Cycle the Canal
Discover the beauty of the Royal Canal, and the charm of its unique neighbourhoods, on a cycle along its city towpaths. Hop on your bike or rent one for the day, to experience the sheer joy of the waterway from the saddle.
Largely following the Royal Canal Way National Waymarked Trail, you'll find the route a mix of well-surfaced on-road cycle paths and road cycling. Begin at the Royal Canal Way's start point, Charleville Mall by Newcomen Bridge and follow the waterway right to its city edges at Castleknock. A comfortable 30-minute cycle, the route is linear and suitable for all manner of cyclist, extending from the canal's first to 12th locks.
With construction of the Royal Canal Greenway still underway (set to be the country's longest off-road greenway), the completed section you'll find on this route spans 2.5km between Ashtown Gate and Castleknock.
Brimming with plenty of centuries-old bridges and intriguing 200-year-old locks, a jaunt in the saddle is an idyllic way to embrace the area's built heritage. You'll pedal under the iconic shadow of Croke Park, spot a statue of the area's literary son, find a historic calculation and be well placed to spin over to fascinating Glasnevin Cemetery Museum. When you're all pedalled-out, you'll easily find the ideal spot to fill your belly in too. You can also carry on the Royal Canal Greenway taking you from Maynooth to Clondara in Co. Longford.
Hire bike, will travel
With stations spread all over the city, the Dublin Bikes scheme conveniently allows you to rent a city bike for short journeys – ideal for serene cycles by the water. If you're not an annual Dublin Bikes card holder, you can buy a three-day ticket at your nearest Dublin Bike station. With plenty of these handy bike stations adjacent to the Royal Canal – North Circular Road, Killarney Street and the Mater Hospital among them – you'll be pedalling this regal route in no time.
Dublin Bikes, multiple city centre locations
If you fancy treating yourself to a slightly more stylish set of wheels, how about a spin on a shiny red Danish street bike? Neill's Wheels' signature bikes let you cycle the city at your own pace and come complete with helmets, maps, locks, suggested routes and even the odd picnic basket! Rent your two-wheeled steed from its Dublin 1 base (a 13-minute walk or four-minute cycle from the canal's Newcomen Bridge bank) and you're all set to go.
Neill's Wheels, Isaac's Hostel, 2-5 Frenchman's Lane, Dublin 1
Located a five-minute walk or one-minute cycle from the Cross Guns Bridge banks, Rothar in Phibsborough are another nifty rental spot. Offering full and half-day bicycle rentals, the proverbial icing on the cake is that 'rothar' is the Irish for bicycle!
Rothar, 167 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7
Find more ways to explore Dublin Canals, check out our Highlights section.