Working, Living & Travelling In Ireland

Tag: West of Ireland

Cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Hi all,

Back in 2019 I cycled Gort’s Mini-Greenway with a friend so I thought that would be an ideal loop cycling the #GortMiniGreenway for #BikeWeek2021 . It’s a 9.2 km loop starting from the Gort Railway Station, via Glenbrack ( which I renamed the #GortMiniGreenway) into Coole Park and then return over the motorway bridge onto the main road, back into Gort.

If you like cycling for fun ( and love eating cake), join my Facebook Group Gort Cycle Trails

Using EventBrite to set up an event for #BikeWeek2021

I messaged a few people with the registration link, put it onto Twitter and very quickly I had 26 reservations. Towards the end, there were a few cancellations that were very quickly snapped up by others that were interested to join the Cycle. The one headache/concern I had was insurance for such an event. I recently joined Cyclist.ie which put me in contact with many more rural cycling initiatives, and the added perk of insurance… so that part was covered. Definitely recommend using EventBrite so you know who has committed to coming.

RSA & Galway Sports Partnership goodies and Drink Bottles

Thanks to the very efficient team at both RSA and Galway Sports Partnership they turned around my order super fast and I received a number of drawstring bags, high viz backpack covers, safety straps, facemasks. All ready for cycling the #GortMiniGreenway !

Cyclists at the Gort Railway Station, Draw String bags against the wall

I separately ordered Drink Bottles via Printon Galway. I highly recommend them as they got my order printed in time!

Drink bottles for BikeWeek

I’d love to see pictures in my Facebook Group of people using the #GortCyCleTrails bottles – please post them in the group!

Additionally, I also got Wheely Lights for the kids! Did anyone succeed to actually install them? (Click on the image to order)

Image Wheely Lights

Hot Drinks and Bailey’s Chocolate Cake at Coole Park TeaRooms

Part of the funding I received from Galway Sports partnership for cycling the #GortMiniGreenway was for the participants to get treated to hot drinks and cake from the Coole Park Tea Rooms… I pre-ordered for almost 40 people so there was no congestion — it all worked out perfectly. Big thank you to the Coole Park Tea Rooms for having it all perfectly organized and ready .

#RailAndBike

I decided I wanted to invite people to come to Gort by rail and pay for their Return Trip. I had added this as part of the funding, and 5 people came from Galway and 5 people came from Ennis! Check out the video I took as the Ennis Group arrived at the Gort Railway Station.

As I was booking the tickets, I realized there were very limited spaces available to book Rail Tickets with bikes. Turns out that there is a maximum of 2 bikes that can be booked in on the train that comes from Limerick or Galway. Luckily they were all let on, but it does make me wonder if more people would use the train to get into Galway/Gort and bring a bike, if they can’t actually book their bike online, they may not choose that way to travel.

Safety First

Setting up an event requires you to ensure the participants are as safe as they can be, so I did a short safety talk, recorded by Lilya, who has been promoted to the chief photographer for Gort Cycle Trails.

Image taken at the Gort River Walk

Check out the safety talk here before we headed off cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Thanks to my husband who drove the front car, and Karen O’Neill for driving the back car. Couldn’t have done it without your help!

The hubby and myself

Karen O’Neill and myself

The Back Car following those cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

I am currently taking a Cycle Right course by Cycling Ireland to become a Qualified Safe Cycle Instructor and it’s thanks to this course I was able to talk about some basics, such as when and how to break, what to look for etc. There is more to cycling than meets the eye.

Garda Help

Setting up an event also requires you to do a risk analysis, so I cycled the route again to remind myself where there are risks, and there are quite a few. I contacted the Local Garda Station who were extremely helpful and provided us with our very own escort from the Gort Railway Station to just past the Roundabout.

Gort Garda helping us out to stop traffic at the roundabout

Once we left Coole Park on our return journey, I rang the Garda to stop traffic so we could safely cross the main road back into Gort. Looking back this really made the cycle very enjoyable, the look of surprise on people’s faces as they saw a sea of people cycle on the streets of Gort was priceless.

I had a dream

I think it was when we were campaigning for #RedRoute5 I had this vision /dream of seeing a sea of people cycle in Gort. I hadn’t really given it much thought until I looked back on our way to the roundabout and saw…. A sea of people..

Sea of People on the streets of Gort on their way cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Also looking back as we were cycling the #GortMiniGreenway, I saw a sea of people cycling and smiling

Happy people cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Call me sensitive, but I cried….. A dream came through when I least expected it.

Videos taking during the Event.

One of my favourite clips is this one where Amelia – 5 years old, heads up the whole group and we are just turning into the #GortMiniGreenway — the weather was on our side at that point:)

Here is a longer clip I created from the footage I took on my phone.

Thanks also to Joe( Amelia’s dad) for taking this footage on his rear-facing camera whilst cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Go Pro Footage from Gort to Coole Park cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

What’s next?

Well, I have been talking about the Woodford to Flagmount cycle quite a bit now, it’s 25 km one way, but it is not the easiest of cycles( read = hills). If you are interested to join this cycle, just fill in this form (if you haven’t already ) and I’ll be in touch when we will do this one ( very likely next year)

Another cycle on my radar is the newly opened Limerick Greenway. It’s 45 kms but it’s flat – so that’s the one I’d like to cycle first.. As it’s a Greenway, there is no need for Garda etc, making it quite a bit easier to organize it. All you need to bring is a bike ( or rent one) and bring good humour. I haven’t planned it yet. Register if you are interested to join this one – I do hope to get this done before the end of the year, the sooner the better… just need a semi-dry day for it:)

Come say hello in the FaceBook Group or contact me here.

Thanks all for coming & Thanks for sharing!

Katleen

#GortCycleTrails #SafeCycleTrails #BurrenLowlands

Share and Enjoy !
Shares

October 5, 2021
Cycle Trail from Thoor Ballylee to Gort River Walk

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

Share and Enjoy !
Shares

June 21, 2020
Do you remember who shot JR Ewing?
Hello world,

Who shot JR Ewing?? I will come to that in a minute. To keep myself sane, and with the fabulous weather ( aren’t we just so lucky), I , like everybody else in the country, decided it was high time to give some much-needed love to picket fence. I had started the project two weeks ago, but had to stop, as the pain that I had was not the same colour.

When you realize the second bucket of paint you have is no quite the same colour

Luckily the paint shops have re-opened, so more paint was bought with a local paint supplier to continue the mission.The idea was also that the nocturnals teens might join in, so they could earn some pocket money.

Now you might ask yourself, what is the link between the picket fence and the phrase “ who shot JR Ewing? Who the hell is JR Ewing? Read on to find out:)

Some of you ( of a certain vintage) will remember the series set in the 80’s called “Dallas”. Dallas was this American prime time television soap opera that was on TV around the world from April 2, 1978, to May 3, 1991( amazing it ran for 13 years!) The series revolved around a wealthy and feuding Texas family, the Ewings, who own the independent oil company Ewing Oil and the cattle-ranching land of Southfork.

My stereotype of Texans was set, they all lived on a huge estate, drank scotch and wore a Stetson( cowboy) hat. I was in Texas many years after and I could not understand why they were not all wearing a Stetson (cowboy) hat! JR Ewing ( also just knows as JR) was the baddy, and eventually, he was killed. As soaps go, we were kept guessing who killed him and eventually we found out…

When we bought our house 16 years ago, and seeing the long fence on both sides of the house, reminded me a little of the opening scene in Dallas where you saw this (much longer) range fence.

Now that the fence has been painted ( partially also thanks to the nocturnal teens), I made a little video, adding the tune of the Soap’s tune.
```
 
```
Enjoy:)

Sending you sunny greetings from Galway…. And eh.. #stayhome #washyourhands #keepyourdistance

Katleen

PS Do you remember who shot JR? Click here to refresh your memory !

PPS If you like my musings, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

Share and Enjoy !
Shares
April 26, 2020
Athastours – Small business interview West of Ireland

Hello Readers,

Time for a new interview! If you are new to my blog, I have been interviewing small businesses in the West of Ireland since 2016. Check out all the interviews I have done to date. The last interview was with An Mheital Rothar, Galway’s Community Bike shop and excited the present my newest interview with Gary Casey from Athastour walking tours in Galway. I was walking around Spanish Arch in Galway City, and just as I walked under the Arch I saw Gary, so I thought I’d go over and say hello!

So how does this interview work, and how can you get interviewed?
I have learned that people aren’t responding to email anymore, and have gotten most of my completed questionnaires via Facebook or Twitter. The interview exists out of a number of questions that are stored in the cloud via Google docs. I then send a link , the interviewee clicks on the link, enters the answers to the questions and the beauty is there is no need to send documents over email. I love it! I then review the questions, ask for clarifications if needed, and then publish. So if you are up for a close-up 🙂 of your business/startup in the West of Ireland, please drop me an email here or connect me with on my Workinglivingtravellinginireland Facebook Page or Twitter. I do read my email! And remember, the more you put in, the more you get out of it. Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!

Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland.
My name is Gary Casey, 40, from Galway. I run Athas Tours guided walks of Galway city.

Can you provide me with a description of your business?
Athas Tours provided individuals and groups the opportunity to walk around and see all the main Galway city sights in a fun and energetic way. I am a sole trader at the moment and do the tours myself.

How long have you been in business? In this business? In other businesses?How did you get started in this business?
I have been in business since February 2017 in this business. I did a course on setting up a business and decided to follow through on this idea.

Is this your full time job, a hobby or a bit of both?
It is a bit of both, not quite full-time yet, but hopefully soon.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business?
I have seen how well-run Galway is as a tourist city. The most necessary skill is telling a story with a bit of wit attached and I think I can manage that!

How do the social, economic, environmental, technological, legal and political environments impact your business?
They all have a bearing on it. Economic tourism is the key i.e. keeping the tourist economy competitive. The rest are secondary to this. Keep Joe Tourist interested by not ripping him off and giving him value for his notes.

Do you know who your competitors are?
I know very well who they are the buggers. Seriously, I think they compliment me and vice versa. Room for all.

How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business? Where can people find you?

Website: www.athastours.com
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Athastours
Linkedin: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/athastours
Youtube: https:/www.youtube.com/c/Athastourswalkingtours

I market via social media but try to keep costs down as Facebook etc can be expensive.

Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years?
I am just going week on week. I hope to be able to expand enough to eventually get a minibus and expand to driving tours.

Do you plan to compete in the global market place? If yes, how? If no, why not?
I would love to but have not thought it fully through.

How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?
It is really everything, just as in every other business.

What do you love about the area you live in/do business in?
It is life itself. A flaneurs dream. People of all walks of life mixing in Galway’s tiny medieval streets, all searching for answers to questions asked forever.

Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where?
I have talked to several historians and online is an invaluable source of opinion.

Can you describe your customers?
Anybody is a potential customer. I just need to make them believe!

Why do your customers select you over your competitors?
Karma.

What are the biggest challenges for running this business?
Karma and cashflow.

What keeps you going, when the chips are down?
Questionnaires from nice people I meet on the streets.

Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why?
Yes and I fundraise. I have collected for the GRCC and GAA.

Anything special things planned for 2017?
Lots but I won’t share just yet!

Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business?
DON’T OVERTHINK. As Nike and Arnold say, Just Do It.

What did you learn from this interview?
That questions lead to answers and sometimes more questions. Life is a big circle. That is good. Never let it get too square or triangular.

Just a quick reminder, please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland! If you would like to be next, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.

Connect with me on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook!

Thanks for reading & sharing & commenting!

Katleen

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

May 7, 2017
We are blue we are white, we are dynamite

We are blue we are white, we are dynamite

Hello all,

We waved 2015 farewell and welcomed 2016! My best wishes to you and yours for 2016! Congrats to those that are still sticking with their new year’s resolutions, commiseration to those that have already lapsed, oh well, you are still a good person:). I am back to work, and during breakfast my eldest son asked me if I knew the slogan of the Ardrahan hurlers, and I said I didn’t. He was very quick to remind me that it is: We are blue , we are white, we are dynamite! I choose the above title, as I thought it symbolizes the spirit of the people in this area. We tend to have storms in the winter, and this year we have been “treated” to a few too many ! I wrote about #Stormdesmond in a previous post and since #stormdesmond we have had #stormeve and the most recent one was #stormfrank, and unfortunately #stormfrank was the drop that made the bucket overflow, quite literally, as many were forced to leave their houses and farms due to flooding. We are no strangers to flooding, as some areas (traditionally) get flooded, and you’ll see lakes that aren’t there during the summer.

The floods of 2009

The area of Labane/Peterswell/Kiltartan was badly affected by floods in 2009, and I will never forget the community spirit I saw in 2009. People were marooned in, kids couldn’t go to schools, animals were separated from their owners, and couldn’t be fed. I saw people get together, assist each other to bring food and supplies to those marooned in, offer tractor rides, and get together to pump water out of houses.

Local vet being towed in a boat to see to some sick cattle in ’09

It was one of the most frightening experiences I ever went through, especially when the road that connects us with the main road was flooded and we were effectively marooned in. The road at Kiltartan was flooded and Gort was not passable. My husband wasn’t able to get to work, as all the main roads were flooded. Fast forward to 2016, and unfortunately the same is happening.

South Galway Flooding 2015

I took below video at the same place

A local aerial photographer Sean Brady took following footage, to give you an idea of the extend of the flooding. Click on the next link by Sean Brady Aerial Photography. on Monday, 28 December 2015 that shows the extensive flooding at Kiltartan.

A number of dignitaries visited Labane/Ardrahan today, including the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins. Our youngest son was all set to meet him and get his signature, and his wish got fulfilled, and my husband was interviewed for the radio. Glad to see that some local politicians Ciaran Cannon and Joe Byrne got together to dig a channel to ease some of the flooding in the Kiltartan area , so water can flow into the sea at Kinvara.

It’s not over yet, and hopefully the rain will stay away, the water can flow back to the sea or evaporate and a strategy can be developed to deal with such disasters. If you are affected by the floods, you can apply for emergency funds here ( no longer valid). If you would like to support those affected by the floods, you can donate to the Irish Red Cross here ( no longer valid)

For my part, small business is always on my mind, and is the backbone of many communities in Ireland. Getting your business featured to a greater public or talked about in local media/TV/Radio is difficult, is hard to measure and is very costly. I have decided to start talking to small business in the West of Ireland, listen to their stories , challenges and successes ,and hope that this will contribute to creating more awareness of what small business has to offer in the West of Ireland. if you are a small business in the West of Ireland, get in touch by emailing me katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com. It will be the best email you have sent in 2016:)

Cheers, Katleen

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

January 4, 2016

Shares