Signing

This page provides information about the signing of EuroVelo routes in Ireland and things you should know related to following the route. There are some pictures below of the different signs you might see.

General Information about signage

If there is a junction/ turn on the road or path with no sign this means there is no change of direction and you should continue in the same direction
Signs are sometimes on the same pole as other directional signs and sometimes they are alone on a pole.
On the same pole as a Eurovelo sign you may also see white directional signs to a destination with black text and a distance to the destination.
- These signs are primarily to direct motorists to the destination.
- EuroVelo 1 may follow a different route to the destination, so if you want to stay on the route, you should follow the EuroVelo signing.
- The distance to the destination via the EuroVelo route may be different than the distance on the route signposted for motorists. It is often longer on the EuroVelo route as it follows quiet roads or more scenic roads.
In some urban areas there may be a one way traffic flow and if the EuroVelo route shares the road with other traffic it is necessary for cyclists to follow the one way system – e.g. Limerick City and Galway City. In these cases, the route signing will be different for cyclists going towards the north and cyclists going towards the south.
On Greenways the signing has a green background with white text. Where EuroVelo 1 is on a greenway the logo will be displayed.

EuroVelo 1 – Republic of Ireland

The whole route is signposted – in the both directions – from south to north and north to south.
There are some different types of signs. Designated cycle routes on road in Ireland have a white background with blue text. On greenways you will see green signs with the greenway logo and the EuroVelo 1 logo.
Signs on the EuroVelo 1 route will always have the Eurovelo 1 logo as shown below.
There may also be other logos or numbers on the sign related to local cycle routes.
If you see a cycle route directional sign that does not have the EuroVelo logo you may be following another cycle route.

EuroVelo 1 – Northern Ireland

The route in Northern Ireland is signposted only between Strabane and Cookstown. These signs will have a EuroVelo 1 logo. For the rest of the route in Northern Ireland it is essential to have a map or follow the route on a phone app or a dedicated bike GPS unit. The GPX file for the full route in Northern Ireland can be found on the EuroVelo 1 page.

EuroVelo 2

This route is not yet signposted with EuroVelo signs. However, for a large part of the route along the Royal Canal Greenway and The Old Rail Trail Greenway the route is very straight forward to follow. There are no deviations of the route and you can follow the signage for both of these greenways respectively. At a point west of Mullingar the route splits. The Royal Canal Greenway continues but to follow the EuroVelo route you branch left onto the Old Rail Trail. This will be signposted at the location of the split.

Between Athlone and Galway the route is on the road and it is essential to have a map of the route to navigate this section. Ideally this will be on an app on your phone or on a bike specific navigation device. The route can be downloaded from the EuroVelo 2 page.

Between Galway ad Oranmore (east of the city) the route coincides with the EuroVelo 1 route – so you can follow the EuroVelo 1 signage.

Recommendation

EuroVelo 1 in the Republic of Ireland and part of the route in Northern Ireland is signposted but some of it is not and EuroVelo 2 is not yet signposted. Even for the signposted sections it is strongly recommended that you bring a detailed map of the route – either a paper copy or a copy on a phone. If you have a GPS unit on your bike it is also recommended that you load the route on to this as a back up confirmation of the route even where there are signs.

With so many signs there is a possiblity that some will be missing, damaged or misaligned (pointing the wrong direction). Signs get blown by the wind, moved by mischievous people, hit by vehicles, stolen of poles etc.his to assist navigation.

You can download the GPX files for the full route on the EuroVelo 1 and EuroVelo 2 pages and the files for the setions on the section pages.

If you see problem with a sign, or any other problem on the route, please contact info@euroveloireland.ie