Ireland east to west

[ClichéGuevara]

Thinking of riding from Dublin Ferry to the West Coast. Looking at traveling light, so B&B about mid-way and one on the west coast before heading back on the train.

Anyone any tips or advice on a route or decent stopping places?

 

[JackE]

There are 2 canal path routes that will take you out of central Dublin to the West. The Royal canal goes through Mullingar and joins the River Shannon near Longford. The Grand canal takes a more southerly route through Tullamore and ends near Shannonbridge.
You could perhaps use one of them for initially getting out of the serious traffic of Dublin city (and it's suburbs). You will need a fairly robust bike as, although the paths have been improved a lot in recent years, they will probably get more challenging the further west you go.
This book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...books&field-keywords=towpath+tours+john+dunne might be helpful (you must be able to get it cheaper).

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Cheers for the reply. I'll have a look to see if I can get a cheaper copy. I'm a Yorkshireman, that book's more than I spend on Holidays.

 

[JackE]

This: http://travellogireland.com/Cycling_Ireland_s_Canals.html covers both canals (and other useful touring advice). I lived near the Longford section of the Royal in my youth and remember it as an overgrown rubbish tip. The restoration has been miraculous.
Best wishes for the trip.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

cheers Jack. much appreciated.

 

[avsd]

This link might be useful. It is from the Audax Ireland web site and would get you out of Dublin on quiet roads.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2108680

There may be some other routes in the 2013 calendar here:
http://www.audaxireland.org/calendar/

 

[sintellinser]

I did something similar a couple of years ago. After arriving at Dun Laogharie I cycled out of Dublin via the Grand Canal, but soon found the gates annoying with loaded bike, so I continued on the road after a few miles. My first night I wild camped at Ballinagar, there were many opportunities to do so in the area. A shorter second day saw me finish at Ballinasloe, and I stopped at the Pillar House, good accommodation and a decent pint.

I cycled into Galway the next day, and there was a couple of campsites up the coast at Salthill, I stayed there for a few days doing shortish day rides up and down the coast. I met a few touring cyclists from Germany there and they had taken the train from Dublin to Westport, which is something I would consider doing if I were to visit again, the west coast scenery is much more dramatic than that of the midlands, hope this helps and have a good trip!