The Royal Canal links the River Liffey in Dublin to the River Shannon in Longford. It is 145 kilometres in length and has an 8-kilometre branch line into Longford Town.
Our Royal Canal Camino walkers will follow an 18-kilometre or 36-kilometre section within County Longford and will also retrace in reverse approximately 20km of the National Famine Way which traces the ill-fated journey of 1,490 famine emigrants who walked from Strokestown Park to ships in Dublin in 1847, at the height of the Irish Famine.
The starting point of the 36km walk will be the picturesque village of Abbeyshrule. In 1150, one of Ireland’s first Cistercian abbeys was established in the valley of the River Inny in Abbeyshrule village. This was one of the largest abbeys in Leinster. Also in Abbeyshrule is the Whitworth Viaduct which carries the Royal Canal over the River Inny. Along the way you will pass the nearby towns of Ballymahon and Kenagh Village.
Corlea Bog Trackway is the halfway point of the 36km event – and the start of the 18km walk. Corlea Bog Trackway, an inspiring relic of prehistory: a togher – an Iron Age Road – built in 148 BC. Known locally as the Danes’ Road, it is the largest of its kind to have been uncovered in Europe.
Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre is at the halfway point of the Camino
Walkers will finish at Longford Athletics Club Indoor Athletics Training Centre in St. Mel’s College and in the shadow of St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford Town, Longford’s landmark building and one of the finest Catholic churches in Ireland.
The Royal Canal Greenway between Abbeyshrule and Longford Town offers a marvellous walking experience. Walking the Royal Canal Greenway takes you away from the noise of everyday life and transports you to a place where the sound of your own footsteps is all that interrupts the sounds of wildlife and the calming ebb and flow of the canal waters. Refresh your soul, lift your spirits, and feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction by completing the Royal Canal Camino.
The 36km Royal Canal Camino will start in two waves, with the first at 7:00am and then at 8:00am. The 18km Camino will start in one wave at 11:00am.
The Royal Canal Camino route is mostly off road along the Royal Canal Greenway trail. It has a flat profile with a nice under foot surface.