The Limerick Greenway Hub in Rathkeale official opening is today 19 September, featuring a restored 19th-century railway goods shed.
This €1.9 million project is spearheaded by Limerick City and County Council to enhance the visitor experience along the Greenway. The hub offers facilities for cyclists, walkers, and runners along a 40-kilometre traffic-free trail.
Over one million visits to the Greenway have been recorded, with a 52 per cent increase in the latter half of 2022. The hub aims to support local economic growth and enhance outdoor recreation while preserving regional heritage.
A written statement from Limerick County Council shared, “The hub complements four other visitor nodes, creating a cohesive network for all fitness levels. Parking at the hub is expected to fill quickly as we approach the opening. Ireland’s greenways are gaining international recognition as eco-friendly alternatives to car travel.”
Limerick Greenway
The €1.9m project, spearheaded by Limerick City and County Council, aims to elevate the visitor experience along the 40-kilometre Limerick Greenway, which traces the disused Limerick to Kerry railway line through picturesque countryside linking Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh, Templeglantine, and Abbeyfeale.
With construction completed earlier this year, the hub’s public realm and outdoor facilities have been accessible since August, drawing early praise for their integration of heritage and modern amenities,.
The centrepiece of the development is the meticulously refurbished railway goods shed, originally part of the historic line opened in stages between 1867 and 1887, which served the region until its closure in the 1970s.
Now repurposed as a multi-functional space, the shed will house interpretive exhibits on the area’s rail heritage, alongside facilities for cyclists, walkers, and runners embarking on the Greenway’s traffic-free path. Surrounding the building, a newly paved limestone public realm area offers picnic benches for rest stops, a water station for refills, and a bike repair stand equipped for quick fixes, all designed to cater to families and mobility-impaired users alike.
The adjacent 29-space car park includes dedicated mobility bays and electric vehicle charging points, while a bus stop facilitates public transport links, ensuring the hub serves both locals and tourists exploring Rathkeale’s rich Palatine history, including the nearby Irish Palatine Museum in the former station house.
The Greenway has already recorded over one million visits since its inception. The trail’s appeal lies in its passage through traditional agricultural landscapes, past ancient abbeys and castles, and over landmarks like the 115-metre Barnagh Tunnel and the cast-iron Ferguson’s Viaduct, both preserved from the 19th-century rail era.
Linking with the Great Southern Trail and extending possibilities into Kerry’s greenways towards Listowel and Tralee, the route promotes sustainable tourism and local economic growth, with towns along the way offering accommodation, cafes, and cultural stops.
Council officials note that the Rathkeale hub complements four other visitor nodes at Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh, and Abbeyfeale, creating a cohesive network that encourages multi-day adventures or shorter outings suitable for all fitness levels.
