Great Western Greenway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Western Greenway |
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Corraun Peninsula viewed from the trail
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| Length | 42 km (26 mi) |
| Location | County Mayo, Ireland |
| Trailheads | Westport, Achill |
| Use | Cycling and Walking |
| Season | Any |
| Surface | Tarmac / gravel |
| Website | http://www.greenway.ie/ |
The Great Western Greenway (Irish: Bealach Mór an Iarthair) is a special path for cycling and walking in County Mayo, Ireland. It is about 42 kilometres (26 miles) long. This path stretches from Westport to Achill. Along the way, it goes through the towns of Newport and Mulranny. The path follows the coast of Clew Bay, offering amazing views.
This greenway is a car-free trail, perfect for people who love to cycle or walk. It was built along the route of an old railway line. This railway line was first built in the 1890s but stopped being used in 1937. Today, around 300 people enjoy the trail every single day! Building the greenway cost about €5.7 million.
The first part of the greenway, from Newport to Mulranny, opened in April 2010. It was even named the best Irish destination in the 2011 European Destinations of Excellence awards. The entire path was officially opened on July 29, 2011. The opening ceremony was led by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring. A Taoiseach is the head of the government in Ireland, similar to a Prime Minister. A Minister of State is a government official in charge of a specific area, like tourism.
What is the Great Western Greenway?
The Great Western Greenway is a special type of path called a greenway. It is also a rail trail, which means it follows the route of an old railway line. This makes it a flat and easy path to use. It is designed for people to enjoy the outdoors safely, away from car traffic.
How Many People Use the Greenway?
A study in 2013 showed that the Great Western Greenway is very popular. On average, about 471 cycle trips happened on the path each day. This means that around 172,000 people used the greenway in total during that year!
The greenway also brings a lot of money to the local area. Tourists from other countries spent about €405,000 each year because of the greenway. Irish tourists also spent about €737,000 annually. This shows how important the greenway is for the local economy.
Staying Safe on the Trail
Most of the Great Western Greenway is separate from roads where cars drive. This makes it very safe for cyclists and walkers. In September 2013, a part of the greenway near Kilbride was made even safer. This section used to share space with cars, but now it is completely separate.
However, there is still a small part of the greenway that goes through Newport town. This section is about 1-mile (2-kilometre) long. On this part, people using the greenway share the road with other traffic. It is important to be extra careful and aware of cars when you are on this section.
