Grand Canal Way

Walking
County Dublin
3.7/5
16 reviews
Grade Easy
Length 117.1 km
Am 5 days
Format Linear
Dogs Allowed Under effective control
Waymarking Yellow arrow on black background
Start Point
Lucan Road Bridge
Finish Point
Shannon Harbour
Nearest Town to Start Lucan
Grid Ref. O 029 323 / N 024 188
Lat. and Long. 53.33094, -6.45527 / 53.21962, -7.96406

The Grand Canal was designed to connect Dublin, Ireland's capital city westwards through the midlands with the River Shannon, and although construction work began in 1757, the waterway was not completed as far as the Shannon until 1804. It closed to commercial traffic in 1951, but in recent decades the canal has been restored for amenity use, and is well-frequented by pleasure craft of all kinds. The Grand Canal Way follows pleasant grassy towpaths, gravel and sometimes tarmac canal-side roads from Lucan Bridge near Adamstown in County Dublin 124km to Shannon Harbour on Ireland's longest river. The route is an informal linear park punctuated by the locks that characterise canal technology, carefully restored surviving lock-keepers cottages, and the towns and villages whose existence is owed to the trade and commerce the canal brought in the 18th and 19th centuries. Much of the landscape through which the route passes has been untouched by modern agriculture and remains a linear oasis for the flora and fauna that was originally common throughout our countryside. The many towns and villages along the way provide walkers with accommodation possibilities along the route, and as public transport options are good, these places can act as starting and finishing points for those who want to sample only sections of the route.

Trail Management

Waterways Ireland,
Floor 2 Block C,
Ashtowngate,
Dublin 15
Tel 01-8680148
Email: info@waterwaysireland.org
Web: www.waterwaysireland.org

Facilities

Car parking
At Start - limited space - do not to get locked in behind barrier at end of road beside Engineering firm
At End - space at Griffith Bridge and also at 36th Lock

31 kms or 26% of the Way follows local roads. There may be issues with waymarking at some points along the trail.
***Dogs under effective control allowed. Please clean up after your dog***

Map Guides

Map Guides

Guide to the Grand Canal of Ireland - Waterways Ireland & Inland Waterways Association of Ireland

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheets 47, 48, 49, 50 and 53* (*ca 3.3km to River Shannon)
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

At Start: Bus to Shopping Centre in Lucan (about 2km off Way) and also to Milltown (about 1.5 km off Way) - Check timetables at Dublin Bus/.
At End: Limited bus service to Dublin (Monday to Friday only). Check timetables at Bus Eireann.

16 trail reviews
3.7/5
Write your own review of this trail
4/5
08/18/2014

Adrian from Dublin

My son Karl and I cycled the trail from Kylemore Road to Robertsown over about 3.5 hours on Friday August 15th. Very enjoyable, lots of wildlife. Some of the surfaces are a bit difficult for cycling but we have hybrid bikes so we managed OK. But you'd never do it on a road bike. Nice to see the Leinster acqueduct for the first time.
4/5
07/01/2014

Geraldine from Offaly

Today another beautiful day, a friend and I travelled from Pollagh to Tullamore and back. A total of 22 miles. Very peaceful and quiet and lots of people saving turf on the way. Lots of quiet roads and very pleasant under foot. Highly recommend this trail to walkers. It did take us over 5 hours. The church in Pollagh such a rare find.
3/5
06/26/2014

Geraldine from Offaly

Last Sunday I walked from Ferbane to Pollagh and all told it was a 7 mile trip and 7 back!! Fab day and such a peaceful walk. The terrain was good because the weather was excellent for 10 days but the section with bog (about 2-3 miles) could be very wet if conditions were not suitable. Boots necessary. Loved it though.
5/5
06/16/2014

Geraldine from Offaly

Today I walked from Shannon Harbour to the bridge in Ferbane and what a sheer pleasure. A total delight for any avid walker. I picnicked in Ferbane and followed my footsteps back to Shannon Harbour. All told I was 4 hours but that included a lovely picnic and I talked to a local for 15 minutes.I wore runners but on wet days it would be advisable to wear hiking boots. Super stuff.
3/5
04/21/2014

Dominic from Dublin

I cycled the trail from Sallins to Hamilton's Bridge(20km) on a beautiful Easter Monday. This is a smashing trail with gorgeous countryside, beautiful arching stone bridges and swans, herons and birdlife in abundance. The terrain overall is very good for cycling though the track between Bond Bridge and Shee Bridge (Map 4) is a little uneven on compacted grass. Note that the signage for the Grand Canal Way in Robertstown is very poor and confusing so ensure that you bring a copy of Map 4. Little sign of coffee- shops along the way so stock up with provisions.
3/5
04/14/2012

Jacinta from Dublin

I cant believe more people are not using this trail - its really beautiful. Around Clondalkin stretch of canal it is a bit grim but dont get put off by this section .Public transport good as far as Tullamore, pity none after this point. We have to get someone to drive down to Shannon Harbour where the walking route ends and walk back to Tullamore to get public transport back to Dublin .But it is beautiful along the way .

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