Distance: 18km (11 Miles)
Estimated Time: 5 - 5.5 hours
Trail Waymarking: Red
Terrain: Stone/Gravel Pathways
Level of Difficulty: Hard
The World Class Mayo Greenway follows the line of the famous Newport / Mulranny Railway, which closed in 1937. Local landlords have allowed permissive access to walkers through their lands, which has resulted in the opening up of this route. With gentle gradients and idyllic scenery, the Mayo Greenway is a must for walkers.
From Railway to Greenway
The Newport / Mulranny railway formed part of the once famous Westport / Achill Railway. This railway was one of the so-called 'Balfour Lines', called after Arthur J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland during the years 1887-91, who introduced the Light Railways (Ireland) Act which provided State assistance for the construction of narrow gauge lines to disadvantaged areas such as West Mayo. The first station on this extension was Newport which opened in February 1894, followed by Mallaranny in August of the same year. The line to Achill was completed in May 1895.
Individual towns and villages prospered with the arrival of the Great Western and Midland Railway company. The promoters of the line had high hopes for its future and it proved to be a great social and economic asset to West Mayo. However demand for the Greenway never reached the levels anticipated and as more people began to use road transport, demand for the line continued to dwindle. The last train ran in the Autumn of 1937, a mere 42 years after the line had opened.
Check out my blog on my experience cycling the Mayo Greenway
