Corlea Trackway & Royal Canal

Hidden in the Longford bogs lies one of Europe's most remarkable archaeological discoveries - a 2,000-year-old wooden road preserved in peat. This route combines the ancient trackway with the Georgian engineering of the Royal Canal.

Why This Route?

Longford reveals unexpected treasures:

• Corlea Trackway - Iron Age road preserved for 2,000 years
• Royal Canal - Georgian waterway with restored towpath
• Bog landscape - Midland raised bogs
• Undiscovered - Few tourists venture here
• Free attractions - Major sites have free entry

Where to Stay

This quiet 62-kilometre circuit through County Longford visits the Corlea Trackway, the Royal Canal Greenway, and the Shannon crossing at Cloondara and Tarmonbarry. Longford Town is not in our accommodation network, but Athlone -- forty minutes south on the Shannon -- has a strong range of hotels and guesthouses and works as a practical base for this corner of the Midlands.

Athlone

From Athlone, the drive north to Longford Town and the Corlea Trackway visitor centre takes under forty minutes, giving you a full morning to see the 2,000-year-old Iron Age road and walk the bog. Continue to Cloondara where the Royal Canal meets the Shannon, cross to Tarmonbarry, and return through Newtownforbes and past Carrigglas Manor before heading back south. Athlone's riverside restaurants and Shannon-side walks make for a relaxed evening after a day exploring Longford's hidden heritage.

Corlea Trackway

In 148 BC, Iron Age people built a wooden road across the bog - possibly for ritual purposes rather than practical transport. The oak planks were preserved in waterlogged peat until discovered in 1984.

The Visitor Centre

• 18-metre section of original road on display
• Climate-controlled hall (essential for preservation)
• Audio-visual presentation
• Explanation of bog archaeology
• Free admission

Why Here?

The bog preserved what dry land would have destroyed. Similar trackways exist across Europe, but Corlea is among the finest.

The Route

Starting from Longford Town

The county town:

• St Mel's Cathedral (rebuilt after 2009 fire)
• Heritage centre
• Market town character

Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre

The highlight - allow 1-1.5 hours:

• Watch the film first
• See the preserved trackway
• Learn about Iron Age life
• Explore the bog setting

Keenagh

A village near the trackway site.

Royal Canal Greenway

The restored towpath is now a walking and cycling trail:

• 130km Dublin to Cloondara (Longford section)
• Flat, easy surface
• Lock houses and bridges
• Wildlife along the banks

Cloondara (Richmond Harbour)

Where the Royal Canal meets the Shannon:

• Historic harbour buildings
• Canal terminus
• Café and facilities
• Boat trips possible

Tarmonbarry

A Shannon crossing point with:

• Weir and lock
• River views
• Traditional village

Newtownforbes

A small estate village.

Carrigglas Manor

A Gothic Revival house with:

• Costume collection
• Gardens
• Tours by arrangement

Return via Longford

Complete the circuit through the county town.

Royal Canal History

Built 1790-1817, the Royal Canal was always the poor relation to the Grand Canal. Commercial traffic ceased in 1955, but restoration began in the 1970s.

The Rivalry

The Royal and Grand Canals competed for Dublin-Shannon traffic. The Royal took a more northerly route but never achieved profitability.

Today

The canal is:

• Fully navigable again
• Towpath restored as greenway
• Popular for walking and cycling
• Peaceful escape from roads

Walking & Cycling

Royal Canal Greenway

• Longford section: 25km
• Surface: Crushed stone
• Difficulty: Easy (flat)
• Facilities: Various access points

Corlea Bog Walk

Short trail at the visitor centre.

Wildlife

Bog Wildlife

• Hare
• Curlew
• Snipe
• Meadow pipit

Canal Wildlife

• Herons
• Kingfishers
• Swans
• Pike in the water

Practical Tips

1. Corlea - Free admission; check opening times
2. Trackway - Climate controlled; may feel cold
3. Greenway - Bike hire available in Longford
4. Cloondara - Small; limited facilities
5. Carrigglas - Check opening arrangements

Before You Drive This Route

The Corlea Trackway & Royal Canal is 62km and about 1.5 hours of driving, though 1 day is the honest figure once you factor in the stops. Visitors who have never driven on the left should start with driving on the left in Ireland; the Irish roundabout rules guide covers the other thing that catches people out. For what a trip like this costs in 2026, from fuel to beds, see the budget guide. Automatic or manual is the decision that catches most visitors out — manual versus automatic has the honest answer for Irish roads. More drives in the same corner of the country are on the County Longford page, and the Lough Ree Western Shore pairs naturally with this one.