On 29th of April 2026, the European Commission organized a webinar on “Environmental Sustainability as a Competitiveness Strategy and Economic Lever for Tourism,” with the involvement of the European Greenways Association, a member of the expert group “Together for EU Tourism – T4T,” led by DG Mobility and Transport.

The program included a presentation of best practices from the Great Western Greenway Cycling & Walking Trail in Ireland, the winner of the European Greenways Award 2025 in the Green Transition category. It was presented by Maura Murphy, Tourism Officer, Mayo County Council, Great Western Greenway.

The panoramic Great Western Greenway, running 49km around the Eastern and Northern stretches of Clew Bay in Co Mayo. and once Ireland’s longest Greenway, became so popular that it inspired similar ventures all over the island. Today more than a 250,000 people per year use the Great Western Greenway, attracted by the motor-free, natural environment and the beautiful, ever-changing views of Mayo’s mountains, bogs, farmland, and dramatic Atlantic coastline.

The Great Western Greenway follows the old Midlands Great Western Railway, which closed in 1937. The best approach is from west to east, with the prevailing wind at your back. Of course, you don’t have to complete the entire 42 kilometers; multiple entry points let you choose smaller sections if you wish.

Newport Mulranny Greenway. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin