Ramble Royal Canal Leixlip/ Maynooth

Date:  Wed. 11th June 2025

Walk: Royal Canal Way  –  EASY RAMBLE

Meeting Point: Skerries Train Station 

Time:  Meet at 08.45 a.m. departing on 08.53 a.m. train to Connolly, then 09.50 a.m. to Leixlip (Confey) arr. 10.22 a.m.

Walk Starting point:  Confey Coffee

Walk Starting Time: 11.00 a.m.

Route: Royal Canal Way from Leixlip (Confey) – Cope Bridge, to Maynooth, taking in a loop of Carton Demesne en route from Pike Bridge.  A nice combination of canal and woodland walk.

Distance: 12 km

Duration: 3 – 3.5 hrs 

Leader: John Coleman

A short walk from Leixlip (Confey) Station to Confey Coffee in the Youth & Community Centre (beside the library) for coffee & scones before starting the walk. 

The Royal Canal Way is a most interesting and pleasant walk. We will be walking the stretch from Leixlip (Confey) to Maynooth.  En route we will be taking in the Rye Valley Aqueduct, Leixlip Spa, a lovely 2.4 km woodland loop walk of Carton Demesne and Maynooth town with St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth University and the imposing FitzGerald Castle.  

We will have post walk refreshments & food in Brady’s Clockhouse Bar, Maynooth for those who want to relax after the walk before catching a return train from Maynooth.

Return trains from Maynooth:

14.39  arr. Connolly  15.23 Pl. 5     15.27 dep. Connolly Pl. 7  arr. Skrs 16.01

15.09 arr. Connolly  15.53  Pl. 5     16.09 dep. Connolly Pl. 7  arr. Skrs 16.45  

15.30 arr. Connolly 16.17  Pl. 5      16.27 dep. Connolly Pl. 7  arr. Skrs 17.01

*15.42 arr Connolly  16.27  Pl.4     16.53  dep. Connolly Pl. 3   arr Skrs 17.25 

16.08  arr Connolly  16.53 Pl. 7      17.07  dep. Connolly Pl. 6   arr Skrs 17.43 

16.39  arr Connolly  17.23 Pl. 6      17.27  dep. Connolly Pl. 6   arr Skrs 18.01

Please text Leader John Coleman by Tues. 10th June if you intend going on the walk and indicating whether meeting up in Skerries, Connolly or Leixlip.

For anyone wishing to drive there is plenty of parking at Leixlip (Confey) Train Station. Can easily get the train back then from Maynooth to pick up the car.