Bikes on trains

Victor

Iarnrod Eireann and Fáilte Ireland have a promotion for a 10% discount on bicycle hire of IE customers at a selection of towns.

http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/bicycle_hire_information.asp

Please note that the station in Skibbereen closed approximately 40 years ago and the nearest station is Millstreet (not to be mistaken with the ever evasive Mill Street), a mere 79km away (approximately 16 hours walk, not allowing for rest periods).

For hardier souls who like better(!) train services, one can use Cork Kent, a mere 83km away (approximately 17 hours walk, not allowing for rest periods or pulled muscles).

The last alternative station is Killarney, a fine scenic hike (save for some dark tunnels) of 111km across some mountains, but as you are pushing 22 hours walking (not allowing for rest periods), you are best advised to have you heart attack / hernia / hypothermia midway, so as to break the journey.

mikemac

What's your point Victor?
With the exception of Skibbereen, all those cities and towns have a rail service.
And there is a good spread across the country too.

So, just because Skibbereen has no rail service you feel the need to post four paragraphs of well researched sarcasm?

It's the West Cork region so a tourist hotspot. Maybe Irish Rail want to include as many towns as possible, not just ones with a rail service.
So if a tourist gets a train to Cork then it is likely they will travel around the county and once you get a bus to Skibbereen then it'd be nice to cycle around.
And since this they are working with Bord Failte they probably have research to show this.

Or should Bord Failte put towns with rail links on the Irish rail site and towns with buses on the Bus Eireann site and never, ever mix them in case they offend or confuse someone?

It's a good idea and a positive story for once so ease up on the negativity.

vektarman

Why Skibberean? Are there no bike hire companies in the Cork towns with railway stations? That would make more sense.