In a land of 100,000 welcomes and as many historic treasures, the Grand Canal stands out as one of Ireland’s unheralded manmade masterpieces.  This grand old engineering marvel winds genteelly through the centre of Dublin, passes through fertile farmlands and charming villages and past the crumbling remnants of old tower houses and castles in the country’s midlands, on its way 80 some miles later to the River Shannon.

As a canal, it is most commonly viewed in boating terms.  And it is a delightfully peaceful waterway for boaters.  But in recent years, thanks to the Irish government, the communities along its route, and the Irish public, it has become one of the nation’s finest routes for walkers and hikers.  The Grand Canal Way, an official walking trail following the old towpath, hugs the edge of the canal for its entire distance. The way is well-maintained, with walking surfaces ranging from grassy surfaces typically a few meters wide to paved surfaces.  At times a local gravel or paved road built on the towpath becomes the way. But at no times is the walker left stranded without a comfortable path.

This website tells the tale of my hike along the Grand Canal from east to west in the autumn of 2003.  With apologies to the Irish, I habitually call this 80+ mile trek a “hike” although I gather it is more commonly called a “walk” in Ireland.

The reader is advised to take my thoughts and recommendations with due caution and confirm distances, lodging, sites, and other details from one or more other sources.  Check Books and maps as a beginning.

What I hope to portray here is the Grand Canal as an idyllic, safe and eminently serene route for both the casual day-hiker and someone who wants to spend several days on foot as a through-hiker.  Or put two days together and enjoy a wonderful weekend in peaceful and picturesque rural Ireland.

I welcome your comments and suggestions.  Email me at GrandCanalHiker@aol.com

I will update this site from time to time, incorporating readers’ suggestions, so come back to visit again.