Last week we posted a great super 8 video on the rail line from Adare to Fenit, it is worth mentioning that the majority of the Limerick section of the line [from Abbeyfeale to Rathkeale] has now been reopened as The Great Southern Trail (GST).
The realisation of this Greenway was only possible thanks to the local community, state agencies, Limerick County Council and above all the trojan work of the Great Southern Trail Action Group.
This has not been a short or a trouble-free journey, the Great Southern Trail Group was formed in 1991 and over the past 21 year this voluntary group has worked tirelessly to complete the 35 Km [22 mile] route that is now open. Although some parts of this route have been open for some years now it has only been in the last few month that work on 2 short sections that broke the path has been completed.
Last year the Great Southern Trail deservedly received an award from the European Greenways Association (EGWA) in recognition of the efforts made for the last 20 years by the volunteer enthusiasts of the GST who, with their tireless endeavour, have succeeded in making reality the conversion of a dissused railway line into a Greenway to be enjoyed by all.
Of course the Tralee and Fenit Railway and the North Kerry Railway share the same track bed for the first couple of miles out of Tralee, meaning that that the realisation of Tralee to Fenit project would also be another piece of the Great Southern Trial completed. It would be great to see these old friends, the North Kerry and Feint routes reunited!
If you are looking for a day out walking or cycleing the Great Southern Trail is highly recommended, and keep an eye out for the signage along the route which includes Tralee and Fenit !
Unfortunately, just after the Fenit and Limerick lines split outside Tralee, the Limerick line has been completely severed by a unscrupulous moron who has extended their back garden on to it. It’s a similar story elsewhere along the line. Iarnród Éireann do nothing about it.
The statue of limitations is 30 years so the clock is ticking fast. If a trail along the entire line is ever to be a reality we must act now and pressure Kerry County Council to acquire ownership from IE of the line as far as Abbeyfeale in the same manner as they have acquired ownership of the Fenit line.
So it’s up to us to act now. If we leave it even just a couple more years, it will be gone. For good.
Hey Fergal,
You are right about the ticking clock, if these issues were tackled now they would be easily resolved, but the longer they are left the more of a problem they are going to be.
As the Limerick section of the Great Southern Tail is now complete their focus is now on the Kerry section, might be good to get in contact.
http://www.southerntrail.net/
I wonder if BT knows that someone has extended their garden over their optic fiber ?