Overview of EuroVelo 2 in Ireland

The Irish section of EuroVelo 2 – Capitals Route, travels across the middle of Ireland between Galway City and Dublin Port. is relatively short at 231km and has virtually no hills.  As with all EuroVelo routes, you can travel in either direction. 

In Galway the route starts/ finishes in the city centre at Ceannt train station which is the main station in the city. In Dublin the route starts/finishes at the ferry terminal in Dublin Port.

There is a frequent train service between Galway City and Dublin City. You can bring your bike on the train so this allows you to cycle either direction on the route and get a train back to where you started.  There are also 10 train stations along the EuroVelo 2 route. Further details are provided in the section about Public Transport. 

EuroVelo 2 connects with EuroVelo 1 at Oranmore near Galway City so you may like to continue cycling either north or south from Galway on EuroVelo 1. There are also train stations on EuroVelo 1 that will also allow you to return to Dublin by train.  

Dublin Port has a regular ferry connection to and from Holyhead in Wales where you can connect to the UK section of EuroVelo 2. 

Ultimately it is planned that the EuroVelo 2 route in Ireland will be traffic free all the way. However, the full traffic free route is not yet complete. Currently about 60% (135km) of the route can be cycled without traffic – between Athlone and Dublin.  The remaining 95km is a temporary route following mostly quiet roads between Galway City and Athlone. 

Video of Old Rail Trail Greenway – part of EuroVelo 2