Making plans to go for a cycle this May Bank Holiday? Let me give you 5 loops you can cycle/walk in the Burren Lowlands. Support my fundraiser for #CycleAgainstSuicide #ShareTheLoadOnTheRoad I am also planning a community cycle from Woodford to Flagmount – if you are interested in this, sign up here to get updates. Join the Gort Cycle Trails Facebook group here.
Mary’s Walk Peterswell
Mary’s Walk Peterswell – 5 Kms — Peterswell is approximately 10 Kms from Gort and has a number of walking loops and cycle trails( OK, the higher up you go, the more muscle power you need) I mapped Mary’s walk a while back! Mary’s Walk does have a few hills, so if you are cycling, I recommend you do the cycle clockwise ( I walk some of it where the hills are too taxing), but very doable… Beautiful country views on very quiet roads. Instructions here.
Gort’s Mini-Greenway
Gort’s Mini -Greenway – 5 kms ( one way)— This is a hidden treasure that very few people know about – a very safe way to cycle or walk into Coole Park from Gort! Walk or cycle into Coole Park and reward yourself with your favourite tea/coffee, delicious sandwiches and cake at Coole Park Tea-Rooms ( I’ll have one of their rocky roads any day – tell them I sent you) Instructions here.
Sean Bingham Mausoleum Ardrahan
Sean Bingham Mausoleum Adrahan – 10 km — Also this is a little treasure I’d recommend you check out… It’s a gentle cycle, starting from Labane ( or you can start from Ardrahan). Bring a picnic to eat at the picnic table and enjoy the views. Instructions here. If you are looking for a longer cycle, check out the Adrahan Drumharsna Castle and Old Mile Stones Bikeride here.
Thoor Ballylee to Gort RiverWalk Via Kiltartan Gregory Museum
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled or walked any of the trails, what you thought about them, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
For a full list of #SafeCycleTrails and maps I have mapped so far, click here. I have done a lot of cycling in the last few weeks, and will be adding a number of new loops shortly!
Gort Cycle Trails raising funds for #CycleAgainstSuicide
I am currently raising funds for #CycleAgainstSuicide to raise 500 Euros to train someone in the community to become a buddy. The Community buddy programme trains and equips participants with the practical, hands-on skills and knowledge they need to deliver support to those in mental health distress in their local communities. Donations can be made via Idonate , Facebook and Instagram or simply click on the below image !
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!
A few years ago, I took part in a charity walk called “ Run for Mary” in Peterswell. As it happens, I live in Peterswell, but had never really explored that side of Peterswell( the actual village). It was an amazing walk and as the charity walk is coming up soon( click here for more info) I thought I’d walk it again, without the crowds. I have called the walk Mary’s walk, in memory of Mary.
The walk is just under 6 Kms, and it took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to walk it. Regardless of the time of year, wear a high Viz Jacket. Bring some snacks/drinks in case you get hungry or thirsty. And yes, it’s a looped walk!
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled or walked any of the trails, what you thought about them, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
For a full list of #SafeCycleTrails and maps I have mapped so far, click here
So where is this walk?
Make your way to Peterswell, off the main road between Loughrea and Gort.
Here is a little map of the walk. ( If you are Runtastic User, click here
Park your car at the Community Center and walk toward the church.
One you are the church, look back to get a view over Peterswell.
View over Peterswell Village
This is a country road, so just be mindful of traffic.
As your walk progresses, you’ll pass many fields, and enjoy views over the countryside.
Keep walking, the road veers to the left , don’t take the road over the bridge.
At this point you are in a very rural location! I loved the view with all the leaves on the ground.
The road comes to an end, take the left turn. As you walk on that road, it’s a bit hilly, you’ll see hedgerows on the left.
There is a beautiful view from the top of the hill:)
Keep walking till you come to the end of the road. Take a right, as you are now back on the road that leads you to Peterswell.
My last post covered a little treasure in Gort, which I aptly called Gort’s Mini-Greenway. As it happens, this Greenway also connects to Gort’s Golden Mile, making it a loop.. Yes… I think many of you will take note, as who doesn’t like a looped walk/cycle ( followed by cake I hear you ask?).
So where is this loop?
So you follow the instructions from last time here. Instead of turning left to head to Coole Park( for cake: ) ) you turn right, and head over the bridge.
Out of a practical point of view. I would recommend you first do the Mini-Greenway, as most of it is downhill. However If you are looking to strengthen your quads, best do it anti-clockwise. ( Did you know your quads are your strongest muscles ?)
Once you come to the main road, cross it, and within a short distance you will see an arrow for the L85313 to your left
Arrow on the main Road
Arrow on the main RoadArrow for L85313
Take that turn and as you walk down the hill your view will be like this!
L85313 Road ( view as coming from Kinincha)
Grazing cows L85313
As you walk on this road, you will see a sign for Gort’s Golden Mile!
Gort’s Golden Mile & connection with the mini-greenway
The road surface changes to a dirt track. If you were on bikes you could cycle, but dismounting your bike for a short while may work better. This track is about a mile and is beautiful as you can see from the pictures below.
Dirt TrackStone walls Gort’s Golden MileGort’s Golden MileGort’s Golden MileGort’s Golden Mile( view coming from Kinincha)Fields
As your walk progress, you’ll come to the end of the road, with a beautiful thatched cottage on your left.
Thatched Cottage Kinincha Road
Stop for a moment and listen, you’ll hear the river flowing ahead of you. It’s currently NOT safe to descend to the river there, but there are (big) plans for a river walk in Gort.
Gort’s Golden Mile & the river in the back ground.
The only way to go is right, heading back to Gort, the river flowing to your left. This road is tarmacked.
As you walk on that road, you will find the Planning application for a Gas Bio Plant on your right. To find out more about this Bio Plant, check out a very detailed article on why the location of the proposed site is not suitable.
Site Notice Gort Bio Gas PlantProposed site for Bio Gas PlantProposed site for Bio Gas Plant
You’ll walk past access to farmland on your left, which , if you head that way, brings you to a fence .
If you venture past the fence, make sure you close it, as cattle/horses are kept there from time to time, so be careful. Once in the field, if you head straight, you will see/hear the river. I was there not so long ago during a weekly walk of the Kinincha Road and I was taken by its beauty as you can see from the pictures below.
Track leading to Farm Gate
Anyway, back to the Kinincha Road:)
As I was doing the walk in September, there were blueberries, slow berries, Rosehip and so much more blooming, it was amazing.
You will see a plant on the left which I am guessing is some kind of a depot for salt( or something else – I have no idea) and further down the Waste Water recycling plant.
From then on, for a split moment, you are away from busy Gort and walking on a country road with country views!
Once you are the bottle banks, you are nearly back to where you started, the Lidl Car Park. Who knew:) You can then head into Gort for cake:)
You could also do a looped walk, starting at Lidl, go straight, take a left at the cottage, go straight, and when you come to the main road, take a left road( you are now on the old main road ) and head back to Gort( which is in fact the walk I did). I took some pictures on my way back to Gort, I particularly liked the horse that comes over to say hello:). If you do the looped walk, it’s another way of getting your 10 000 steps. The looped walk is just under 5 km.
Horse
As a side note, there is ( unfortunately) still a lot of dumping on the Kinincha Road, and I have passed on the pictures to the council. I am hopeful that, once the council installs proper CCTV, it will stop the dumping.
Did you know Gort has its very own greenway? A friend of mine mentioned there is a safe way to cycle from Gort to Coole Park. This was totally new to me, and until then I had never known about it. So I set out to find out. I have called it Gort’s mini-greenway! Greenways are ever so popular these days, so I am hoping the title of this blog post will trigger enough curiosity for people to explore it. It’s mini, as it’s not very long, but it IS there, ready to be explored. So where is this mini-greenway???
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled or walked any of the trails, what you thought about them, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
For a full list of #SafeCycleTrails and maps I have mapped so far, click here
Start of our trip
We met up at the Supervalu’s Carpark in Gort ( hello Karen!!), so we could easily unload our bikes.
We then headed for the roundabout, taking the slip road L85311, which runs parallel with the motorway.
Taking the exit L85311
There is a bit of bend in the road, and a steep descent. You’ll feel your bike picking up speed!
Karen going down the hill, the view is amazing.
The road then gets a bit bumpy The Road has been resurfaced since I wrote this article! The road is narrow and when you come to the end of the road, you take a right.. ( Taking a left isn’t really an option, as there is a fence).
As you take the right, you are on a gravel road, with fences on both sides.
Apart from a tractor, we didn’t come across any traffic.
At the end of the straight stretch, there is another bend, and then you come to a fork, you take a right.
As you cycle along you’ll pass a few houses and a ruin of an old house, it would be interesting to find out what this building once was. As you look at the ruin, you can see the bridge over the motorway to your right.
You are now on the road/avenue that leads to … Coole Park. You’ll see the new bridge over the motorway on your right.
Now all you need to do is cycle/walk to Coole Park. Head for the Tea rooms, I hear they are serving coffee/tea/cakes and lots of other goodies. Check out their Facebook page to their latest menu.
This Cycle/walk is just over 4 kms. from Gort to Coole Park.
Next time I’ll show you how this route connects with the Golden Mile in Gort…
