Offaly, part ii - Grand Canal Greenway

Irish author Sinéad Moriarty travels to Croghan Hill where she takes a short steep hike up an ancient trail with links to St.Brigid and St.Patrick.  

Just before she reaches the very top she meets with Heritage Officer, Amanda Pedlow who fills her in on the mythical history of this beautiful site and tales of recent archelogical finds in the area.    Although this trail is only 1km up to the top, for a short hike, it packs it all in and is a surprising and enjoyable trail to discover.

For her last trail, Sinéad swaps her hiking boots for the two wheels of an electric bike for a cycle from Ballycommon to Rahan along the Grand Canal Greenway. 

This Greenway starts in Ringsend and goes all the way to Shannon Harbour, with about 71km of Greenway in Co.Offaly.  The Grand Canal Greenway can be easily done in sections with bike hire available at points along the way, and for this visit Sinéad picks up an electric bike at Ballycommon with plans to cycle 18km to her destination at Rahan.  

Sinéad meanders past rolling Offaly landscapes, historic sites, canal locks and many visible traces of old Ireland’s engineering past.   On one of the final sections of the bike ride Sinéad is joined by local tourism officer, Olive Farrelly who keeps her company for a chat until they part at one of the beautiful old bridges which are dotted along this trail. As she reaches the end of her visit she is happy to say that she has been charmed and delighted by all that Co.Offaly has to offer.