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How far can you walk along the Royal Canal?

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  • 22-02-2010 1:11am
    #1
    freeatlast
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22 ✭


    I like to walk but get a little bored with the same old routes so I'm checking out the Royal Canal (since I live in Glasnevin) and I wondered how far out (away from Dublin) you can actually walk along it? I tried to look using Bing Maps, and from what I can see it becomes overgrown at Castleknock (or maybe I was looking at the wrong thing!).

    Is there a society or something that would have all this information?


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    #2
    Nevyn
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43,045 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canal_of_Ireland
    http://www.iwai.ie/nav/royalcanal.html

    http://iwn.iwai.ie/v32i1/royal_walk.pdf
    A guide written in 2005.

    Currently a large section of it in and around the aubrun ave and the M50 junction at castleknock is impassible due to the road works but other then that it should be a clear enough walk. As for the maps you are refering to, how old are they and what season was it as certain plants like ferns can grow very fast but this time of year they are withered and not an issue.


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    #3
    freeatlast
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22 ✭freeatlast


    Thanks a million for this, Thaedydal. This is all the information I need. I feel a new challenge in the air.


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    #4
    Velvet shank
    Registered Users Posts: 133 ✭✭Velvet shank


    I would imagine you'd sink immediately if you attempted walking on the canal. The adjacent pathway would be a better bet :D


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    #5
    monument
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 14,080 Mod ✭✭✭✭monument


    Thaedydal wrote: »
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canal_of_Ireland
    http://www.iwai.ie/nav/royalcanal.html

    http://iwn.iwai.ie/v32i1/royal_walk.pdf
    A guide written in 2005.

    Currently a large section of it in and around the aubrun ave and the M50 junction at castleknock is impassible due to the road works but other then that it should be a clear enough walk. As for the maps you are refering to, how old are they and what season was it as certain plants like ferns can grow very fast but this time of year they are withered and not an issue.

    Was there last week and the section around the M50 was passable.


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    #6
    freeatlast
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22 ✭freeatlast


    Thanks, Monument.


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    #7
    bbbbb
    Registered Users Posts: 732 ✭✭✭bbbbb


    Walked from North Strand to Leixlip Confey a few years back. Don't know what state it's in now.


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    #8
    crushproof
    Registered Users Posts: 2,810 ✭✭✭crushproof


    Walked from Spencer dock to Blanchardstown last year, was all passable then, despite the M50 works.

    Great walk by the way, very peaceful, wouldn't think you're just a couple of miles from O'Connell Street


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    #9
    richardjjd
    Registered Users Posts: 524 ✭✭✭richardjjd


    It's certainly walkable between Blanchardstown M50 and Kilcock - the only thing is that you walk on the south west side of the canal as far as Clonsilla and then you have to cross over to the north east side of the canal. In most cases, when you meet a bridge you have to pass over (crossing the road) rather than the walkway allowing you to stay at canal-side.


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    #10
    neil_hosey
    Registered Users Posts: 1,712 ✭✭✭neil_hosey


    kilcock to mullingar is walkable.. and with several pubs between enfield and kinnegad, it would be an enjoyable walk :D


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    #11
    T-Square
    Registered Users Posts: 759 ✭✭✭T-Square


    crushproof wrote: »
    Walked from Spencer dock to Blanchardstown last year, was all passable then, despite the M50 works.

    Great walk by the way, very peaceful, wouldn't think you're just a couple of miles from O'Connell Street

    Strikes me as a unwise route to take home, muggings etc.


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    #12
    Ste.phen
    Registered Users Posts: 2,808 ✭✭✭Ste.phen


    The Spencer Dock -> Ashtown stretch isn't great (public drinking, especially between Gross Guns (Phibsborough) Bridge and Broombridge) but I've never had any hassle myself. Wouldn't recommend it on a weekend evening anyway


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    #13
    lightening
    Registered Users Posts: 3,125 ✭✭✭lightening


    I canoed the canals years ago. Dollymount, across the bay, up the liffey, in to the canals and in to the country. Did both of them. Amazing, viaducts, aquaducts, weird and stunning sights, otters, pine martins, bogs, a fen, towns and one stretch where we were canoeing over shoal after shoal of fish. We camped in the wild and in farmers land (with permission) hid the canoes and strolled to pubs some nights. Would love to do it again.


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    #14
    Dirk Gently
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,784 ✭✭✭Dirk Gently


    I've cycled from croke park to Leixlip along the canal so yes it's walkable. It's a great little spin on a summers day if you have a mountain bike. Unpleasant section from castleknock (after the 9th lock pub) to the next break west (coolmine) due to overgrown nettles and a very narrow trail but still walkable if your careful and watch out for the jagged rocks in the trail and the big drop to the canal along that section. Real pity about that section, you'd think they'd get the oul black and decker strimmer out and sort it.


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