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Southern Trail News... Great Southern Trail Greenway Christmas Walk. 27/12/18 Close to 100 people of all ages enjoyed the annual 27 December Great Southern Trail Greenway Christmas Walk. This year the 9km walk/cycle route along the old railway was from Tullig Wood, Templeglantine to Abbeyfeale. The participants were ferried to the starting point by Coach House Travel courtesy coach thanks to Phelim & Margaret Kinahan and the ever obliging driver, Pat Liston. The weather was spring-like and enabled everyone to admire and enjoy the surrounding countryside. At journey's end there were copious quantities of delicious mince pies to be enjoyed in the homely atmosphere of Leen's Hotel and the personal attention of Olive, Mary and the team. See photos €2.7m to Limerick Greenway Under the Rural Regeneration and Development scheme, €2.72m has been earmarked for major developments along the 40km greenway from Rathkeale to the Kerry border. Read more limerickleader.ie
The annual Christmas Walk along the Great Southern Trail Greenway will take place on Thursday 27th December 2018. Assembly is at the large carpark behind Leen's Hotel, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick between 12.30pm and 1.30pm . The hotel is on the N21 and the public bus services stop a few hundred metres from the hotel. The Bus Éireann services from Tralee via Listowel at 11.00 and from Limerick at 11.35 are recommended. Walkers will be transferred by Coach House Travel courtesy shuttle coach from Leen's Hotel car park to Tullig Wood/Devon Road from where they will have a choice of either a 5.75 miles [9km] or 4.5 miles [7km] stroll, mostly along the old railway, back to Leen's Hotel where they can enjoy seasonal mince pies, whipped cream and tea/coffee at their leisure.
All walkers must wear visibility vests as the
final kilometre is through the streets of Abbeyfeale and involves crossing
the busy N21 which must be crossed at the zebra crossing close to the hotel.
Cyclists, with visibility gear and lights, are also welcome and we suggest
that they also meet at the hotel at 12.30 and cycle outwards along the
Greenway for approximately one hour towards Barnagh or beyond and then
return in time to enjoy the refreshments. We recommend that cyclists also
wear a helmet for their own safety. Nollaig Shona do gach éinne agus beidh
fáilte romhat ar an 27ú. A Ramble On GST Attached article is a lovely account in the Irish language of a ramble along the Great Southern Greenway. The article is from the October Deireadh Fómhair edition of the magazine 'Feasta' www.feasta.ie and is reproduced with permission.
Kerry County Council Manager's Reports Attached are the Kerry County Council Manager's reports to the elected Councillors on the Fenit and Listowel Greenways. They contain a lot of information including maps and photographs. Also included are the 350 or so submissions on the project with over 300 of these being from the general public. The GST very much appreciates the input of our supporters through these submissions. Many of you included your wish to see the Fenit and Listowel Greenways extended along the remaining 27km of the old railway through Ardfert, Abbeydorney and Lixnaw. The positive response to these suggestions by the County Manager, Moira Murrell, is very heartening and we hope that the Council will seek funding in the near future as other Greenways are also planning extensions and Government funds are not bottomless! We hope you enjoy browsing through the reports. Part VIII Report Tralee Fenit Greenway and Part VIII Report North Kerry Greenway Issued Final Councillors Approve Plans For Greenway in North Kerry COUNCILLORS in the Listowel Municipal District have approved plans for the development of a 10.5km greenway from Listowel to the Limerick County Bounds. The North Kerry Greenway will be developed along a disused railway line which is in the ownership of Kerry County Council and will link up with the Great Southern Trail which extends from Abbeyfeale for 40km into County Limerick. Rear More traleetoday.ie Damien Enright: Reclaiming of railways for walking began in the 1980s With land for walking and cycling routes in Kerry now being bought by compulsory purchase order, it’s a shame that the efforts of the first developers of abandoned Irish railway routes aren’t recognised. Read More irishexaminer.com GREAT SOUTHERN TRAIL REPRESENTED AT EUROPEAN GREENWAYS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.. The European Greenways Association (EGWA) was constituted in 1998 with the aim of encouraging the development of Greenways in Europe and this summer it celebrated its 20th birthday in Namur, Belgium where it was founded. Namur nestles on the banks of Sambre and Meuse rivers: about two hours drive from Brussels. From humble beginnings EGWA is now Europe's leading light when it comes to the advancement of Greenways.
The Great Southern Trail Ltd. (GST) is a
double award winning member of EGWA having been recognised for its
endeavours over many years of dedication in converting the once abandoned
railway line into a user friendly local amenity for young and old to enjoy.
Denis McAuliffe, Vice Chair, represented the GST in Namur.
Pictured are some of the delegates who on the final day of the convention got to cycle the Greenway in Namur and Denis (kneeling in front row ) also went along for the cycle and was amazed to see how much Namur had bought into the Greenway as a tourist attraction. Denis especially enjoyed the group visit to a strawberry museum as traditionally Namur grows the finest of multiple varieties of strawberries and the museum is conveniently alongside the Greenway. The Great Southern Greenway could also similarly benefit the towns along the route in West Limerick if a proper sales and marketing strategy of the scenic route is ever put in place. Greenways National Strategy 2019-2021 & Great Southern Greenway.
Liam O'Mahony, Cathaoirleach, Great Southern Trail Ltd.(GST), met with Tourism, Transport & Sport Minister Shane Ross and Kieran Mulvey, Chairman, Sport Ireland at the launch of the National Greenway Strategy in the old railway station at Moate, Co. Westmeath on Friday 20 July 2018. An integral part of the Greenway Strategy is the emphasis on the importance of developing "National Greenways" of at least 100km in length and also the use of "Lower-Trafficked roads" to enhance the attractiveness of the entire recreational experience for locals and tourists alike. Mr. O'Mahony stressed to Minister Ross and to Minister of State, Brendan Griffin, that these objectives are ad idem with the GST's longstanding endeavours of completing the entire West Limerick-North Kerry railway route into a National Greenway and therefore he hoped that the Department would be supportive of relevant applications by the respective Local Authorities.
He expressed the hope that Kerry County
Council would immediately begin public consultation on the 27km Listowel-
Lixnaw-Abbeydorney- Ardfert-Tralee railway route that they now own: thereby
adding connectivity to their current Listowel and Fenit projects. Great Southern Trail day trip to West Cork. Continuing with our visits to Greenways and old railway walkways we will set out on Saturday 1st September at 8.30a.m. from the Market Yard, Newcastle West for West Cork. Breakfast in Cork City will be followed by a tour through Kinsale, Ballinspittle, Garrettstown Beach and Timoleague with ample stops along the way. From Timoleague, with its 13th century Franciscan Abbey, we will walk the 5km route of the old railway to Courtmacsherry. [For those who wish to get more exercise they may continue for another hour or so along a very nice grass path called the "Fuchsia Walk" which has lovely sea views]. It was from Courtmacsherry that the lifeboat set out in 1915 in an attempt to rescue survivors from the Lusitania. Dinner will be served at the Courtmacsherry Hotel which was once the home of an Earl.
We will return to Newcastle West via
Innishannon; home of Alice Taylor. The all-in cost is €50. Book with Pat
Condon, 06962344 (5-6pm only) Upper Maiden St., Newcastle West. Fáilte roimh
gach éinne. Family Cycle Fáilte to all ages this Sunday (17th June) at 5pm for a Greenway family cycle commencing at Abbeyfeale's Old Railway Station. Bring your own bike or contact southerntrailgreenway@gmail.com if you need to hire a bike. A great opportunity for our neighbours across the Kerry Border to experience the delights of Greenways which will hopefully become a reality for Fenit, Tralee, Kilmorna and Listowel in the near future.
World Bicycle Day - Sunday 3rd June - Great Southern Greenway Limerick Event
Kerry County Council is holding a public consultation day regarding the proposed North Kerry Greenway – Listowel to Limerick County Bounds (Sluicequarter).
Irish Times: Walk for the Weekend" features the 17km Newcastle West- Rooskagh Loop including the Great Southern Greenway and minor roads
Walk for the weekend: Another greenway to try
in Co Limerick
Visiting Greenway experts from England and
Wales, Chris Grimshaw, David Hall, David Judd and John Grimshaw enjoyed a
cupán tae at Barnagh Tunnel during their visit to the Great Southern Trail (GST)on
13 April 2018.(see photo) Greenways illustrated lecture in Abbeyfeale
On Friday 13 April 2018 there was a large
attendance at the Glórach Theatre, Abbeyfeale for the presentation by
Greenways expert John Grimshaw from Bristol.
Great Southern Trail Annual May Bank Holiday Day Trip Breakfast and evening dinner en route will be included in the €60 cost (but bike hire will be extra). Due back in Newcastle West at 11pm. Payment to Pat Condon, Upr. Maiden St., Newcastle West. 069 62344 (5-6pm). Cheques payable to Great Southern Trail Ltd. Beidh fáilte romhat! Presentation by John Grimshaw
On Friday 13th April 2018 at 8pm the Great
Southern Trail Ltd. will host a presentation in the Glórach Theatre,
Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick [alongside the Church on the N21]. He, and his colleagues will cycle from Rathkeale to the Kerry Border and they are delighted to hear of the positive developments which will hopefully see the Greenway extended into North Kerry in the not too distant future.
John will outline his experiences in
developing Greenways and the multiple benefits that accrue to communities as
a result. For both dedicated Greenway enthusiasts and those who wish to
inform themselves this will be a rewarding evening. Beidh fáilte roimh gach
éinne. [A] Coach trip to walk/cycle Mayo Greenway departing Newcastle West, Market Yard, 7am Bank Holiday Monday 7th May, due back 11pm. €60 includes transport, breakfast and evening dinner but not bike hire. Monies to Pat Condon, Upper Maiden St., Newcastle West : Tel. (5-6pm) 06962344 [B] Friday 25 May RTE1 T.V. " Nationwide" will feature the attractions of Newcastle West including the Great Southern Greenway Barnagh Tunnel project in west Limerick likely to be delayed
"Friends of the Great Southern Trail" Meeting: Leen's Hotel, Abbeyfeale; 8pm
Thursday 15 February 2018.
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Contact: Secretary, Great Southern Trail, Gortbui,
Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Email Us | ||||||||||
A
family cycle will be taking place on Sunday 3rd June. As well as celebrating
World Bicycle Day, Limerick City County Council are also launching the town
loops for each of the towns along the route. We hope that will assist the
ongoing development of the Greenway.
