| Great Southern Trail | |
|---|---|
| Length | 85 kilometres (53 miles) |
| Location | Counties Limerick & Kerry, Ireland |
| Trailheads | Limerick, Tralee |
| Use | Cycling and Walking |
| Season | Any |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Website | http://www.southerntrail.net/ |
The Great Southern Trail is a greenway rail trail under development in Counties Limerick and Kerry, Ireland. It is intended to be 85 kilometres (53 miles) long when completed and run from Limerick to Tralee.[1] It is an off-road trail intended for use by cyclists and walkers. It follows the route of the former Great Southern and Western Railway Limerick to Tralee line which opened between 1867 and 1880 and was closed between 1975 and 1977.[1] At present some 35 kilometres (22 miles) of the route between Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale have been developed.[2] The developed section of the trail passes through Ardagh, Newcastle West and Barnagh.[3]
The voluntary group, Great Southern Trail Ltd., has been developing the trail over a 20-year period, at an estimated cost to date of €1 million.[4] They were awarded a special jury prize by the European Greenways Association at the 2011 European Greenways Awards in recognition of their efforts to develop the greenway over the last 20 years.[5] Development of the trail has run into some difficulties, particularly in keeping the land, which is owned by CIÉ, in public ownership and away from some local landowners wanting it for their own use.[6]