National/International days come thick and fast and it can be difficult, at the best of times, to know what you’re supposed to be commemorating from one 24-hour period to the next.
For instance, whether you’re currently visiting – or returning to – Ireland having spent the last few weeks in the US you may still be recovering from the excesses of National Chocolate Milkshake Day; while many of us will still be recovering from International Bacon Day earlier this month.
If so, what better location to be in to shed those extra celebration pounds, by walking them off in stunning surroundings.
This weekend – Sunday, October 2, to be precise – marks World Walking Day and Ireland boasts some of the best walking trails in the world. That is official, by the way.
The Waterford Greenway (see link below) was recently ranked inside the top 25 most beautiful walking trails in the world; coming in ahead of arguably more famous international trails like the Lunga Via in Italy, the High Lonesome Loop in the Colorado Rockies and the Pennine Way in the UK.
What’s more, the Great Western Greenway – in Co Mayo – along with the Kerry Way and Causeway Coast Way, in Co Antrim were also ranked among the world’s top 50 most picturesque walks.
Waterford Greenway in Top 25 Most Beautiful Trails | Travel 2 Ireland
Limerick Greenway – a popular scenic 40km off-road walking and cycling route – is inviting walkers and ramblers, and indeed cyclists, to indulge in its charms this weekend.
The greenway runs through the rural countryside of west Limerick, running through the three market towns of Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale, where visitors will pass through the 115m Barnagh Tunnel, and can stop off for some crazy golf or a pottery class at the Barnagh Greenway Hub and cross the cast-iron Ferguson’s Viaduct, a restored relic of the 19th century Limerick to Tralee train line.
Since its reopening in July of last year, Limerick Greenway has welcomed over 500,000 visits, following a €10m investment by Limerick City and County Council.