultural, social and economic impact on the people of Waterford in the years to come. Read article

Mullingar and Athlone are to be linked with a Greenway in 10 days time when the route is opened officially.

See also: Irish Cycle, Galway-Dublin Greenway & Westmeath CC