Transatlantic Way _ Ireland

[classic33]

Get to Shannon and you have the choice of going North or South.
Check with Tiernan Cycles, Ennis(near the Cathedral). But bear in mind that the West Coast has a number of festivals in the summer months. Progress may be slow depending on wether you want to see and take in some of them.

The Irish midges are just like their Scottish cousins. Solution is to let someone else use the midge repellant.

The Kingdom is Green & Gold, The Banner Blue & Gold. Galway, Maroon & White.

 

[Aravis]

In western Ireland I can remember being troubled by midges twice, which is well under 10% of the time. So on that evidence, less prevalent than in Scotland but not to be underestimated.

On one of those occasions I did inadvertantly stumble on a solution. After being stung by a wasp I could no longer feel the midges. On balance, I think it was probably worth it.

 

[ColinJ]

Avon So Soft for the midges?

 

[tyred]

You definitely can have problems with midges, especially in the evenings anywhere near peatbogs or water.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

The Hurricane force winds will keep the midges away. You will be fine.

 

[booze and cake]

I might be going in June and have never been before so this thread was very handy. Have fun @steveindenmark

I'm not on a cycling holiday but am hoping to sneak off and do some cycling on a few days in various locations from Wexford/Waterford, on to bits of Kerry and around Castleisland where my Gran was from.

I've read through some of @tyred 's blog which was excellent, thanks, and plan to work my way through more for some other sights to see and other tips. I'll be road biking so its looking like a compact chainset is in order, and I hope to find a happy balance somewhere in between the busy main roads and gravel tracks options. Some of the pics are already making me excited, it looks great cycling country.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

There is the new Greenway at Waterford which might be worth an explore

 

[Hedgemonkey]

I can thoroughly recommend the hostel in Malin Beg. Once you're heading up around Donegal.

 

[classic33]

Click on the Ireland tag at the top of the page for previous ideas posted.

@steveindenmark, assuming you do fly into Dublin, how will you be crossing the country?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Train Dublin -> Cork is easy enough and they have guards vans. For Derry you need to take a train via Belfast.

 

[tyred]

Other hostels worth a stay if you're anywhere nearby would be Tra na Rosann in the extreme north of Donegal - a beautiful setting and a very historic and unique building design by Sir Edwin Lutyens (it's only open in the summer months nowadays), The Doey Hostel in Glencolumbkille, a weird building set into a hillside and run by a chain-smoking, whiskey drinking octogenarian called Mary who is absolutely hilarious and one of life's characters, the Surf-n-stay hostel in Strandhill near Sligo and also the Kilcommen Lodge in Pullathomas in deepest Mayo - a peaceful, well kept and well-run place in supposedly Ireland's most remote village and surrounded by beautiful scenery.

There is also the Valley Hostel on Achill Island - an Edwardian timewarp with the convenience of having it's own bar and I also liked the Grapevine Hostel in Dingle.

 

[Randomnerd]

If you've got a month free, there's a 16 day sportif in September. I think it's around €3k.
I'd recommend Dingle peninsula - Conor Pass is bloody scary in a car let alone on a push bike.

 

[Heigue'r]

Conor pass is fantastic,the peak is 35 miles from my door at home in Ireland,unfortunetly it was a bit foggy the day I went up.

 

[classic33]

Train Dublin -> Cork is easy enough and they have guards vans. For Derry you need to take a train via Belfast.

Or as mentioned by @tyred, Bus Eireann. But it's extra cost either method.
To start at Kerry, it's the service, train, that runs through Limerick Junction, not the one to Limerick, or 134 mile cycle down.

 

[tyred]

Dublin to Derry by bus would probably be easier, quicker and cheaper than by train as it is not a direct service, the train uses a roundabout route and is not a fast service between Belfast and Derry.

However, the if going there, take the train to Belfast and cycle the coast road to Derry. It's pretty amazing although you'll need your lowest possible gearing around Torr Head and Ballycastle. The climbs are relentless.

I remember once riding on the easier inland route from Cushendall to Ballycastle, and at the top of the long drag out of Cushendall and then downhill from there to Ballycastle, and an Escorts Van passed me as I crested the climb and I was able to keep that Escort in sight for the 12 mile descent along the main road into Ballycastle. It is probably the fastest 12 cycle journey I have ever completed