South Leinster Cycle Routes

Posts tagged ‘South Leinster Cycle Routes’

‘Cycling South Leinster, Great Road Routes’ Connecting us with the Past

Motorists tend to see roads as connections between Towns and Cities. I see them differently; I use them to avoid built up areas and use them to connect with our beautiful wilderness areas, our historic sites, our mountains, rivers and places of pilgrimage. The road less travelled is usually the best road to see and feel the real Ireland. My book, Cycling South Leinster will be published by Collins Press later this month. I will be extending an invitation to the launch to all who know me and read this blog!

Here are a few photos taken this evening around Aghowle on the East Carlow route; one of my favourite places.

Aghowle Sign Post

Aghowle Church

Aghowle Church and Cross

Aghowle Altar

Bike the Barrow

Bike the Barrow! Whether a grassy towpath or a Blueway I highly recommend the Barrow Track as one of Ireland’s most amazing cycle routes! The poster says it all – the grass towpath is Paradise on a bike or on foot!

bike-the-barrow

While looking for some other photos I came across this poster I made in 2013. Regardless of whether the Blueway proposal succeeds or fails I still recommend all to Bike the Barrow!

30 Routes 30 Photos

2016 was a strange year. A lot of depressing news from all over the World and it leaves us wondering what 2017 is going to bring!

But 2016 presented me with a great opportunity – writing the Cycling South Leinster Guide for Collins Press. 30 graded routes that show off many of the hidden gems of the region. I’ve always had it in my mind to take on a project like this and it was a real joy to head out exploring the back roads that provide some of the finest cycling terrain in the country.

Here is a random, sometimes quirky, selection of 30 photos each representing one of the routes. Enjoy and feel free to comment on any of them. If you would like more information please get in touch!

The Blackstairs Loop.

Wild horses emerging from the mist on the slopes of Mount Leinster. The Blackstairs Mountains from the border between Counties Carlow and Wexford.

Duncannon – Hook Head

John Delaney and Emma English St. Patrick's Day parade, Duncannon, County Wexford

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Duncannon, County Wexford is unique in that it takes place on the beach. FAI supremo John Delaney and Emma English led the parade down the village and onto beach every year. A beautiful day for a parade!

Arthur’s Way and beyond!

Oughterard Cemetery sits high above the Grand Canal near Ardclough, County Kildare. It’s a stunning setting where Arthur Guinness is its most famous resident!

Daniel O Connell famously shot and killed John D’Esterre in a duel fought over the treatment of the poor of Dublin in the field alongside, an act he later deeply regretted

Follow me back to Carlow

The River Barrow Track is one of the finest off-road cycle routes in the country. Currently there are plans to develop a Blueway that many fear may impact on the natural beauty of the route.

The Slieve Blooms

The Slieve Blooms are situated along the Laois – Offaly border and provide some of the finest cycling routes in the land.

It was a foggy morning cycling through ‘The Cut’, above Clonaslee.

Ollie Walsh Way

A rare sign on Irish roads, spotted in south Kilkenny!

As this route starts at the statue to Ollie Walsh in Thomastown, I thought it would be nice to name it in honour of the great Kilkenny goalkeeper.

I was reminded of cycling in Galicia while cycling in County Kilkenny by the number of large guard dogs / sheep dogs in farm yards across the county. It was unique to Kilkenny but I should say that none of them were loose or posed any threat to passing cyclists! Kilkenny surprised in other ways too – it was very hilly and possesses many unheralded heritage sites worth exploring.

The Three Sisters

Grannagh Castle is situated on the border of Kilkenny and Waterford on the outskirts of Waterford City. This was a delightful route incorporating the Thatched Villages of South Kilkenny and views of the Barrow, The Nore and the Suir.

North Kilkenny Cycle route

A punt for your thoughts!

This marked cycle route across north Kilkenny was well signposted and easy navigate. Like south Kilkenny, it has its fair share of hills!

Inistioge

Inistioge is one of Ireland’s prettiest villages and is a very popular destination for visitors. Terrific cycling along the side of the Nore and up into the surrounding hills.

Lots of interesting heritage sites on the route.

Bagenalstown – Drumphea – Altamont Loop

Ballyloughan Castle, County Carlow is a little gem off the beaten track that warrants a stopping off on this route. One of the best examples of a twin towered gate house in the country.

Paulstown – Castlecomer – Kilkenny City – Bennetsbridge

Kilkenny Castle is the most popular tourist attraction in the region and the grounds are magnificent. This was a really interesting mixed route which includes a visit to Dunmore Cave and the craft hub that is Bennetsbridge.

Dunbrody Route

Dunbrody Abbey, County Wexford

Starting at the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross, the route winds its way down to Ballyhack where we took the only ferry crossing in the south-east to Passage East followed by a short cycle to the Confluence of the Waters – the meeting point to the Barrow, Nore and Suir. On the way back we took in the road to the top of Slieve Coilltia.

Kilcullen to Blessington Lakes

Love this view back down to Blessington Lakes. This was taken from a side road above Lacken village. A wonderful add-on to this route.

Rebel River

In the Glen of Imaal, County Wicklow

Starting in Rathvilly, the route winds its way across north County Carlow and into the Glen of Imaal County Wicklow.

The river Slaney rises in the Glen of Imaal and travels round through Rathvilly. Rathvilly is closely associated with Kevin Barry while the Glen of Imaal is forever associated with the 1798 rebels, Michael Dwyer and Sam McAllister. Hence the Rebel River title!

On the Trail of the Saints

St Mullins Monastic Site, County Carlow.

The route begins in this historic and beautiful village deep in south Carlow and takes in Inistioge, Graiguenamangh and Borris.

Sallins Loop

An interesting route that takes in the two Canals – The Royal Canal and the Grand Canal, easy cycling!

Abbeyleix – Wolfhill Route

Cycling down from Wolfhill towards Ballyroan, County Laois

This was a lovely route with some nice climbing and some stunning scenery. Maaslough at Ballinakill is a sight in the Autumn when all the leaves are changing colours.

Ballitore to Glen of Imaal

Lugnaquilla from the Glen of Imaal, County Wicklow

From the Quaker village of Ballitore to the Glen of Imaal is a really pleasant route with great views and some gentle climbs.

Carlow Town Circuit

Just outside Carlow Town are the ancestral graves of Walt Disney’s family. A great circuit with a nice climb to the top of Rossmore.

Vicarstown Loop

Great cycling country on well surfaced back roads in the heart of County Laois.

The Bog of Allen Route

Alpacas near Clogherinka, County Kildare

A surprising sight near the Bog of Allen – Alpacas from South America! The Bog of Allen is a very ecologically important area – bogs are natural stores of greenhouse gases and carbon, store water, help to control flooding, provide a refuge for plants and animals and provide spectacular places for recreation.

Johnstown Castle – Kilmore Quay

Money doesn’t grown on tree but it seems everything else does!

The silver tree is a wonderful example of public art on the N30.

Tullow Loop

Taking a break from the warm sun at Ballintemple, near Ardattin, County Carlow.

Durrow Loop

Just finished this Loop out of Durrow returning by the River Arkina, a tributary of the Nore.

Nice spot for refreshments.

Bilboa and Back!

Cross on the Rag Tree at St. Molaise’s Well, Old Leighlin, County Carlow

Rag Trees are located at pilgrimage site around the country. People leave a piece of cloth, or an offering on the prayer tree. Very poignant and personal.

Goresbridge to Bennetsbridge

This was a favourite of mine, taking in a great climb above Skeaghvosteen and a visit to the Round Tower at Tullaherin.

The Hidden Sky Road

Near Tomduff, Seskin. This road along the north side of Sliabhbán has incredible views – seldom seen by anyone other than locals. Check it out!

This is a great short spin in the evening time, starting and finishing in Borris.

Castledermot Circuit

Moone High Cross Base

Many of us have driven up past Moone on the way to Dublin without ever seeing the incredible High Cross just outside the Village, Well worth visiting. This is one of the best examples of a decorated High Cross in the country. The engravings bring to life the stories from the Bible and are incredible works of art. Castledermot too has a number of really important crosses and sites to explore of a summer evening.

The Curragh Loop

The Round Tower in Kildare Town.

One of the shortest routes in this guide but certainly a unique Irish landscape worth an in-depth visit.

The road skirts the boundary of the famed open plain – often called Saint Brigid’s Pastures.

The flat pasture of nearly five thousand acres still retains the right of commonage for grazing sheep which supposedly originated with Brigid.

Around it’s edges are some important attractions deserving of a visit.

Timahoe Loop

The Rock of Dunamaise at evening time.

Another short-circuit which can be easily completed on a summer’s evening.

The views around the Windy Gap and the Rock of Dunamaise are breathtaking and never fail to excite at any time of the year.

These are a random sample of images from the 30 routes. The book will be published by Collins Press early in the new year. Book launch date to be confirmed but I will keep you posted!

Happy New Year too all and hope to see many more people out cycling on our beautiful country roads!

Patriot Path

Tuckmill

Lisnavagh House

Humewood Castle entrance

Heading towards the Glen of Imaal

Pedalling around the quiet north east corner of Carlow and into West Wicklow this morning I was intrigued by the fascinating history of local patriots and of the local big houses.
Rathvilly has always been proud of its connection with Kevin Barry who went to school in the village. His parents were from the Hacketstown area and Kevin was immortalised in ballad following his hanging in Mountjoy by British Forces during the War of Independence, following a gun battle on the streets of Dublin in which three British soldiers were killed – the first soldiers to be killed since 1916.
It wasn’t long before I passed the Moate and turned right down to Lisnavagh House, home of the Bunburys since the 1660’s. The house is situated on 600 acres with 200 hundred acres of beech, ash and oak – a beautiful setting. It’s home to Turtle Bunbury, historian and author. Lisnavagh is now a popular wedding venue and I had a great chat with the French visitors before I headed for Haroldstown Dolmen.
The Dolmen featured on the front cover of Robert Kee’s wonderful book A history of Ireland. It is very similar to the famous Poulnabrone Dolmen in Clare and just as important. Located beside a bad bend on the Hacketstown road. That road is too busy for my liking and I quickly slipped of it and across to Clonmore.
Another little village oozing history. Clonmore was a very significant monastic site and there are plenty of reminders of its past in the local graveyard and of course the imposing ruins of the Castle.
The sun was shining on a fine autumn morning and the leaves were turning from green to brown, yellow and gold as I pushed uphill to Hacketstown, home to Kevin Barry’s parents.

After leaving Hacketstown I headed for Kiltegan just over the border in County Wicklow where I hoped to cycle into Homewood Castle to have a look at the restoration of this amazing gothic mansion which was built by the Hume family who settled there in the 15th century. It’s now owned by American billionaire John C M,alone and is strictly off limits. A shame.

No time to linger, I pushed on to the sleepy sráidbhaile of Rathangan and began the climb up to the Glen of Imaal. This is a lovely area with terrific views of Keadeen Mountain and Lugnaquilla. The road winds between the two and the hard graft is rewarded with a great downhill as far as the well signposted McAllister – Dwyer Cottage.
Michael Dwyer was a member of the United Irishmen and fought in the battles of Vinegar Hill, Arklow and Hacketstown. He fought a guerrilla campaign in the region and was forced to move about and use local houses to rest up in. One such house was the one in Dernamuck where he was billeted with a few of his comrades.
Unfortunately for them, they were betrayed by an informer and the house was surrounded by British soldiers. After gaining safe passage for women and children they decided to fight it out against much superior forces. Antrim man Sam McAllister seeing the inevitable, stood in the doorway to draw the fire of the soldiers and Dwyer managed to escape over the snow covered mountains.
He eventually capitulated and negotiated passage to America. However he was instead transported to Australia and while there was sent to Van Diemens Land.
It stuck me that Barry and Dwyer were connected over the centuries of rebellion by the River Slaney which flows down from Lugnaquilla and beneath the cottage and onwards through Baltinglass (where there is a statue to McAllister) and to Rathvilly.

The scenery along this 65kms route is spectacular and would make a great day out for anyone looking for a nice route with plenty of scenery and history. The amount of interesting historical and heritage sites in our county and along it’s borders is incredible and there to be explored.