From Dungarvan in Waterford to Manorhamilton in Leitrim and everything in-between!
Cycling through the Slieve Bloom and Silvermine mountains, the bogs of Offaly, along by the banks of the Shannon following its course north towards the hills & drumlins of Cavan & Leitrim. The variety of landscape within the 350 km route I took, which was mainly back roads, was very varied and offered some memorable surprises!
The roads were noticeably quieter as holiday makers made their way to the West. No doubt the West of Ireland is stunningly beautiful but is becoming a little crowded during the summer months. With convoys of caravans, rental cars and tour buses an already creaking road system is severely tested! By just veering a little inland away from the coast you will experience a different Ireland.
Travelling through Ireland’s heartlands reveals a host of hidden treasures to the slow travelling cyclists with a keen eye and fortunate sense of chance. A lot of the route I had planned before i set off changed on the recommendations of people I met along the way. Ancient holy wells, fairy trees, sweat houses, magic roads, pubs, cafes were only found by directions giving by people I met while cycling – not by google!
The geography of the midlands of Ireland is made up of plains, bogs, lakes and rivers with most of Ireland’s peaks and mountains along by its coasts. The farming land is mainly made up of beef, dairy and sheep, with large swatches of gentry estates scattered throughout. Most of the roads i cycled on were lined with trees which was ideal for summer showers. When it rains the canopy of broad leaf trees offer shelter and the low wild fruit and berry bushes present a snack while you wait for the passing shower!
There’s lots to see and do and the best way is by bike!
Crank and Cog 
Lovely photos and blog to show the ‘hidden heartlands’
Do you have a map of your tour please?
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Thanks Jill!
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I am impressed. You camped and cycled and cooked your own food! I loved the photos of the things you saw on the way: the lanes, and hedges, your tent, the shops. You have clearly got packing down to an art.
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Almost there Emma!
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Great photos, Ciarán.
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Thank you !
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Lovely photos – and I also like how your tent is so well camouflaged
And what’s on that sandwich? Peanut butter, banana and dates? Or is that sundries tomatoes on the top?
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It’s a bannock flat bread, made with oats, salt, butter and chia seeds with peanut butter, bananas and dates on top.
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Yum 😋 thanks
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Great photos-a lovely reflection on middle Ireland.
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Thanks Marie
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Cheers Ciaran from Connecticut.
Congratulations on a fabulous journey.
Pictures are beautiful.
MIssing Ireland already.
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Cheers Steven! I hope ye had fun in Edinburgh!
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Dear friends,
Didn’t have the opportunity to follow you for a long time. You managed to take me to the heart of Ireland with your excellent photos and comments. Many thanks for sharing.
Wishing you good health and wealth in your future cycling tours.
All the best from Istanbul,
Cengiz SARIKAYALI
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Thanks so much Cengiz, wishing you happy travels too!
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Cengiz just needs a bike that can carry a kayak that can carry a bike :-)) and he’d be in seventh heaven. Oh to be 20 years younger and doing this again.
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Never too old Richard!
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