The 12 Wonders of the BVL Greenway

December 18, 2024December 19, 2024
by Navan Cycling Initiative

As you may be able to tell, we’re rather big fans of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway (BVL Greenway) here at Navan Cycling.

There isn’t a day that goes by that you won’t find one of our members out for a spin on our local greenway. We’ve watched closely over the years as it has developed and we’re very excited for the future. With that in mind, here is our 12 Wonders of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway, with some highlights on this wonderful journey. So, in no particular order:

1) Park Beo Greenway Hub

Where else to start? A must-visit on your trip to the BVL Greenway, no matter where you begin your adventure. The idea of a greenway hub is pretty new in Ireland, but we think this has claim to be the best, with everything you need and 100s of visitors on any day. Created completely independently, here you will find sheltered picnic areas, bike repair stations, e-bike chargers, toilets, complete with tasty coffee and treats from the outdoor cafe. What a huge success the Park Beo Greenway Services Hub has been, with even more to come.

Park Beo Greenway Services Hub, operating by the Doughty family, in Wilkinstown (Photo: RTE)

2) Sli na hOibre

The village of Nobber has perhaps best managed to capture what a greenway can do for a local community. Or rather, what a community can do for a greenway. A beautiful loop around the village is always worth exploring, and will bring you to local trails, restored heritage sites, community gardens, as well as the perfect coffee stop at the Greenways Cafe on main street.

One of the beautiful gardens in Sli na hOibre (Photo: picsweld@gmail.com)

3) Brought back to life

Being an old railway line, the route was always there since the line closed to the public in 1947, but it was closed off to the public. Now, not only is the history of the route brought back to life, but towns and villages on it have been revitalised, with lots of new businesses and community initiatives popping up. Plus, the alignment is preserved if a future rail line is needed to go in alongside the greenway. See below for a more detailed history.

A brief history of the railway, by Dónal Ó Murchú, Navan Cycling Initiative

4) Connecting to nature

The greenway has allowed people to connect to nature and explore a previously inaccessible route. When works were complete on transforming the old railway line to a greenway, the landscape was bare and mostly dirt. So what happened? Nothing. Left to its own devices, nature took over and biodiversity bloomed, as it always does.

Native Irish wildflowers in full bloom

5) Feel Good Bicycles

Not only do Feel Good Bicycles do bike hire, but now there’s a full on-site shop offering bike services, repairs, sales, and stock in store, with even more to come. Service and advice guaranteed, especially from Navan Cycling’s own Iain, your friendly mechanic! Feel Good Bicycles also recently took home an award for ‘Best Small Tourism Business’, and we couldn’t agree more.

The Feel Good Bicycles shop located in the Park Beo Greenway Hub

6) Whitewood Lough

The jewel in the crown. A sighting of Ireland’s own Loch Ness Monster. The scenic views. Whatever your reason, the lake near Kilmainhamwood is a must-visit. There are also plans in progress to have a boardwalk going out over the lake – much like the Acres Lake Floating Boardwalk in Drumshanbo – which would be really something.

A scenic view over the stunning Whitewood Lough (Photo: picsweld@gmail.com)

7) A friendly smile

One of the best things about the getting out on the greenway is whether you are walking or cycling, you will always have the chance to meet and greet with others. Be it cyclists coming from Kingscourt or Navan, backpackers from all over Ireland and beyond, or organised community or Men’s/Women’s shed outings, you can always be sure of meeting plenty of new faces all out enjoying the greenway. Be sure to give a wave and say hello!

8) Siamsa Glas Festival

Only in its first year of existence, the Siamsa Glas Festival was a huge success. Taking place over two days in September, the festival saw a packed programme of events all based around and celebrating the BVL Greenway. With everything from nature walks to bodhrán biking trips, seisiún ceoil and céilí mór, treasure hunts and interactive workshops, all combined with an opportunity to experience the culture of Meath’s Gaeltacht, Baile Ghib, this is one festival to keep an eye on!

The Siamsa Glas Festival (Photo: Discover Boyne Valley)

9) A grand occasion

The grand opening of the BVL Greenway was certainly a day to remember. And not just for the, eh, lovely weather. The media circus swept into County Meath in May, with no less than four Ministers, their entourages, two Local Authority Chief Executives, and a literal busload of local councillors on hand to cut the ribbon. Read our action-packed first-hand account of it here, and click below to see RTE’s official coverage.

10) Castletown Walking Trail

A visit to the charming village of Castletown Kilpatrick will bring you to a 1.4km Castletown Walking Trail, connecting to the greenway and into the village itself. Along the way there is a pitch and putt course for any golfers, as well as plans for a Men’s Shed and coffee shop just beside the greenway.

11) The man with the plan

It’s no exaggeration to say that the BVL Greenway probably wouldn’t exist without the persistence of one man: Councillor Eugene Cassidy. From first proposing to Meath County Council that the old railway line could be converted into a greenway back in the late 2000’s, to keeping the pressure on to secure funding and making sure this greenway saw the light of day, its been a long journey for Cllr Cassidy, but one he should be immensely proud of. Thanks Eugene!

Hats off to Councillor Eugene Cassidy, centre, on the bike, pictured at the official opening of the BVL Greenway

12) Just the beginning

This is only the beginning for this greenway. It is now recognised as part of a national greenway network, with visitors from all over Ireland and beyond (just google it on YouTube). Improvements and upgrades are happening all the time – such as a coffee shop in Castletown, a boardwalk at Whitewood Lough, and a loop into Dun A Rí Forest Park. There is also talk of extending it to the north, to eventually join with Dundalk in Co Louth, and at the other end in Navan, over the River Blackwater on the old railway line to come out on the Kells Road.