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A Few Years ago I cycled to Galway, cycling south to Drogheda and inland along the Boyne valley. It is hard in the Irish Midlands to find quiet lanes away from dangerous roads. The country is often discripted as a saucer, hilly around the coastal rim while flat in the centre. I think you will have to cherry pick by catching a train or bus and tour a hilly coastal area which abound in the northeast on the way to Belfast. Depending on how much time you have starting in Drogheda or Dundalk, the later is a stop on the Dublin-Belfast train and is surrounded by lofted wooded hills. From there you can head via quiet back roads to Newry, or to Carlingford with a ferry across namesake inlet to Green Castle with a backdrop of the Mourne Mountains. The Mourne Mountains are wonderful with its highest peak Slieve Donard with Newcastle at its seaside base and Dundrum bay stretching on along the County Down coast toward The Lecale Peninsular with Strangford Lough beyond. All of this area is green on the map denoting Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A few years ago there was an attempt to create a new Mourne Natural Park, but came up again strong local opposition. As things stand this area sees less tourist footfall than the popular Antrim Coast, meaning it gets less crowded.
I am hoping by May to relocate from Belfast to Newcastle, so will be at hand to ride together and have a beer.
Hope this helps decide on a route.
Sean.
The Isle of Man is just an overnight stop to break up the return ferry ride. I've a short coastal ride planned just south of Douglas, but that's it.
It would be great to meet up in Ireland in May or June. I need to work out a route north from near Westport - one that looks interesting. I'm just not sure there is one.
Hi.
Belfast is certainly worth a visit. I will be about until October 2025 and could show you around by bike. It is also easy to get out of with a 10 mile old rail trail and quiet roads to Strangford Lough, beyond which via country lanes Downpatrick on the Lecale Pennisular is within a day's ride leading to the Mountains of Mourne. From Newcastle you can put your bike on a bus back to Belfast.
I have only been to the Isle Of Man once. Douglas is interesting, but otherwise I wasn't too impressed. IMHO, I take the ferry to Scotland. Dumfries & Galloway is beautiful and bypasses by the hords of tourists heading for the Highlands.
Keep in touch and let me know what you decide.
Sean.
I've a plan to visit Ireland next year - a friend lives inland from Westport. I've plotted a ride looping around there, but wonder about cycling north. I'd like to take theferry from Belfast and stop over on the Isla of Man.
Any suggestions?
That's great -- I will look at the map again and start planning.
3 months agoI may get a bus or perhaps my friend will give me a lift. It's a shame there are no trains going north from Westport.
Hopefuly we can meet up for a Guinness.