There has been a surge in visitors to the Limerick Greenway so far this year, with an extension now also set to link it to the greenway in Kerry to create a so-called 'super greenway'.
The Limerick Greenway has already been boosted with a €10 million investment and that has clearly paid off as over 800,000 people used since it was revamped and re-opened and a huge 52 per cent increase in user numbers also recorded.
The increasing popularity of the greenway shows no signs of abating. Over 500,000 visitors used the greenway between July, 2021, when the upgraded facility opened and May of this year. And that has now grown to 834,837 to this month.
The 39km greenway is a walking and cycling route on the old railway line that connects Rathkeale, Newcastlewest and Abbeyfeale in west Limerick.
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Limerick City and County, Cllr Francis Foley said the people of west Limerick were "hugely proud" of the greenway and the success it was now enjoying in getting people mobile and bringing visitors to the region.
“Limerick Greenway is a great draw for local, national, and overseas visitors and I am delighted to see this increase in visits by walkers, runners, cyclists, and those of all abilities,” he said.
“Limerick Greenway is now celebrating an acceleration of visitor numbers during the summer months and expects to attract a steady flow of visitors to the amenity for the autumn and winter months, with a special focus on the upcoming mid-term break.”
An extension of the greenway, which will be 10.5km long and will link Abbeyfeale and Listowel, is set to open before the end of this year and will join the Limerick Greenway and North Kerry Greenway.
Limerick City and County Council is set to start a new Limerick greenway car park at Station Rd, Newcastle West, early next year.
The old Railway Goods Shed is Rathkeale is also set to be restored, with work commencing in coming months, and it will be part of a 'greenway hub' with services for greenway users.
