Ireland 2005
by Bob Smith

Dublin & Cycling from Sligo to Downpatrick

Dublin - Days 1 & 2


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We arrived in ublin on the morning or May 5, 2005.
Burlington Hotel in Dublin.

Sligo - Radisson SAS Hotel - Days 3 & 4


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Day 3: The group will meet in the afternoon at our accommodation in Sligo . Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring will provide a transfer for bicycles/ boxes from Dublin Airport to Sligo, leaving Dublin Airport around noon . If there is a demand, it will also be possible to arrange a transfer for riders. Cost would depend upon numbers. It would make sense to time this to coincide with the bike transfer – ie leaving Dublin Airport at noon . On arrival in Sligo, bikes would be unboxed and boxes would be transferred to Belfast that evening. Riders renting bicycles from Iron Donkey would be equipped. Introductions and briefing before dinner by our tour director, Tony Boyd of IDBT. (D)

Day 4: Today's warm up ride is a loop route, taking in some wonderful scenery as it visits in turn Strandhill, Lough Gill, Dromahair, Parkes Castle, and Glencar Lake. Lunch stop is at Dromahair. Dinner this evening is on your own. There are several pubs and restaurants in Rosses Point (apart from the hotel), or you may prefer to go into the city of Sligo itself. Sligo has plenty of good pubs and restaurants. (B)

Belleck - The Hotel Carlton - Day 5


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We ride north from Rosses Point , alternating between coastal and rural riding. First stop is Drumcliffe, the village where WB Yeats is buried. We then cut inland towards the impressive profile of Ben Bulben, Ireland 's Table Top mountain and the source of many legends. There is a glorious (optional) extension route, known as the Horseshoe Loop on its slopes. From here it is a fast downhill run to the coast at Mullaghmore for lunch. The afternoon run takes us inland again, around the shores of Lough Macnean to our accommodation in the village of Belleek , home to the world-famous Belleek Pottery. Depending upon arrival time, you can visit the pottery in the afternoon, or alternatively the following morning. (BD)

Ardara - Nesbitt Arms Hotel - Day 6 & 7


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Day 6: We ride west along the River Erne to the town of Ballyshannon , and then follow the spectacular Atlantic coastline north to the beaches at Rossnowlagh. Donegal town is the next stop. Here, besides getting lunch, you can visit Donegal Castle , the Craft Market, and perhaps pick up a few souvenirs. For those with lots of energy, there is an optional (somewhat undulating) circuit of Lough Eske. Leaving Donegal, we follow the shores of Donegal Bay west to Inver from where is then a gradual climb and descent to the coastal village of Ardara . The village is particularly known for its tweeds and knitwear. (BD)

Day 7 : Today's run, besides being one of the most spectacular of the trip, is also one of the toughest. The route is a a 50-mile loop with several climbs, including the steep Glengesh Pass. There is another strenuous climb to view the impressive sea cliffs at Slieve League. There are options to shorten the route, although it would be a shame to miss out on any of the wonderful scenery! An early start will be the order of the day. Lunch is at the Glencolmcille Folk Museum . On the way back to Ardara you can visit the sea caves at Maghera as you follow the shoreline of Loughros Bay. (B)

Ballybofey - Kee's Hotel - Day 8


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Leaving Ardara, we first explore the wonderful, highly indented coastline around Portnoo en route which takes us to our lunch stop in the village of Glenties . From here there is a gradual climb on a traffic free road into the lovely Blue Stack Mountains . The climb is amply rewarded with a great descent to the east to the Finn River , which we follow as it leads us to the twin towns of Stranorlar and Ballybofey. (BD)

Derry - The City Hotel - Day 9


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The route that would take us north, following the shores of Lough Foyle, to the historic walled city of Derry ( Londonderry ). The last six miles is on a purpose built cycle path which hugs the coast. We would arrive in the city around lunchtime, leaving the rest of the afternoon to explore the many sites of interest on foot. These include the walls, cathedral, museum, art gallery and craft village. Derry is a very lively city – particularly at the weekends! (BD)

Draperstown - The Derrynoid Centre - Day 10


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We ride south east from Derry through the Sperrins, a beautiful range of hills that virtually cut the province of Ulster into two. In days gone by, this was Ulster 's gold country. There are beautiful river valleys cutting through the terrain – and the region is very unspoiled. The village of Gortin , which gives a real feel for a typical mid-Ulster town, provides a good lunch stop in the form of a good friendly pub. Our destination for the night is the old linen town of Draperstown . (BD)

Aghadowey - Brown Trout Inn - Day 11


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We first head east through very pleasant countryside, passing through the village of Maghera on the way to meet the River Bann at Kilrea. This is the obvious lunch stop. From here we follow the River Bann north through lush farmland, recrossing the river again by the bridge at Bendooragh. Our accommodation in Aghadowey has a nine hole golf course, so if you have the energy and inclination, you will be able to claim that you have golfed in Ireland. (B)

Bushmills (Giant's Causeway) - The Causeway Hotel - Days 12 & 13


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Day 12: Leaving Aghadowey, quiet backroads take us to Coleraine, a bustling market town situated at the mouth of the River Bann. On the way we pass Mountsandel, the oldest known inhabited site in Ireland . Crossing the river, we follow a Sustrans (National Cycle Network) route to Downhill, location of the Bishops Palace and the clifftop Mussenden Temple . We retrace out route to Coleraine and pick up another Sustrans trail that takes us through the resorts of Portstewart and Portrush and on to the village of Bushmills , close to the Giant's Causeway. (BD)

Day 13: Today is a “free” day, in that there is no fixed route. There are so many attractions packed into this area that the best option is to let you know what and where they are and to let you get on with things, visiting and spending time at the sites that particularly interest you. The main attractions (in no particular order) are the Giant's Causeway ( Ireland 's only World Heritage Site), Old Bushmills Distillery (the world's oldest licensed distillery), Dunluce Castle , and the famous rope bride at Carrick-a-Rede. For anyone who particularly wants a long ride, it can be provided! There are several options for dinner (for which you are on your own) in and around Bushmills. (B)

Carnlough - Londonderry Arms Hotel - Day 14


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We ride east along the spectacular Causeway Coast to the resort town of Ballycastle . From here you can follow one of two routes through the Glens of Antrim (depending upon your preference) to the pretty village of Cushendun , designed by Clough William-Ellis. Both routes are spectacular – one has gentle gradients while the other has a couple of climbs that can only be described as severe!! After lunch in Cushendun, we follow the coast south through Cushendall and Waterfoot to our accommodation in Carnlough. (B)

Belfast - Jury's Inn - Day 15


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We follow the very beautiful Antrim Coast Road south from Carnlough, with great views over to the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland, through a string of coastal villages to the port of Larne, which we will reach around lunchtime Here there are again two options. The first is to take a train 20 miles into Belfast . This option will be the preferred one for those wishing to spend an afternoon touring the city – perhaps on a “black taxi” tour. For those who may have less interest in the attractions of the city, they can continue the ride (in increasing traffic) along the coast to Carrickfergus (there is a magnificent and complete Norman Castle here) and on into Belfast along the shores of Belfast Lough. The last 5 miles are along a purpose built cycle path. Belfast 's lively pub and club scene can provide your entertainment in the evening.. (B)

Downpatrick - The Mill at Ballydugan - Day 16


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From Belfast we follow the Sustrans Cycle Path alongside the River Lagan as far as Lisburn where we veer away to the village of Hillsborough . Hillsboough Castle is the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland . East from Hillsborough is Saintfield, and a welcome lunch stop. After lunch you can visit Rowallane, one of the North's best gardens, owned by the National Trust. From here we head south to the town of Downpatrick , passing Inch Abbey. Besides the grave of Ireland 's patron saint, you can also visit the St Patrick's Centre. Bike boxes will be waiting for you at your accommodation. Farewell dinner. (BD)

Dublin Airport - Day 17


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Coach transfer to Dublin Airport early in the morning.Estimated time of arrival at Dublin airport 9.30am

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