The Velorail in Kiltimagh

Four people, one railway carriage, and pedal power. Welcome to Ireland’s most unusual transport experience, where you’ll cycle along abandoned railway tracks through Mayo countryside that time forgot.

The Velorail is exactly what it sounds like: a pedal-powered railway carriage that runs on actual train tracks. It’s part family outing, part workout, and entirely Irish in its wonderful absurdity.

Where Is It?

Kiltimagh sits in south Mayo, about halfway between Knock and Ballyhaunis on the N17. The Velorail operates on a 7-kilometre stretch of the old Claremorris to Collooney railway line, which closed to passenger traffic in 1976 but kept its tracks.

You’ll find the station right in the town centre, impossible to miss and proudly declaring itself as something completely different.

What Makes It Different?

This isn’t just another cycle trail with good marketing:

Railway authenticity – You’re on actual train tracks, not a converted path
Pedal power – Four-person carriages that move only when you do
Guided experience – Local guides share stories while you pedal
Rural immersion – Views of Mayo farmland that cars never see
Irish uniqueness – The only rail-bike experience in Ireland

Key Stops

Kiltimagh Station

Starting – Original Victorian station building serves as your departure point

Midway Rest Point

Breathing – Strategic stop where the guide explains the line’s turf-carrying history

Turnaround Bridge

Viewing – Stone railway bridge offers the best countryside views before you reverse direction

Platform Return

Finishing – Back where you started, but with significantly more stories to tell

What to Expect

Weather: Entirely exposed to the elements, so dress for Irish conditions and bring rain gear
Roads: No roads involved, but railway tracks can be bumpy in places
Mobile signal: Patchy to non-existent once you leave the station area
Food: Bring your own snacks, though Kiltimagh has cafés for before or after
Time needed: 90 minutes for the full experience, including briefing and stories

Did You Know?

Turf transport – This line was built primarily to carry turf from the bogs to Dublin
Railway preservation – Kiltimagh locals fought to keep the tracks when the line closed
French inspiration – The concept came from similar velorail experiences in rural France

Links & Resources

Velorail Ireland – Booking and session times for the rail-bike experience
The Irelander – Mayo Profile – History, stories and surnames from the county
The Irelander – Surname Finder – See if your family name traces back to this area

Final Thoughts

The Velorail works because it doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is: a gentle cycle along old railway tracks with good stories and better company. No dramatic scenery, no ancient monuments, just Mayo countryside and the simple pleasure of pedal-powered progress.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that make you smile rather than gasp.