The Beara-Breifne Way

clarach

Anyone ever cycled this or know much about it?

http://sligaeltachtmuscrai.com/bbway.html

Consey

Long way to go to end up in Cavan !

clarach

its ok ive figured it out

WAPAIC

You might as well share a few details so, had looked at it before briefly but it would definitely be a tick list item

outfox

+1 on WAPAIC's post. This could be one for the list.
OP: Are you going to do it? In how many days?

Planet X

What sort of distance is it. Not apparent on a clever phone.
Seems to be a mix of surfaces?

clarach

10 days cross country approx 600 kms, you will need the following maps
Discovery series maps required, 26,33,39,40,47,53,59,66,73,79,84,85
one of the ways suggested the Ormonde way has not been developed and the lung way which is part of the lough gara project does not exist,
there is some info on a passport and stamps that can be collected along the way similar to the Camino de Santiago but nobody has any info on this and I mean Nobody big launch and photo shoot with Taoiseach but told nobody even Tourism Ireland never heard of it. (Sigh) whats new.
Start in Beara and folow the Beara cycle way to Ballingeary
the following are the other ways you will follow but not the complete routes you will have to leave them and join up other ways, http://www.irishtrails.ie/trail/Beara-Way/3/
http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Sli-Gaeltacht-Mhuscrai/640/
http://www.irishtrails.ie/trail/Duhallow-Way/5/
http://www.irishtrails.ie/trail/Ballyhoura-Way/1/
http://www.irishtrails.ie/trail/Multeen-Way/381/
http://www.bbgreenway.com/ways/wayormonde.html (Ormonde way to be developed 2012)
http://www.irishtrails.ie/trail/Hymany-Way/382/
http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Suck-Valley-Way/34/

http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Suck-Valley-Way/34/
Lung way to be developed
http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Miner-s-Way---Historical-Trail/23/
leitrim way part of muners way
http://www.irishtrails.ie/trail/Leitrim-Way/20/
http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Cavan-Way/8/
if you are serious i will post the grid ref to all the junctions to from start to finish.
Will cycle on hybrid Giant bike.

WAPAIC

Thanks, will be very interesting to see how you get on. Wonderful trip, if you get the weather and even if you don't. Thanks for posting some fo the details.

Jawgap

I see they were waaaaay ahead of their time......

It is planned to develop the Beara -Breifne way cycling route in Co Limerick, Galway and Roscommon in 1213.

400 hundred years before he actually marched and about 600 years before the invention of the bike - who says we don't plan ahead in this country!

Looks like a great route.

fixie fox

Consey wrote: »

Long way to go to end up in Cavan !

And where are you from?

clarach

As a follow up I cycled this over 6 days 601 Kms, Super long distance cycle through the heart of ireland along small roads, boorens and a little off road super trip, with little Accommodation along the way, It would not be possible to walk this route without serious backup. But as a cycle it has everything, Scenery, Hills, Quiet roads and interesting people. If you want to know more just ask.

Jawgap

Do you have a map if the route you followed?

clarach

I will write a report soon enough giving more details

Adi CkonSh

Been looking for more info on this, found a website http: / / theirelandway . weebly . com has some good info and shows it going the full length to the north coast by linking with the ulster way. I can find the walking routes ok, did you need to divert much for the cycling? Seems a shame that the passports etc haven't been produced.

fat bloke

clarach wrote: »

I will write a report soon enough giving more details

Any sign of your homework assignment there??

Sounds like a fabulous trip, I'm sure lots of people here would be interested in your advice and experience

clarach

What do people need to know, We followed the route as posted previous, Cycled to Blacklion and on to Enniskellen nothing in Blacklion re beara way no one even heard of it, but cycled back to Leitrim Village where there is a ruin of a castle and a plaque on the wall, Local sweet shop owner thought I was mad What did I want to cycle all that way just to see a plaque on a wall. Great cycle through rural Ireland.

fat bloke

What kind of cycling we talking about predominantly? Green lanes? Trails? Tarmac?

Adi CkonSh

Some of the walking routes are over open mountain, did you cycle these or detour? What were the stages you broke it down into to give an idea of daily mileage? accommodation easy to find? Would you recommend it? Are there sections you'd skip? Debating walking (part of it) or cycling it this year.

clarach

While some of the trails go over the mountains some are not suitable for biking unless you have serious mtn bike and can carry your gear, All on small minor roads, mostly tarmac and a small section on trail, Accommodation was difficult to find outside tourist areas, let me have a look see if I can post full report from word doc tomorrow or next day need to remove photos,

clarach

Hope this works with the links full report only thing to do is go for it.
Route of Beara Brefine Way.
will not let me post web links ???
Route of Beara Brefine Way.
The following Ordnance survey maps, Discovery series are required for this trip.
1:50,000 scale, Map numbers 84,85,79,72,73,66,59,53,47,40,39,33 and 26.
The route follows the following ways or parts thereof,

The total distance is approx 620kms, From Castletownbere Co Cork to Blacklion in Co Cavan.

Day One: Map Numbers 84 and 85. Castletown Bearhaven to Ballingeary Total distance 97kms. Elevation 875metres.
The first days cycle is from castletown bearhaven along the Beara way cycle route, care must be taken following this route as there are a number of different cycle routes around the peninsula, leading to some confusion with the sign-age. The first small town you meet is Adrigole, care must be taken here as you do not want to follow the road around Bantry bay but take the small road towards Ahnaclaha, this small country road circles higher up from the coast before descending to join the main road into Glengarriff.
Glengariff: SAY SOMETHING ABOUT HERE>>>>>
From Glengarriff you join the main roadand follow it to Derrycraig and then to Coomhola post office before descending to Dromkeal and Ballylicky, Just outside Ballylicky you join the R584 to Killakill. Here we visited Carriginass castle it was built by Dermot O’Sullivan Beare in 1541. After Kealkill you leave the R584 and join a minor road to Ballingeary, This road has excellent views back towards Bantry bay and is quiet difficult with some steep climbs, before descending past Locha Lua to Ballingeary. Take care after Ballingeary as you have to join a minor road then a smaller road across the mountains before a descent into Ballyvourney.
Day two: Map Numbers 85,79,72 and 73. Ballyvourney to Churchtown Total Distance 74kms. Elevation 771metres.
From Ballyvourney there is a long slow assent along minor roads to just below Mullaghanish mountain with super views. From the col at the top there is also a very long descent through coniferous forests to the main Macroom/ Millstreet road which you cross to take the minor roads into Millstreet, There is a wonderful coffee shop at the top of the town Nibbles, well worth a visit. You leave Millstreet retracing your route back down the town to join the R583 as far as Keal south, Take care here as you have to follow minor roads to Dernagree, cross the N72 towards Mickys cross roads, Maul cross roads Gortearagh cross roads and into Newmarket. After Newmarket there is a steep assent to Lismire. Continue straight through Lismire cross roads where you now join the Ballyhoura way into Liscarroll and Churchtown. Where accommodation is available in Boss Murphy’s.


Day three: Map Numbers 73 and 66 Churchtown to Tipperary town total distance 67kms. Elevation 363metres.
Leaving Churchtown there wee sign posts pointing in different directions so we left the town the way we entered and turned left befor the church this brought us to the junction with the Charleville, buttevant road, We had hoped to follow the Ballyhoura way across forest tracks but it was very wet so the best option was to turn left towards Charleville and right at Shinanagh bridge follow back roads to Dooleys cross Roads, then follow a minor road to Ardpatrick and Kilfinnane. There is a small restaurant in Kilfinnane which is not sign posted and accommodation is available in a Hostel. We took the northern route around the Slieveragh mountain and down to Ballylanders and followed the Ballyhoura way to Galbally. As there was heavy rain and poor visibility we followed the R664 into Tipperary town. On any other day there would be excellent views along this route. There is accommodation available in Tipperary town we stayed in ACH NA Sheen guest house on the Bansha road €35 per person.

Day Four: Map Numbers 66,59, and 53. Tipperary to Portumna Total distance 100kms
Elevation 445metres.
Leaving Tipperary town we followed minor roads along the Multeen way to Donohill.
The ancient Motte of Donohill was attacked by O'Sullivan Beara's starving people, who had camped in the nearby woods of Bealnakelly for 2 days in the winter of 1602. From Donohill we followed the R497 to Hollyford"Here we followed the R497 to Curreeny cross roads before taking a minor road to Templederry, from here we stayed on the minor roads passing Latteragh hill and on to toomyvara, we joined the R445 to just before Ollatrim cross roads where we joined a very minor road which we followed to cross the M7 motorway a Clash and onto Cloughjordan, Accommodation is available here but we decided to push on towards Portumna We were now on part of the Nenagh cycle hub again more sign posts that did not help our cause From cloughjordan we followed the road to pike Turned off for Aglish, Gortnahulla and Carrigahorig, (We could have cycled to Lorrah where O Sullivan crossed the Shannon but as there is no bridge we went straight into Portumna to cross the Shannon. Staying in A B&B Oak Lodge Mary Lynch €35 per person.

Day Five: Map Numbers53 and 47. Portumna to Ballinasloe Total Distance 67kms. Elevation 110metres.
We left Portumna following the Hymany way along the embankment of the Shannon, we thought we could cycle this but proved a mistake as the ground was too bad for the bikes and we had to push them approx 6k, We exited the way just above Cromwell island and cycled on towards Meelick and Eyrecourt, we took a short detour to visit Clonfert Cathedral before rejoining the route to laurenstown, from here we stayed on minor roads to Newtownkelly and Aughrim where accommodation. is available in Valerie’s (Booked out when we got there) so we followed the R446 to Ballinasloe where we stayed the night in Lancaster house main street €30 per person.

Day Six: Map Numbers 47,40,39,33. Ballinasloe to Boyle Total Distance 109 kms. Elevation 304metres.
We followed the R348 out of Ballinasloe to join a minor road across Killure bog onto Ahascragh (Home of Philip Tracey Milliner, Pat rabbit and Eamonn Gilmore labour politicians) Take the R358 out of Ahascargh for approx 2km befor turning onto a minor road which crosses the bog to Ballyforan, Don’t cross the River Suck but continue onto Gortananny and Ballygar (Visit the small antique shop here)Continue down the main road N63 for approx 2km then turn left onto a minor road which brings you to Creggs a small village very well kept. At the memorial to Charles Stuart Parnell stay left on the minor road and make your way to Ballymoe again staying on the minor roads so careful navigation is required. From Ballymoe take the N60 for a short distance before turning onto the R367 to Ballintober, take the minor road to Lissalway cross roads and post office. Continue onto the Rathcrohan cross roads crossing the N5 onto Mantua, Cloonkerin bridge and right onto the R370 to Ballinameen which has a pub and small shop (Now closed) Turn left here and follow minor roads to Ballybaun and into Boyle town. Lots of accommodation. in the town.

Day Seven: Map Numbers 33.26. Boyle to Enniskellen 87kms. Elevation 459metres.
Our final day started off with a lovely cycle through Lough Key forest park. Our next town was Keadew which has won tidy towns competitions in the past. We followed the R285 for a bit before dropping down to Drumshambo where there was a music festival going on., then it was along the Kingfisher way on the eastern side of Lough Allen To Dowra. From Dowra we followed the Kingfisher cycle way to Blacklion the end of our trip.


Day 8: Map Numbers 33. Boyle to Leitrim town and return. 35kms. Elevation 79 metres.
From Boyle lough Key we cycled to Knockvicar, just before the post office we turned left onto a minor road to Cootehall taking the first left entering the village and then the turned left at the next crossroads. This brought us to battlebridge, From here you cross the river shannon and enter Leitrim town, entering the town the harbour is straight across the road, cross the cattle grid and descent to the river on your right there is a small headstone marking the spot where o sullivan meet O Rourke after his epic 14 day march from Castletownbere.


Notes: We maybe should have went to Leitrim village where there is a sign at O Rourke castle.
This cannot be walked without serious backup as there is little Accommodation, food stops for provisions,
it should be promoted as a long distance cycle with better way-marking, e.g. N and S on the signs
The walks should be treated as separate walks and different coloured signs used.
Excellent cycle very enjoyable.
Between creggs and Leitrim castle the route goes through Glinsk, Ballymoe, Ballinlough, Loughglynn, Monasteraden, Cloonlough, Ballinafad, Castlebaldwin (All on map 25 possibly) Highwood, Ballyforan, Knockvickar, leitrim, Follow kingfisher way to Blacklion 9WHY DOES IT STOP IN BLACKLION WHAT HAS THIS TO DO WITH IT?????

seven days cycling Beara brefni way 600kms. Full route.

clarach

Hope this works with the links full report only thing to do is go for it.
Route of Beara Brefine Way.
will not let me post web links ???
Route of Beara Brefine Way.
The following Ordnance survey maps, Discovery series are required for this trip.
1:50,000 scale, Map numbers 84,85,79,72,73,66,59,53,47,40,39,33 and 26.
The route follows the following ways or parts thereof,

The total distance is approx 620kms, From Castletownbere Co Cork to Blacklion in Co Cavan.

Day One: Map Numbers 84 and 85. Castletown Bearhaven to Ballingeary Total distance 97kms. Elevation 875metres.
The first days cycle is from castletown bearhaven along the Beara way cycle route, care must be taken following this route as there are a number of different cycle routes around the peninsula, leading to some confusion with the sign-age. The first small town you meet is Adrigole, care must be taken here as you do not want to follow the road around Bantry bay but take the small road towards Ahnaclaha, this small country road circles higher up from the coast before descending to join the main road into Glengarriff.

From Glengarriff you join the main roadand follow it to Derrycraig and then to Coomhola post office before descending to Dromkeal and Ballylicky, Just outside Ballylicky you join the R584 to Killakill. Here we visited Carriginass castle it was built by Dermot O’Sullivan Beare in 1541. After Kealkill you leave the R584 and join a minor road to Ballingeary, This road has excellent views back towards Bantry bay and is quiet difficult with some steep climbs, before descending past Locha Lua to Ballingeary. Take care after Ballingeary as you have to join a minor road then a smaller road across the mountains before a descent into Ballyvourney.
Day two: Map Numbers 85,79,72 and 73. Ballyvourney to Churchtown Total Distance 74kms. Elevation 771metres.
From Ballyvourney there is a long slow assent along minor roads to just below Mullaghanish mountain with super views. From the col at the top there is also a very long descent through coniferous forests to the main Macroom/ Millstreet road which you cross to take the minor roads into Millstreet, There is a wonderful coffee shop at the top of the town Nibbles, well worth a visit. You leave Millstreet retracing your route back down the town to join the R583 as far as Keal south, Take care here as you have to follow minor roads to Dernagree, cross the N72 towards Mickys cross roads, Maul cross roads Gortearagh cross roads and into Newmarket. After Newmarket there is a steep assent to Lismire. Continue straight through Lismire cross roads where you now join the Ballyhoura way into Liscarroll and Churchtown. Where accommodation is available in Boss Murphy’s.


Day three: Map Numbers 73 and 66 Churchtown to Tipperary town total distance 67kms. Elevation 363metres.
Leaving Churchtown there were sign posts pointing in different directions so we left the town the way we entered and turned left befor the church this brought us to the junction with the Charleville, buttevant road, We had hoped to follow the Ballyhoura way across forest tracks but it was very wet so the best option was to turn left towards Charleville and right at Shinanagh bridge follow back roads to Dooleys cross Roads, then follow a minor road to Ardpatrick and Kilfinnane. There is a small restaurant in Kilfinnane which is not sign posted and accommodation is available in a Hostel. We took the northern route around the Slieveragh mountain and down to Ballylanders and followed the Ballyhoura way to Galbally. As there was heavy rain and poor visibility we followed the R664 into Tipperary town. On any other day there would be excellent views along this route. There is accommodation available in Tipperary town we stayed in ACH NA Sheen guest house on the Bansha road €35 per person.

Day Four: Map Numbers 66,59, and 53. Tipperary to Portumna Total distance 100kms
Elevation 445metres.
Leaving Tipperary town we followed minor roads along the Multeen way to Donohill.
The ancient Motte of Donohill was attacked by O'Sullivan Beara's starving people, who had camped in the nearby woods of Bealnakelly for 2 days in the winter of 1602. From Donohill we followed the R497 to Hollyford"Here we followed the R497 to Curreeny cross roads before taking a minor road to Templederry, from here we stayed on the minor roads passing Latteragh hill and on to toomyvara, we joined the R445 to just before Ollatrim cross roads where we joined a very minor road which we followed to cross the M7 motorway a Clash and onto Cloughjordan, Accommodation is available here but we decided to push on towards Portumna We were now on part of the Nenagh cycle hub again more sign posts that did not help our cause From cloughjordan we followed the road to pike Turned off for Aglish, Gortnahulla and Carrigahorig, (We could have cycled to Lorrah where O Sullivan crossed the Shannon but as there is no bridge we went straight into Portumna to cross the Shannon. Staying in A B&B Oak Lodge Mary Lynch €35 per person.

Day Five: Map Numbers53 and 47. Portumna to Ballinasloe Total Distance 67kms. Elevation 110metres.
We left Portumna following the Hymany way along the embankment of the Shannon, we thought we could cycle this but proved a mistake as the ground was too bad for the bikes and we had to push them approx 6k, We exited the way just above Cromwell island and cycled on towards Meelick and Eyrecourt, we took a short detour to visit Clonfert Cathedral before rejoining the route to laurenstown, from here we stayed on minor roads to Newtownkelly and Aughrim where accommodation. is available in Valerie’s (Booked out when we got there) so we followed the R446 to Ballinasloe where we stayed the night in Lancaster house main street €30 per person.

Day Six: Map Numbers 47,40,39,33. Ballinasloe to Boyle Total Distance 109 kms. Elevation 304metres.
We followed the R348 out of Ballinasloe to join a minor road across Killure bog onto Ahascragh (Home of Philip Tracey Milliner, Pat rabbit and Eamonn Gilmore labour politicians) Take the R358 out of Ahascargh for approx 2km befor turning onto a minor road which crosses the bog to Ballyforan, Don’t cross the River Suck but continue onto Gortananny and Ballygar (Visit the small antique shop here)Continue down the main road N63 for approx 2km then turn left onto a minor road which brings you to Creggs a small village very well kept. At the memorial to Charles Stuart Parnell stay left on the minor road and make your way to Ballymoe again staying on the minor roads so careful navigation is required. From Ballymoe take the N60 for a short distance before turning onto the R367 to Ballintober, take the minor road to Lissalway cross roads and post office. Continue onto the Rathcrohan cross roads crossing the N5 onto Mantua, Cloonkerin bridge and right onto the R370 to Ballinameen which has a pub and small shop (Now closed) Turn left here and follow minor roads to Ballybaun and into Boyle town. Lots of accommodation. in the town.

Day Seven: Map Numbers 33.26. Boyle to Enniskellen 87kms. Elevation 459metres.
Our final day started off with a lovely cycle through Lough Key forest park. Our next town was Keadew which has won tidy towns competitions in the past. We followed the R285 for a bit before dropping down to Drumshambo where there was a music festival going on., then it was along the Kingfisher way on the eastern side of Lough Allen To Dowra. From Dowra we followed the Kingfisher cycle way to Blacklion the end of our trip.


Day 8: Map Numbers 33. Boyle to Leitrim town and return. 35kms. Elevation 79 metres.
From Boyle lough Key we cycled to Knockvicar, just before the post office we turned left onto a minor road to Cootehall taking the first left entering the village and then the turned left at the next crossroads. This brought us to battlebridge, From here you cross the river shannon and enter Leitrim town, entering the town the harbour is straight across the road, cross the cattle grid and descent to the river on your right there is a small headstone marking the spot where o sullivan meet O Rourke after his epic 14 day march from Castletownbere.


Notes: We maybe should have went to Leitrim village where there is a sign at O Rourke castle.
This cannot be walked without serious backup as there is little Accommodation, food stops for provisions,
it should be promoted as a long distance cycle with better way-marking, e.g. N and S on the signs
The walks should be treated as separate walks and different coloured signs used.
Excellent cycle very enjoyable.
Between creggs and Leitrim castle the route goes through Glinsk, Ballymoe, Ballinlough, Loughglynn, Monasteraden, Cloonlough, Ballinafad, Castlebaldwin (All on map 25 possibly) Highwood, Ballyforan, Knockvickar, leitrim, Follow kingfisher way to Blacklion 9WHY DOES IT STOP IN BLACKLION WHAT HAS THIS TO DO WITH IT?????

seven days cycling Beara brefni way 600kms. Full route. GOOD LUCK LET US KNOW HOW YOU GET ON.

Carawaystick

Blacklion is on the border with Fermanagh. I presume there was some linkup from there pseudo--planned, to get to Tír Eoghan

Adi CkonSh

The route can link in with the ulster way and take you all the way to the causeway coast.
Pretty familiar with the Leitrim/Roscommon end of it as I live in Carrick-on-Shannon, have done some of the Kingfisher and the Miners/Historical trail. Thanks for the report.

Jack Joll

clarach wrote: »

What do people need to know, We followed the route as posted previous, Cycled to Blacklion and on to Enniskellen nothing in Blacklion re beara way no one even heard of it, but cycled back to Leitrim Village where there is a ruin of a castle and a plaque on the wall, Local sweet shop owner thought I was mad What did I want to cycle all that way just to see a plaque on a wall. Great cycle through rural Ireland.

If I know this local sweet shop owner!! He dont do much cycling, so ya should've known before asking! It probably follows the Leitrim Way or Kingfisher Trail u this way, I do know that aparently Tourism Ireland are proposing to pull all advertising for the Kingfisher Trail, must'n be enough doing it? The Leitrim Way is already only mentioned in hushed tones. Great roads though, some great scenery...on a good day!

Adi CkonSh

Jack Joll wrote: »

If I know this local sweet shop owner!! He dont do much cycling, so ya should've known before asking! It probably follows the Leitrim Way or Kingfisher Trail u this way, I do know that aparently Tourism Ireland are proposing to pull all advertising for the Kingfisher Trail, must'n be enough doing it? The Leitrim Way is already only mentioned in hushed tones. Great roads though, some great scenery...on a good day!

The Northern part of the Kingfisher was run as an event last year The Kingfisher Challenge would be a shame not to capatalise on that. According to Irishtrails.ie the leitrim way is currently closed. They have upgraded part of the miners wsy and made it accessible for bikes but only a short section.