Take a tranquil, traffic-free trip on Ireland’s newest greenway
Ireland’s newest greenway presents another great opportunity to enjoy the island’s gorgeous scenery in a safe and sustainable way.
Family Cycling on New Cork Greenway
The eighth greenway on the island of Ireland has opened in County Cork running off-road for 23km along the former railway line between Midleton and Youghal.
It offers visitors to this stretch of Ireland’s Ancient East the chance to combine fresh-air fun with stops at key historical and cultural sites.
Walkers can lace up their boots and stride onto the greenway through the trailheads at Midleton Station, Mogeely, Killeagh, and Youghal, while cyclists can pick up a traditional or electric bike from Cork Bike Hire in Youghal or Midleton.
From March 2025, those beginning their greenway experience on a Saturday morning may want to load up with freshly baked bread, local artisan cheeses and delicious specialty food at Youghal Community Market. And along the route, a pick-me-up beverage can be enjoyed at new coffee business Connect Coffee at the Killeagh trailhead.
Trees and hedgerows have been retained along the greenway and a significant programme of native planting has enhanced biodiversity. The former station areas have been transformed to create attractive places for visitors to enjoy.
Both Youghal and Midleton have plenty to interest visitors, who can book-end their greenway journey with some excellent sightseeing.
Medieval Youghal has several impressive historical buildings including the eighteenth-century clock tower which houses three floors of exhibits. Originally a walled town, Youghal also retains sections of its medieval walls. The best way to explore the town’s history is to follow the heritage map which takes you to key spots and explains their significance.
The Jameson Experience, Midleton, Co. Cork.
Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, Youghal is also the perfect place to embark on a relaxing river cruise. Blackwater Cruises take passengers upstream past the old bridge, the remains of Templemichael Castle, Ballinatray House Estate and Gardens, and Molana Abbey.
Midleton’s most famous attraction is the Jameson whiskey distillery. A guided tour of the distillery gives a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Jameson’s seven iconic brands and a chance to sample a few of the famous blends.
Beyond the greenway, east Cork has plenty more to offer. Just a ten-minute drive from Midleton is the Fota Wildlife Park, one of the top animal parks in Europe, which is home to several different animal species in danger of extinction.
A short drive from Midleton will also take you to Cobh, famous for its connection to the Titanic. The Titanic Experience is located in the historic White Star Line Building from where Titanic’s last passengers departed. A guided tour delves into the stories of the ill-fated passengers.
Titanic Experience, Cobh, Co. Cork.
The new Cork greenway expands the off-road walking and cycling network on the island of Ireland ensuring that wherever you are you can enjoy a traffic-free experience. The island’s other greenways are the Comber Greenway in County Down, the Waterford Greenway, the Great Western Greenway in County Mayo, the Old Rail Trail in County Westmeath, the Limerick Greenway, the Royal Canal Greenway from Dublin to Longford and the Suir Blueway in County Tipperary.