Jul 2020 – Athlone, Republic of Ireland

A 25-mile rail trail has been created between Athlone and Mullingar in the Republic of Ireland. A route map with access points may be found on the Westmeath County Council website. The trail, which was opened in October 2015, uses a converted stretch of the Midlands Great Western Railway and is intended eventually to form part of the proposed Galway to Dublin Cycleway. The line closed as recently as 1987 and a single track remains in situ alongside at least part of the trail. A new bridge is planned to cross the River Shannon in Athlone, which would bring the trail into the centre of the town. (Phillip Earnshaw)