Tourist Cycling Information |
Bord Fáilte Irish Tourist Board Cycling in Ireland 2002INFORMATION SHEET No. 02JIreland has more miles of road per square mile than any other country in the world. Most of these are minor, and on quite a few you are as likely to meet a slow-moving tractor as a motor car. Also, even in the most mountainous areas, the roads do not rise very high above sea level, so cyclists have few hills to climb. Irish weather is excellent for an active holiday. It is rarely too hot in summer or too cold in winter, to cycle. When it rains, the countryside is transformed and the streams turn to silver. Nevertheless, don't forget to bring good raingear! The scenery is wonderfully varied. There are mountains - though they are not high by Alpine standards (anything over 400m is a mountain in Ireland). There are rich farmlands, and a dramatic coastline thousands of kilometres in length. There are castles by the thousand, Iron Age forts, prehistoric burial sites, cathedrals and churches, fine country houses and parks. There are woods to walk and picnic in, mountains to climb, many beaches (warmed by the Gulf Stream), lakes and rivers to fish. The countryside is full of pleasant, relaxed towns and villages, and most important, there are Ireland's welcoming people, always glad of a chat, especially in the pub in the evening. The pub is also the place to hear the best Irish traditional music, especially in the West. A word about 'Mountain Biking'. There are plenty of forest tracks and rough lanes to attract more adventurous cyclists, but please be careful where you ride. Many of the most attractive wilder areas of the country have a surface of buggy peat and easily damaged vegetation. Even a single bike can cut a trench through that vegetation and start erosion that will eventually leave only bare rock. Please also avoid cycling on footpaths marked with a Walking Man Symbol. Maps - Ireland is convered at 1: 250 000 scale (quarter-inch to one mile) in four sheets. These are up-to-date, show most roads, and will generally serve the cyclist adequately. There are also 1:126,720 (half-inch to one mile) maps but they are being superseded by a new 1:50,000 series and are becoming Out of date. They are certainly useful if you are centre-based and cycling locally. The 1:50,000 maps are excellent. Accommodation - Your nearest Irish Tourist Board Office can supply information about hotels, guesthouses, farmhouses, town and country homes and hostels. Local Tourist Information Offices in Ireland can also supply this information. Except in high season or during local festivals, booking ahead is usually unnecessary for small parties. If you arrive in your chosen area without a bicycle, you will have no difficulty in hiring one locally. Travelling with a bicycle - If you decide to visit a region quite distant from your point of entry, and do not wish to waste time cycling there, trains will always carry bicycles in the guard's van at a reasonable cost. CYCLING OPERATORS
SIGNPOSTED CYCLING ROUTESBeara Way Cycling Route. Co. Cork. The Beara Way cycling route is a circular route of approximately 136km through the Beam Peninsula. The route generally uses country roads and stays close to the coastline. The route travels along the entire Beara Peninsula passing through all the towns and villages along the way. There is no start or finish so you can join the route in any town and village on the peninsula. With the addition of the two route options running north to south across the peninsula it brings the total route to an estimated 171 km. The route is signposted with a logo and a bicycle symbol. The Ring of Kerry Cycling Route. Co. Kerry. The Ring of Kerry Cycle route passes through some of the most beautiful countryside to be found in all of Ireland. It is an area known throughout the world for its archaeological treasures, breathtaking scenery and charming hospitality. The route travels along quieter country roads where possible, and passes through all the key towns and villages along the way. The entire journey is 2 17km (136 miles) with 74km (34% of the route) on the main road and 143km (660, of the route) on minor roads. It should ideally be cycled in a clockwise direction for safety and spread over a week in order to fully appreciate the relaxing atmosphere and magnificent variety of scenery. The entire journey is signposted. Cork City - Beara - Gougane Barra Cycling Route. Co. Cork The route starts in the Mardyke. off the Western Road in Cork City, and is signposted with two logos and a bicycle symbol. The route divides in Inchigeela; the Gougane Barra route finishes in Gougane Barra and the Beara route travels west via Kealkill to Glengarriff. The route travels along quiet country roads and passes through towns and villages along the way. The main route to Glengarriff is divided into two sections. The entire route is 94kms long. The Duhallow Trail. Co. Cork. One of the best ways to explore the enchanting and tranquil region of Duhallow in North Cork is to follow the Duhallow Trail route. The trail gives a unique insight into rural life in Duhallow. This is a place of beautiful isolation and small hospitable communities - a place to imbibe the past while retaining the conveniences of modern living. The main route of over 100 miles / 176kms is well signposted. Táin Trail and Cycling Route 687kms (365 miles) This is a route of epic proportions, which runs from Roscommon in the Midlands through some of the most unspoilt scenery in Ireland, across counties Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Louth, up to the beautiful Cooley Peninsula on the North East Coast and back again to Roscommon. In the ancient Irish saga of the Táin Bo Cuailgne or Cattle Raid of Cooley, this was the route taken by Queen Maeve of Connaught and her armies, from the royal palace in Rathcroghan, in her pursuit of the great Brown Bull of Cooley. The Brown Bull and lands of Ulster are defended by the great Celtic hero Cuchalainn as his fellow' warriors lie asleep under a spell. The modern route retraces her steps and passes by the many resting places and battle sites of the armies, providing one of the most varied and fascinating cycle routes in Ireland. The Tam Trail brochure and route map will be available from all main tourist offices in Ireland from April 2000. For more information contact: Dundalk Tourist Office, Jocelyn Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Tel: +353 (0)42 9335484 Email: dundalktouristoffiee@eircom.net The Oriel Trail Cycle Route - 150kms The Oriel Trail is a scenic route which passes through the many small picturesque towns and villages of County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, part of the ancient Kingdom of Oriel. Starting in the historic town of Drogheda, it then follows the coast through pretty towns and fishing villages up to the rugged mythology steeped Cooley Peninsula, traversing the spectacular mountain passes of the area before returning through the rolling farmland of mid-Louth to Drogheda again. The Newgrange Passage Tomb and the ancient monastic sites of Mellifont Abbey and Monasterboice can easily he visited from the route, which also runs through the Medieval Heritage Town of Carlingford. The Oriel Trail brochure is available from the Dundalk Tourist Office The Humbert Cycle Route In August 1798 a French expeditionary force under the command of General Humbert landed in Co. Mayo. Their aim was to assist Irish patriots in the Rebellion of 1798. Follow in the footsteps of the Franco-lrish army on the route they proceeded through counties Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim to the scene of their final battle and surrender in Co. Longford. For further information contact the Westport Tourist Information Office on Tel: +353 (0)98 25711 The Kingfisher Trail The Kingfisher Trail is Ireland's first long distance cycle trail. The trail is 301km long (230 miles) and takes in counties Leitrim, Fermanagh and parts of Cavan. Monaghan and Donegal. The trail itself is designed in a figure 8 is with villages like Belleek and Pettigo at the top, Leitrim Ballyconnell and Belturbet at the bottom and Florencecourt in the middle. At the sendentary end of the scale of challenge you can complete each stage in a fairly leisurely 2-3 hours. That leaves you the rest of the day for resting, strolling or visiting the highlights of the trail. At this rate you will cover about 16 miles in a day. On a more active level you can take on a planned 30-40 miles a day and do side loops to put yourself to a full test. The Kingfisher Cycle Trail has it's headquarters at Wellington Road, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanangh Tel: (01365) 320121 Fax: (01365) 325511. The Carrick-on-Shannon number is Tel: +353 (0)78 20170 Goldsmith Tour 80km I 50 miles This tour, located in the Midlands of Ireland. passes through many small towns and villages closely associated with Oliver Goldsmith, one of Ireland's greatest eighteenth century writers. Many of these towns and villages are named in his writings. Starting in Longford town this route travels along quiet country roads, taking in picturesque towns and villages such as the heritage village of Ardagh. Abbeyshrule. Ballymahon. Kilkenny West. Glasson and Athlone. Discover diverse and breathtaking scenery, ancient historical sites including the early Christian Church at Ardagh and monastic remains at Abbeyshrule. For further information contact: Mullingar Tourist Office, Market House, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath. Tel: +353 (0)44 48650 Fax: +353 (0)44 40413. Entail: midlandseasttourism@eircom.net Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy is the compilation of this brochure. Bord Fáilte or IrishCycling.com cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions but where such are brought to our attention, future publications will be amended accordingly. Some sporting activities may by their nature be hazardous and involve risk it is recommended in such cases to take out personal accident insurance. While most operators would have public insurance it is desirable to check with the establishment or with the operator concerned as to the level of cover carried. Published by Bord Fáilte - Irish Tourist Board 02/00
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