Cycling the Suir Blueway - Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland

Overview

The Suir Blueway runs 53 km in an east-west direction from Carrick-on-Suir to Cahir via Clonmel. The cycling and walking section is a 21 km marked trail along the River Suir towpath from Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel, following the same historic route used by merchants and tradesmen for centuries. With Carrick-on-Suir being the hometown of Sean Kelly and Sam Bennett, many consider this area to be Ireland's spiritual home of cycling - though the trail itself is a flat, accessible towpath that suits all abilities, not just the competitive cyclist. If you prefer a shorter route, simply cycle out and turn around once you've had your fill.

What You'll See

The route is the flattest and easiest of Ireland's blueway and greenway trails, running along a riverbank framed by forests, pasture land, wildflowers, and arched stone bridges at Carrick-on-Suir, Kilsheelan, and Clonmel. Wildlife along the route includes otters, heron, and kingfishers. The trail takes in beautiful bridges, castles, and churches in picturesque countryside with the Comeragh Mountains rising to the south as a near-constant backdrop. The midway village of Kilsheelan offers a natural rest stop with riverside access.

Visitor Essentials

Treacy's Blueway Bike Hire is based at North Quay, Carrick-on-Suir, open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm, and 10am to 6pm on Sundays and bank holidays. Men's, women's, children's, and electric bikes are all available, along with helmets and bike locks included in the price. Pre-booking is recommended by calling 051-640130. Electric bike rental is €40 for a full day. Children's bikes are €10 per day for kids up to 12 years old. Confirm current adult standard bike pricing directly with Treacy's, as rates can vary. The majority of the trail from Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir is wheelchair accessible and toilet facilities exist at certain points along the route.

Tips

The trail is linear, so most cyclists ride it out-and-back from Carrick-on-Suir, covering 42 km in total - a very manageable half-day for most riders. Those who want a one-way ride should arrange transport or accommodation at the Clonmel end. Access points along the route are at Sean Healy Park in Carrick-on-Suir, Kilsheelan, Denis Burke Park in Clonmel, and Suir Island in Clonmel. Parking at Carrick-on-Suir can be tight at busy times - consider arriving early or using the depot car park at Treacy's on North Quay, which is available to bike hire customers. Ormond Castle is a two-minute walk from the Carrick-on-Suir start point and well worth visiting before or after the ride.

Bike Hire Site: https://bluewaybikehire.ie

Interactive Trail Map: https://tipperary.com/suir-blueway-tipperary/