Ireland/Northern Ireland Tour

[iandg]

I have an opportunity for a 4-5 day (credit card) tour starting from and finishing at Enniskillen (My wife is organising/presenting at a conference so travel is paid for).

Plotted my first thoughts on google maps. It's probably a bit too long for the time available though. Although I am comfortable covering 70-80 miles/day and 65-70 miles a day would give more time to enjoy the craic. After an afternoon of playing with maps etc. I've now come up with another route idea visiting the same area/landmarks but slightly shorter http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3875925

Never been to Ireland so any comments welcome - such as suggestions relating to the route, points of interest, alternative route suggestions, accommodation (hostel/B&B), maps, guide books etc.
Ian

 

[furball]

I have an opportunity for a 4-5 day (credit card) tour starting from and finishing at Enniskillen (My wife is organising/presenting at a conference so travel is paid for).

Plotted my first thoughts on google maps. It's probably a bit too long for the time available though. Although I am comfortable covering 70-80 miles/day and 65-70 miles a day would give more time to enjoy the craic. After an afternoon of playing with maps etc. I've now come up with another route idea visiting the same area/landmarks but slightly shorter http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3875925

Never been to Ireland so any comments welcome - such as suggestions relating to the route, points of interest, alternative route suggestions, accommodation (hostel/B&B), maps, guide books etc.
Ian

When are you going? The Lough Foyle ferry runs from April to October. The problem with your second route is the Swilley ferry has been stopped due to lack of funding.

 

[iandg]

Thanks for this info, I'll be there early May (4th-8th) - so will be able to catch the first stage of the Giro too before I head home.

 

[thom]

Cycle NI have a useful site - long rides from/around Fermanagh : http://www.cycleni.com/fermanagh/long-routes/
If I were you I'd think of heading to the coast, either the North Coast - @furball is right about thinking of those ferries, or into Donegal or Sligo where the landscape is more spectacular but it is a bit more isolated.

There are also ideas on an Irish site, such as Enniskillen to Malin head which would be spectacular: http://cycleireland.ie/enniskillen-malin-head-cycle/
If you did this, you might indeed get a ferry across loch Foyle and then get an idea to pick up a route back from the NI site above

 

[summerdays]

Your current route takes you very close to the Beaghmore stone circles, which would be worth a diversion. And there are some published cycling routes through the Sperrins that might give some other ideas.

 

[redhanded]

For some reason, just about everyone I know who has visited Derry/Londonderry also goes to the small village of Muff in Donegal and has their photo taken by the sign into the village.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

There is an independent hostel on the outskirts of Donegal town which is excellent and very bike friendly. The Bushmills distillery tour is always interesting, and the restaurant was very good as well. Wait till the crowds have left (from the tour) to talk with the barman - he was very liberal with his measures when we were there! Glad we had walked from the campsite - would recommend it but you won't be needing it with B&B....

 

[iandg]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I've booked 3 nights accommodation Donnegal Town Independent Hostel Day 1, B&B at Corcreggan Day 2, and B&B at the Seaview Tavern Malin Head on Day 3.

A shortish first day (not starting until around lunchtime), then a couple of 80+ mile days (with options to shorten the route) and a long 100 mile last day (I'm not interested in getting back to the Hotel early as my wife will be partying with all the folk she's been working on a project with for the last 3 years - and I'm not invited)


http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4013544

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I've done some of those roads and they are very beautiful in places and Irish car drivers are so considerate and helpful. (Just the coach drivers of tour busses that can be an issue). You should enjoy it!

 

[toekneep]

We toured from NI across to Westport in Southern Ireland and then back around the coast to Belfast a couple years ago. The thing that really impressed us were the independent hostels. We planned to camp every night but kept finding campsites closed in mid September to ended up hostelling. Would recommend the hostels especially if you are travelling on your own. The other thing is the super friendliness of the people in both North and Southern Ireland. Enjoy yourself.