As we can’t meet in person, we have set up a number of Social Media accounts to campaign for #TheRedRouteCycleway to make the local population aware of this unique opportunity to bring the proposed Greenway to South Galway.
If you want to have a world-class Greenway passing through your community and providing life-changing opportunities for future generations, you need to have your say, click on this link and fill in the form!
Members have been contributing their favourite places and have shared some absolutely stunning images! The Slieve Aughty or the Slieve Aughty Mountains, the mountain range that I can just about see from our bedroom window, is a vastly unexplored, diverse and so scenic area. Sharing just a few images that really made me want to put on my hiking boots! To add your support for #RedRouteCycleway, click on this link and fill in the form!
To add your support for the #RedRouteCycleway, click on this link and fill in the form!
The #RedRouteCycleway on Instagram
As we have so many stunning images, it really makes sense to also be on Instagram – and it’s a good exercise on my part to get my head around the various formats, as each platform has its own measurements! You can find us here https://www.instagram.com/redroute5
We have been featuring some businesses in #Kinvara and #Ballinderreen that have the official brochures to give feedback, as not everybody is on Social Media and may not be aware that the consultation process ends March 1st!
CostCutter Kinvara
Sorrento Ballinderreen
EuroSpar Kinvara
Healing Harvest Kinvara
Kinvara Pharmacy
ZenKinvara Kinvara
Alternatively, To add your support for #RedRouteCycleway, click on this link and fill in the form!
Public Open Information Session #RedRouteCycleWay Wednesday 17th of February
Click on the below image to get to the Facebook event with the Zoom Details – all are welcome!
Open Public Consultation via Zoom, Wednesday 17th of February 8 – 9 PM
The Radio Interview #RedRouteCycleway with Kinvara Community Radio
Grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee and listen to this interview by Kinvara Community Radio, where David Murray and Councillor Joe Byrne are being interviewed about the proposed #RedRoutecycleway – great interview! Thanks for sharing!
Just over 2 weeks ago, I reported an incident of dangerous driving to Traffic Watch. I was overtaken by a truck on a busy, narrow road, with a solid white line with oncoming traffic. I am a member of Galway Cycling, and they gave me the telephone number of Traffic Watch to contact to report the incident.
So where can you report Dangerous driving? Members of the public can call Traffic Watch lo-call number 1890 205 805 to report aggressive driver behaviour, driving hazards and traffic-related incidents. Calls are answered and logged by civilian personnel at the Garda Information Services Centre, Castlebar. The reported incident is then forwarded to the relevant Garda Station for investigation. More info here. I recommend you ring as soon as possible to keep the memory fresh. Having footage will be very helpful. I wrote about it here.
Any update?
As I hadn’t heard since I reported the incident, I contacted the Garda Station in Galway City, who put me in contact with the Garda station in Loughrea. Just today the investigating Garda was in contact, and I am now awaiting for a written statement to be taken in a few days time…
Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 m campaign
Once I published my blog post, I got a message from Phil Skelton. I had seen the 1.5 M signs on the Facebook page from WexBug, but didn’t know the finer details. Turns out it was Phil Skelton ( Phil if you are reading this, thank you so much!!) that spearheaded the Irish campaign for cyclist specific minimum passing distance legislation, it was called the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign. Phil has now moved into the role of Chair of WexBUG.
Phil tells me that the sign you see on our WexBUG social media are not just for Wexford, they are an agreed Irish road sign now.
In a nutshell, Phil started this campaign following a close pass not too dissimilar to what just happened to me. He started a National campaign in 2014.
The key aims of the campaign were:
1. to change the rules of the road where a minimum passing distance would be included – this happened in 2017
2. To roll out a RSA specific campaign.
3.The ad that you see now on TV is a direct result of my lobbying
4. To change the then ambiguous dangerous overtaking law – this was changed via secondary legislation to a cyclist specific one in 2019 with increased penalties following direct lobbying.
5. The rollout of funded road signage throughout Ireland – this is what you are seeing now in many counties. So rather than us at WexBUG convincing Wexford Co Co to erect signage, this has come from the Dept Transport. To be clear, WexBUG did not need to engage local councillors in this process. The council themselves applied for funding when to opportunity was announced and are now towards the finish in rolling them out.
And what is the situation in Galway County Council?
Galway County Council seems to have missed out on the vital step to apply for funding. Every local authority except Kilkenny and Galway applied for funding for these and many are now in the process of erecting the signage. Covid 19 meant that there was a delay. Why didn’t Galway Co. Co. apply for signs? Has money been “ringfenced for these signs? I would love to hear the answer. Below is an overview of all the Counties that applied for funding for these signs via circular RST 04 2019.
Since the pandemic, so many people are out walking and cycling on rural roads, but there is no provision to alert drivers that the road is shared ánd to remind them to reduce speed. Dangerous driving is a real issue. This is another sign we should get on those roads where it is known people are walking and cycling.
And last but not least, there is the whole initiative of Love30, check out their website here. Check out the submission by Galway Cycling Campaign to bring down speed limits ( for now with limited success.) I’d like to start a debate on the 80 km speed on country roads, how can a country road be safe if the speed limit is 80 km?
How can you help?
I asked Phil for further info on how to go about identifying what roads are eligible and to suggest locations for the signs. He shared recommendations following a zoom chat with the Local Authority Road Safety Officer group in early October last year (He was not sure if Galway Co Co were in attendance) These were the recommendations that he made to them on that subject:
This first one is a link to some cycling routes from Sport Ireland. There will be other cycling routes in your counties too. This is where I would start with safe overtaking signage. https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/cycling-on-road/trails (This is a strange one, it seems there is only one trail in Clifden? )
This next link is to the Strava heat map. This is an app used mainly by leisure and sports riders and will give a good overview of roads in your local authority area that are used by these riders. https://www.strava.com/heatmap#7.00/-120.90000/38.36000/hot/ride
This link is from the RSA’s cyclist collision data 2005-2016. This will help to identify particular problematic areas. https://www.google.com/mymaps/viewer?mid=1PpqLW_G84YQc26WQ1fFMFifHNfAz3fys&hl=en_GB (This really shows the overview of minor, major and fatalities on roads in South Galway – I had a quick look, and it looks like the R380 from Gort to Loughrea has at least one fatality on the Gort Side and a few other incidents and 1 fatality towards Loughrea…
Lastly, please engage with local cycling advocacy groups or/and cycling clubs for further location suggestions.
I am looking for people to help me to research the above and request input from Galway Co. Co to make our road safer. Please contact me here.
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails to find out about #GortCycleTrails #SafeCycletrails and sign up here to get updates on when I’ll be setting up a community cycle from Woodford to Flagmount later in the summer( when restrictions are eased hopefully). These are the loops I have mapped so far.
Have you ever been in a situation where you witnessed or underwent a situation of dangerous driving? Do you know where to report an incident of dangerous driving? Keep on reading and I’ll tell you! Until last Friday, I had no idea where to report incidents of dangerous driving.
So what happened?
On my cycle last Friday, I took a left onto the Gort-Loughrea Road in the direction of CastleDaly. It’s a windy, narrow road, and mostly no hard shoulder( or if there is some kind of a notion of a hard shoulder, it’s overgrown or there is debris on it). A truck overtook me at a high speed, without making any attempt to give me space, with oncoming traffic and continued to drive at high speed. A clear case of dangerous driving. It all went extremely fast, so at the time I didn’t have much time to think. It was only when I almost felt the truck I realized this was a matter of life and death. I really believe if I had made any wrong move as the truck overtook me, I would not be here to tell the tale.
Where to report Dangerous Driving?
Members of the public can call Traffic Watch lo-call number 1890 205 805 NEW NUMBER 0818 205 805 to report aggressive driver behaviour, driving hazards and traffic-related incidents. Calls are answered and logged by civilian personnel at the Garda Information Services Centre, Castlebar. The reported incident is then forwarded to the relevant Garda Station for investigation. More info here. I recommend you ring as soon as possible to keep the memory fresh. Having footage will be very helpful.
I didn’t know about the above, however, my colleagues at Galway Cycling Campaign did, and they encouraged me to report. Reporting is essential to make roads safer in South Galway. There are very few reports made to the Garda in South Galway, as people don’t have proof, or can’t remember the vehicle/license plate.
I was testing out how to use a GoPro, so I have video footage. It was only when I got home, I had an opportunity to see what really happened, and see how so very close that truck was… and how lucky I am to tell this scary tale. I am now awaiting a call back from the relevant Garda Station, who will then issue a pulse number and investigate the case. ( I will share the footage once it has been investigated). Update 22/09 – Driver was convicted – License suspended for 4 years. Well, it then got appealed and conviction was reduced to “Careless Driving” , 5 penalty points and fine of 500 Euros( I am about to write up the second Court Case)
Traffic Signs
There are no signs on this stretch of road to remind other road users to keep their distance from cyclists. ( Image by WEXBug , a community group in Wexford with people from all walks of life striving to make Co. Wexford a better and safer place for people to cycle.) They have been successful in getting signs like these erected, so I am encouraged the same can be achieved in South Galway.
I think we need to get signs like these on busier roads such as the Gort to Loughrea Road.
1.5 m Meter Distance
Since the pandemic, so many people are out walking and cycling on rural roads, but there is no provision to alert drivers that the road is shared ánd to remind them to reduce speed. Dangerous driving is a real issue. This is another sign we should get on those roads where it is known people are walking and cycling.
And last but not least, there is the whole initiative of Love30, check out their website here. Check out the submission by Galway Cycling Campaign to bring down speed limits ( for now with limited success.) I’d like to start a debate on the 80 km speed on country roads, how can a country road be safe if the speed limit is 80 km?
How can you help?
If you are out walking and cycling, and cars /trucks are flying past without regard for other road users ( after all they can do up to 80 km ), contact your local councillor and ask for their help to get any of the above traffic signs. It’s time we start having a voice before someone ends up in statistic because of dangerous driving.
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails to find out about #GortCycleTrails #SafeCycletrails and sign up here to get updates on when I’ll be setting up community cycles and learn to cycle classes for children and refresher courses for adults. These are the loops I have mapped so far.
With another lockdown confirmed late in December, I decided on January 1st to do #100DaysofCycling and #100DaysOfWalking to stay active! I am at #Day31 today, and walked part of the #GortRiverWalk – It was bitterly cold! So far I haven’t missed a day! Join the Gort Cycle Trails Group on FB, Twitter or Instagram to see my daily posts!
Visit to #GortRiverWalk on #Day31 of staying active
Shortly after starting, I Joined the Galway Sports Partnership Initiative to #KeepWell and #StayActive and exercise 100 km in 6 weeks. I am heading up the Gort/Peterswell Group with about 30 of us, and we stay in touch via Whatsapp. I really wish we could meet as there are still so many places I’d like to explore with people that know their neighbourhood. I made this video at the start!
There are some very active members who have clocked up over 300 km in 3 weeks!! It’s on days like this if someone posts a picture that motivates you to get out.. Once you are out, you glad you did .. just getting out of that warm bed/house can be challenging.. You can still join here – there are a few taster sessions coming up for Tai Chi, Yoga, Mindfulness, healthy eating. I had not bought into the “Exercise-via-Zoom” in previous lockdowns, so I was rather pleased taking part in taster sessions of Yoga and Tai Chi. Yes, I would recommend it and think of taking up Tai Chi.
Gort’s Mini- Greenway & Proposed Red Route 5 Cycle Way
Gort’s Mini-Greenway
About 2 years ago, I wrote an article about a newly discovered route I called the Gort’s Mini-Greenway, connecting Gort Town to Coole Park via a safe Cycle /Walking route. Since that Cycle, I have done a lot more exploring, and have started to document a number of cycle Trails and loops and set up a Facebook Group called Gort Cycle trails – come and say hello.
Check out this video by Councillor PJ Murphy who has done trojan work with the Kilchreest/CastleDaly Community Develop who brought the proposal to the Project team! Thanks for sharing this fantastic video!
David Murray wrote a very interesting, in-depth article about what a Greenway is and what it can mean to a local, rural economy, check out the article here. I particularly love this image!
Back in March I wrote a very similar post just as we started Lockdown. We are now “almost” halfway our 6 weeks of “Level 5” restrictions, and I thought it was time to update the list of local businesses offering (local) Delivery and Take Away in the #BurrenLowlands. I have also added Kilcolgan and Clarinbridge as they are bordering with the Burren Lowlands 🙂
As we are now fast approaching Christmas I have also added a list of companies selling gifts you can buy locally via their online stores. Compiling the list made me realize that there are a few new businesses that have started since the first lockdown, so those deserve an extra special shout out! Sadly other businesses did not reopen, hopefully, they will reopen once conditions improve
Where to shop in the #burrenlowlands ?
You have probably done some shopping and are preparing to go shopping again soon (if you are lucky enough to have transport). If you prefer to have your shopping/food/gifts delivered, I have made a handy list to help you plan your shopping. Please share it with someone who may not have access to social media and that are looking for information.
Many businesses in South Galway and North Clare are offering take-away/collection or home delivery services, please always check when you are placing your order, as things can change. Below info is accurate as of the 27th of November.
Image that says what is for dinner?
Want to get added or know a business? Click on the contact button I will add you to the below list.
Take Away Food and Drinks ( Pick up, Delivery within 5 kms) Keoghs Kinvara call 091-638481
Pizza and other Italian dishes( Pick up only) Tide’s Full in 091-638468
Take Away for coffee lovers, locally sourced food, Gift baskets and much more – Siar or call +353 91 638 108
Take Away Asian Food ( Pick up only), ZenKinvara, Call +353 91 638 826 or 0872133390 between 2 PM and 11 PM ( NEW businesses)
Kebabs, Burgers, Fish & Chips and Pizza Take- Away Sorrentos call (091) 373 170
Take out coffee, cake, sandwiches, meat & cheese boxes and hot food. Open from 11 am to 9 pm Fri & Sat and from 11 am to 7 pm on a Sunday. – Graze Cafe and Wine Bar Call 091-637760 ( NEW business)
Health Food Store – Healing Harvest – call 091 637176 to place your order and arrange collection
Collection only – Sea Food Restaurant Ajla ( by Poppyseed) is open from 5pm in Clarinbridge – at The Bridge Centre above the cafe call 091 485 413 or mobile 086 786 9875 (NEW business)
Mobile Van Units/organized collection points
Variety of gourmet burgers, goujons and loaded fries!! – Emma Jane’s, call 087 2890014 to place our order
For Sushi Lovers – Sushi Station Galway Facebook page or call/ text +353 85 855 7806
Cheese grazing platters to cheese lovers and foodies Mad Hatters Cheese Platters message via Facebook or text +353 87 968 8468
Vegan Birthday Cakes/Cup Cakes and more – VeganEra Facebook page or call/text +353 87 637 7619
Self-care items, everything from essential oils, bath bombs, soap etc and everything else in between – Gifted With Kindness Instagram and Facebook (NEW Business)
Kinvara Creations is a group of local crafters selling unique gifts and decorations. 15% of sales will be donated to Kinvara Alive, a charity promoting mental health. Please remember the importance of shopping local in these difficult times.
Woven & woollen products & accessories, weaving courses and much more – Irish Fibre Crafters
Social Enterprise selling handmade Christmas decorations and table pieces – Check Hidden Gem Facebook page call Call 091 630547 between 9am and 4.30pm to place your order
We are a group of students in Seamount Kinvara. For our mini-business, we came up with the idea to upcycle pallets. Our initial products of four and six-foot LED-lit Christmas trees are available for purchase from now until Christmas. Check their Facebook page here (New business)
Wedding Photography, Family Portraits & Vouchers MVphoto.ie or call 087-74009361
RemoteBiofield Tuning is energy medicine that works as well remotely using tuning forks. You can get help for physical or non-physical ailments and also be helped to move forward so you have a rich fulfilling life. Many testimonials and tuning with personal numerology is a great gift for Christmas! RemoteBiofieldTuning Call Jackie on 0834117498
The BurrenLowlands are in the process of creating an App for the Region of the Burren Lowlands, contact Laura@burrenlowlands.org to find out more how to get added!
Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, or just want to treat yourself? What fragrance to choose from the Burren Perfumery ? Oh the choices .. 7 fragrances to choose from in the range from The Burren Perfumery….
At 30 Euros, you are getting a wonderful box with 7 vials of The Burren Perfumery fragrances, each 5 ml, for you to try and smell nice and then make up your mind which one is your favourite! Very prompt dispatch meant my order arrived next day, and I could start trying each fragrance.
My favourite fragrance of the Burren Perfurmery?
After having tried them all, my favourite Burren Perfumery fragrance is the Man of Aran I loved it! Although you may think this is a perfume for men, it is a fragrance for men and women. A modern fresh sea cologne with a citrus top note and woody base notes of the mosses, lichens and barks of the Burren. So I placed a second order, just in time for father’s day, which is celebrated in Ireland on the 3rd Sunday in June. I still have my tester, and love the way my husband smells every day 😎
Any deals at the Burren Perfumery ?
Best to check on their website or why not subscribe to their newsletter at the bottom of their page and get 10% off your first order. You can also join their affiliate program where you and your friend can earn 5 Euros on their order. I have joined their affiliate program, so if you click on any of the links, follow the instructions and get 5 Euro off. I’ll also get 5 Euros so I can invest in my next purchase – I am looking at their creams and soaps at the moment.. Can’t wait to try them:)
I wrote an article with local businesses offering local pick-up or delivery in the #burrenlowlands ! I am about to update the article with more businesses, if you would like to get included ( or know of a business that should be on this list), please contact me here.
Welcome to my blog! Today’s blog post is a very long blog post about the Adrahan Milestones, Drumharsna Castle Looped Cycle Trail. If you are looking for a 17 Kms beautiful heritage looped country cycle around Ardrahan where you will come across Old Irish Mile Stones, visit Drumharsna Castle, keep reading!
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled this trail, what you thought about it, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
Celebrating #Bikeweek in Ireland
Back in September when it was #Bikeweek in Ireland, the Ardrahan Heritage Group organized an event called the Ardrahan Milestones Bike Ride. Go check out their Facebook page here and give it a like! I have added out basic facts, a detailed route description of the Ardrahan Milestones, Drumharsna Castle looped Cycle Trail and you’ll see a visual of the route. ( and my usual tips when heading for a cycle)
Image of Old Irish Mile Stone, Drumharsna Castle and people cycling
Before you head off on the looped Ardrahan Milestones and Drumharsna Castle looped Cycle Trail
As always, please make sure you are visible, by wearing a yellow vest and switch on your bike lights (even in broad daylight) and wear a helmet. I know, in a perfect world neither should be needed. Until there are better bike infrastructures, I err on being careful and do whatever I can to be seen. Let someone know where you are heading, charge your mobile, bring a snack and something to drink. You can stock up on essentials in the petrol station at Labane. ( I would strongly recommend you invest in a flask to prepare tea or coffee and some kind of Bike panniers, you can thank me later!). Don’t forget to apply suntan lotion and wear sunglasses.. ( end of mummy talk):)
Basic facts about the looped Ardrahan Milestones and Drumharsna Castle looped Cycle Trail
Length: Approximately 17 Km
Bridges to cross: 5(!)
Castles on the route : 1
Visual Map of the Ardrahan Milestones, Drumharsna Castle looped Cycle Trail
Route description from Labane to first Bridge – looped cycle
Set off from Labane Hall aka as Loughnane Quinn Memorial Hall ( more about that building here), into the direction of Galway.
If you recognize yourself, please comment at the very bottom of the blog:)
Group of Cyclists
This road used to be the main road connecting Galway to Gort. It is now a secondary road, the R 458. It also used to be a super busy road. Since the completion of the Motorway, it is now a very quiet road, perfect for cycling. There are markings on the ground for an (attempt) at a cycle path just past the petrol Station for a short while when the cycle path merges into the hard shoulder and then re-emerges a little later.
Start of Bike Lane At Labane
If you are interested to cycle the Sean Bingham Mausoleum cycle loop, take a right at the cemetery. Route Description here. The cycle from Labane to Ardrahan is easy, with a slight climb as you approach Ardrahan.
Continuation of the Bike Lane End of Bike Lane just before Ardrahan
I am told they are going to fix the signs:) you know who you are:)
Welcome Stone to Adrahan
For the Adrahan Milestones and Drumharsna Looped Cycle trail, cycle through Ardrahan and call into Irish Fiber Crafters on your left if they are open.
Front of irish Fibre Crafters Ardrahan
You can also take a left in Ardrahan into the Kinvara direction, however, you‘ll then miss a few of the Milestones and 2 bridges( maybe that’s not so bad:) ) Take a right in the village if you would like to cycle the Mausoleum cycle.
As you exit the village of Adrahan, you will see the Protestant church on your left, built in 1809.
Church of Ireland- Adrahan
Check out the history of Ardrahan here. . On the right, remains of the Ardrahan castle – dating back to the 13th century. …
Next, you’ll cross the railway line, the Ardrahan Railway Station in the background (read this article with reference to the Ardrahan Railway station here). There is a good hard shoulder you can cycle on. All the land on the left is protected land and is one of the many special areas of conservation in this area.
After a few kilometers, you will see the first bridge that crosses the Motorway. The Motorway was opened in 2010, check out this article I wrote then. Prior to the Motorway, South Galway had very few bridges. When constructions started for the Motorway, a number of bridges were built. At the time the construction company made a number of videos of rock breaking the bedrock with dynamite, I found it quite fascinating how the bedrock crumbles. Check it out here. It’s worth to have a little stop on top of the bridge to enjoy the view, a view you usually don’t really get to appreciate if you are in the car on your commute into Galway.
Kiltiernan National School to Bridge Number 2
Cycling down the bridge, you’ll pass Kiltiernan NS and you are now getting closer to Kilcolgan. As you are cycling down the bridge take the first road on the left.
Cycling down the first bridge:)
It was only when we were doing the trial cycle I cycled on this road! A new discovery! This road is the original “old Galway” road, check out this flyer created by the Ardahan Heritage Group.This is a busy road, and caution is recommended , especially if you are cycling in group. Traffic signs to go slow would do well here, it’s a bit of a race track at the moment.
Group of Cyclists on the Old Galway Road
It is on this road you’ll find a number of Old Irish Milestones. Michael Helly from the Ardahan Heritage Group recorded this video about some of the history of the Old Irish Milestones. There is still a lot we don’t know 🙂
Michael Helly explaining about Old Irish Miles in Ardrahan
It’s a straight,narrow road, and before you know you are climbing the second bridge over the motorway. When we cycled there were horses at both ends of the bridge , it was a joy to see them gallop! Also here the view on the top of the bridge is worth stopping for. The downward cycle is great and before you know you are in Owen bristy, meaning ….Broken Road.
Owen Bristy to Bridge Nr 3
We were very fortunate to have a few local archaeologists on the cycle, who were involved in the archaeological excavations that took place in and around this area when the motorway was being built. I’ll have to write another article on what was found during those digs and what it all means! More to follow:)
You’ll see an area of water on the left-hand side, which used to be a watering hole. This is what Michael Helly has to say about the watering holes.
Continue your cycle and keep your eyes on the landscape to the left. You’ll see a bit of mound, which actually is one of the best-preserved Ringforts. Another Article to follow with Drone footage. Cycle to the top, and you’ll see these signs.
Ardrahan Heritage Group is never idle, and is always keeping Adrahan tidy, including this flowerbed. Did I tell you they have a Facebook page? Take a right, and get ready for bridge number 3 🙂 at the bottom of the bridge, take a left. If you go straight ahead, you are heading to Kinvara.
Drumharsna Castle to Bridge Nr4
It’s now a short cycle to Drumsharsna Castle which is located on a slip road on the right.
Image of Drumharsna Castle in Ardrahan
The plaque on the wall mentions that the castle was damaged in 1920’s, not really revealing what happened . All I can say ..This castle has a very dark past, especially what happened in the 1920s. A Beagh Historian wrote an in-depth article about it here, to help you understand what happened and why Labane has a Loughnane- Quin Memorial hall. Best to take a break here, and enjoy that snack and if you invested in a thermos, that tea/coffee will never taste so nice!!
Cycling back to where you came from, take a right and enjoy a beautiful country cycle, overlooking fields on both sides.
Open Country Road and fields in Ardrahan
Also here you’ll come across a milestone on the left.
The Adrahan Heritage Group has started to identify the remaining milestones in the hope to preserve them for the next generation. You’ll cycle cross roads, an old waterpump on the right.
image of a waterpump and Katleen with bike
Turn left to go back to Labane, turn right into the direction of Kinvara.
Keep going straight and after a while you will come to a junction called Crann Mór, meaning “big tree” in Irish . Story goes that some people remember there was a tree trunk in the middle of the road. I can only but imagine the traffic chaos this would have caused! It’s a super busy junction, so please be careful! If you go straight it will bring you to Kiltartan Cross, right takes you to Kinvara with Lydacan castle on the way to the right. On the junction, on your left, you’ll see the ruins of a house, and in front of the wall, the best-preserved milestone we have come across so far.
Side View
Other Side View
Front View
The Milestone has been moved over the years, and it’s the only milestone that is fully exposed, as all the other milestones only show a fraction of their true length, as a good part is underground.
Last Bridge to Cross
Turn back and take the first road to the right for a gentle flat country road cycle:) until you have another bridge to cross:) Once you are over the last bridge, it’s a short cycle to the bottom of the road, that brings you back to the main road. On your right, you’ll see the Coolfin Turlough.
Take a left to go back to Labane where you started, and call into the petrol station for a much-needed snack/drink/rest
Well done for completing this cycle. If you like to discover other trails in the Burrenlowlands, search for Gort Cycle Trails.
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled this trail, what you thought, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
Looking for a looped cycle in the Burren Lowlands?
Itching to get onto your bike? Let me show you a looped cycle trail I recently discovered from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk( under development)
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled this trail, what you thought about it, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
The total distance of this cycle is just under 20 km. If you are only cycling from Thoor Ballylee to Gort, it’s 4 km. I would allow up to half a day to really take your time! Have a picnic at Thoor Ballylee, have a rest at the River Walk, Walk around Gort( and visit Kiltartan Gregory Museum when it reopens.)Things to bring: snacks, breakfast or lunch, water, charged mobile and don’t forget to apply suntan lotion and wear high viz jackets. Switch on your bike lights if the weather is not so nice. If you are cycling on your own, let someone know where you are heading.
Thoor Ballylee’s History
To learn more about Thoor Ballylee and the link with the Irish poet Yeats and the dramatist Lady Gregory, click on this link. *****Please note – Thoor Ballylee is currently closed due to COVID-19 Check their Website/Facebook page for the latest updates!****
I should probably say re-discovered as this trail is an age-old trail that people used to travel on by foot and bike from Gort to Ballyanneene, Rinerush, and possible also Peterswell, where I live.
Route description from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
I recommend you start from Thoor Ballylee (or anywhere on the Skehanagh side) to have the least amount of hills. If on the other side you are looking for a heart-pumping exercise, do the cycle anti-clockwise:) You’ll definitely sleep well 🙂
Check out this Google Map showing you the looped cycle.
From Skehanagh to Thoor Ballylee
Intro to the Cycle from Skehanagh to Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
The first video brings you from Skehanagh to Thoor Ballylee. There is one hill to climb before you get to the top of the Road- I had to get off the bike as I was also holding my camera( note to self – must find a way to mount my phone). What goes up, has to come down, so you’ll see in the latter part the downhill cycle to Thoor Ballylee – bliss:)
Once you have arrived at the castle, lock up your bike(s) in the cark park and go for a stroll to the watermill to the right.
Thoor Ballylee form the Pic Nic Area
Explore the watermill at Thoor Ballylee
https://youtu.be/LzkOfOtEgZY
Water Mill at Thoor Ballylee
There are big plans to restore the watermill. Why not take a seat in the picnic area in front of Thoor Ballylee and enjoy breakfast or lunch on the picnic tables or the grass. It’s quite magical.
Thoor Ballylee to Gort River Walk Cycle trail
Next video and pictures show most of the journey from Thoor Ballylee to the end of the road.
Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the top of the Gort River Walk
The cycle trail from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk is very straightforward. Leaving Thoor Ballylee to your right, cycle all the way till you come to a crossroads where you take a left.
Country views on the Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
Country views on the Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
Country views on the Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
At some point you’ll see a fork to the right. If you look very closely, there is an existing cycle trail called “Finding Yeats”. This cycle trail was mapped by the Burrenlowlands from Gort, sponsored by Sullivans Hotel on the square in Gort. I’ll have to write another blog article about that cycle.
Take a left to go to the Gort River Walk
Cycle for approximately 1 km and you’ll see a yellow bungalow to your left ( It’s a downhill road so you are picking up some speed). Across from that yellow bungalow you’ll see a narrow road/boreen to your right. If you are a local , this is the top of the Pound Road. This road ultimately brings you to the back of Gort.
Railway Bridge
Once you take a right, it’s a straight road that brings you to a railway bridge.
Railway Bridge
Once you cross the railway bridge, it’s a downhill cycle, and the road surface changes to a loose stone surface.
View over the railway track
You’ll see a ruin of a farmhouse to your right, and as the road takes a slight bend to the left you will have arrived at the top of Gort River Walk.
As you cycle down there is a gate, sometimes it’s open, sometimes it’s closed. If it’s closed, make sure when you open it to get through, you close it off.
If you look to your right, you may be lucky to see a swan family. When I was there, there was a swan family there with cygnets.
Swans with their Cygnets
If you look a little bit further down to your right, you’ll see the remains of a bridge. DO NOT ATTEMPT to go there or cross the bridge as it is not safe. The Gort River Walk has big plans to replace this bridge with a new bridge, follow their Facebook page to find out more.
Lavally Bridge
Lavallysheen Children’s burial ground
Look to your left, and you will see the Lavallysheen Children’s burial ground. To learn more about the Burial ground, check out this article in Guaire Magazine ( page 64. Since the article was published a group of volunteers have done an amazing job to restore and tidy up the burial ground. It has also enabled relatives to honour and pay tribute to their deceased family members. It’s a truly a sacred place.
Continue your journey, leaving the Lavallysheen burial ground to your left, the river to your right. The road surface is a bit bumpy but ok to cycle. It’s only towards the end of the cycle, there are bigger/rougher stones, and it may be better to dismount for a short while. You will now have a beautiful view of the River to your right. ( There are way more and better images, I’ll write another post dedicated to the Gort River Walk)
View over the Gort River
Gort River Walk
As I mentioned earlier, there is currently a project in progress by local volunteers to establish a Gort River Walk, find out more about the history here. The Pound Road, once a dumping ground and no go area, has been transformed into a beautiful walking area to be enjoyed by all. Follow Gort River Walk on Facebook and their recent fundraiser – please support if you can.
Flower Vale House
You’ll now see barriers, you can go around a little place to the right.
Gates and passage to the right
Continuing on to your right, you will see the remains of Flowervale House – home of the once mill owners. This article tells you all about the history of the house and the (tragic) story of how the mill was flattened to the ground. It is also the back of Aldi in Gort and the start of the Gort River Walk.( There are in effect 2 entries, one via the Pound Road and one via the back of Aldi.)
As you continue your journey, you will see the Gort Railway Station to your left and as you continue you will arrive in the town of Gort. Check out a blogpost I wrote about the Gort Railway Station last year, when it was 150 years since it first opened.
Gort Railway Station
This may be the end of your trip . Pop into Centra for ice cream or continue on the loop and take a right at the roundabout to head back OR you can take a left and go onto Gort’s mini -Greenway into Coole Park I documented a while back.
Icecream at Centra in Gort
Kiltartan Gregory Museum
If you are heading back, it’s an easy ride, passing entry into Coole Park. Further down is a nice downhill cycle at Kiltartan. You’ll see a red brick building onto your left, which is the Kiltartan Gregory Museum. It’s currently closed , due to COVID-19. Keep an eye on their Facebook Page to find out when they re-open.
Next you will pass the railway crossing at Kiltartan, and as you cycle you’ll see a sign for Quinn’s hardware store being 5 kms from that point.
This is the back of the Quinn Sign:) pointing to the Kiltartan Gregory Museum
Eileen Quinn Memorial plaque
Across from the sign, you’ll see a farmhouse, with a remembrance stone to Eileen Quinn, who was murdered there on the 1st of November 1920. I strongly recommend you listen to this recently produced documentary about the life of Eileen Quinn and what happened there on the 1st of November. Humbling is an understatement
Eileen Quinn Memorial plaque
It’s been downhill for most of the way, so it’s time for a bit of climb across from Tannian’s forge. There is a bit of bend in the road, and I always cross the road before the hill, as visibility is limited once you are on the climb.
Once you have caught your breath, you’ll see Cummins kitchens to your right and signs for Thoor Ballylee. Take a right, enjoy the downhill cycle or take a left and do an extra loop via Shehanagh.
Back to where I started my cycle
The road bends to the right, and this is where I started the cycle.
The road to your left brings you into Skehanagh, where there are few other cycles you can do, I’ll have to write another blog post about the Skehanagh cycle trails.
As it is summertime, the floods we had earlier in the year, have receded. Learn more about the South Galway floods here.
Hope you enjoyed this (long) article- look forward to hear if it has inspired you enough to do the Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk!
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled this trail, what you thought, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
Today I’ll be bringing you from Labane to the Bingham Mausoleum in Adrahan and back. COVID-19’s silver lining has been that I needed to stay local, and instead of driving into work everyday and cycling the last 5 kms , I have been staying home and doing my #dailycle in my area! As it happens there are some really beautiful country cycles /walks, including the Labane to the Bingham Mausoleum Looped Cycle. Click on the + sign to make the map more detailed. The cycle is just below 6 kms, and is easy to cycle.
What is a Mausoleum?
Now before I continue, let me explain what a Mausoleum is ! Wikepedia tells me following:
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb, or the tomb may be considered to be within the mausoleum.
Googling a bit further, I found a book published in 1975 about Mausoleums in Ireland Craig, Maurice. “Mausoleums in Ireland.” Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, vol. 64, no. 256, 1975, pp. 410–423. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/30089950. Accessed 14 June 2020.
Reading through the book, the Burren Lowlands has its fair share of Mausoleums, a few new ones I’d like to explore, and I think there is even one that is not featured in the book, namely the Gregory Mausoleum ( That’s for another time:) )
Cycle from Labane to Bingham Mausoleum
I started from the Higgins Petrol Station in Labane to stock up on a few snacks and the Sunday Times. If you are travelling to the area, you can leave your car there or park up in Ardrahan. There is usually plenty of space.
Getting a few snack before heading off
Leaving the petrol station, it’s only a short cycle to the cemetery. Take a right there. It’s a an easy cycle until there is a bit of a hill:)
This is at the bottom of the hill:)Sign for Caher Cre Church and MausoleumRoad leading to Caher Cre Church and (Bingham) Mausoleum
The Entrance to Caher Cre Church and Mausoleum
The entrance to Caher Cre Church and Mausoleum is right behind the blue gate ! If you are by car, drive a little bit further and there is an area just around the corner where you can park – it’s very small, and a coach for example could not in there.
If you brought a snack or a packed lunch, take a seat at the picnic table.
Take a seat at the picnic table and enjoy the view
Caher Cre ChurchHistory BoardGable ViewInside Caher Cre ChurchLooking into the window of the churchEntrance to the MausoleumI love the detail of the door!
Mausoleum to Ardrahan
Continue your journey on a windy road with lovely country views, passing a sign on your right for O’Neills Holiday homes with a turn to the left(you’ll see a dead end sign for the right turn). You then arrive at the top of the road. Take a left into the direction of Ardrahan.
Top of the road
This is the only part of the journey which is on a fairly narrow road and can be busy with cars, so be very mindful. It’s only a short stretch of road, and before you know you are approaching Adrahan.
Approaching Adrahan Village
You will see the GAA Grounds on your left.
GAA Ardrahan
Ardrahan Village
You have now arrived in Ardrahan Village! Check out some of the images I took there. If you are starting your cycle from here, you can park your car here. Why not call into the Irish Fibe Crafters and have a look at their latest weaving creations or take a break on the bench:)
The Square at ArdrahanIrish Fibre Crafters in ArdrahanInformation board about Ardrahan in the Burren LowlandsThe Old Garda Station in the background and bus shelter
Heading back to Labane
It’s now only a short cycle back to Labane, part of this road has already been marked as a cycle lane, I would love to have a full cycle lane from Ardrahan to Gort marked… One day..
Cycle back from Ardrahan to Labane
If you know of a safe cycle trail in the Burren Lowlands, share it in my my Facebook group here!
Happy, safe cycling!
Katleen
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