Spin to Ballitore

Qualitymark

Was thinking of taking a spin south from Rathminesish to Ballitore in South Kildare. Three hours, says Google Maps (I'm usually slower, embarrassingly), but it also offers two routes, one using part of the N11 and the other part of the N7.

Can anyone suggest a safer route than these rather busy roads?

manwithaplan

Depends how quickly you want to get there. N81 is an option. Not exactly a quiet country lane and a bit of up early on but it's not too bad on a bike.

Qualitymark

My energy is limited. This is a long cycle for me.

Carawaystick

https://www.google.ie/maps/dir/Rathmines/Ballitore,+Co.+Kildare/@53.2806204,-6.3733848,12.5z/data=!4m34!4m33!1m25!1m1!1s0x48670ea90b03a337:0x8ef6d7a6092b1022!2m2!1d-6.2655052!2d53.3218816!3m4!1m2!1d-6.3594345!2d53.3060017!3s0x48670b5795d1108b:0x804a663e00c0e0f!3m4!1m2!1d-6.4119049!2d53.2911195!3s0x4867748e33a7420b:0x9a1543f07f35a206!3m4!1m2!1d-6.4218727!2d53.28604!3s0x4867748a6b902c09:0xf4038dc0b8727bbe!3m4!1m2!1d-6.609801!2d53.2085683!3s0x4867787610e6f76b:0x11acb32dcc409928!1m5!1m1!1s0x485d63236fff4889:0x51661a84f8d2887a!2m2!1d-6.8123856!2d53.0074272!3e1?hl=en

nilhg

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10190505

Nice spin once you clear the urban areas.

Koobcam

You have loads of options for that route. If you are keen on avoiding difficult hills, best bet would be to take the N81, but this would be best done during off-peak traffic periods as that road can be very busy and a bit dodgy in parts with traffic. Rather than taking the N81 the whole way, you could head to Rathfarnham and then up Seskin hill, which gets you away from the dodgiest bit of the N81, though Seskin hill is a tough one. Seskin starts with a left turn just after you start the Embankment climb and brings you to Brittas and back to the N81 and on to blessington. Once you get to Blessington, you could head to Ballymore Eustace, Dunlavin etc via the back roads and eventually end up around Ballitore. There are loads of great backroads between Dunlavin and Ballitore, some of them in ok condition, some in bits, but great fun and basically no traffic.

Qualitymark

Carawaystick wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/maps/dir/Rathmines/Ballitore,+Co.+Kildare/@53.2806204,-6.3733848,12.5z/data=!4m34!4m33!1m25!1m1!1s0x48670ea90b03a337:0x8ef6d7a6092b1022!2m2!1d-6.2655052!2d53.3218816!3m4!1m2!1d-6.3594345!2d53.3060017!3s0x48670b5795d1108b:0x804a663e00c0e0f!3m4!1m2!1d-6.4119049!2d53.2911195!3s0x4867748e33a7420b:0x9a1543f07f35a206!3m4!1m2!1d-6.4218727!2d53.28604!3s0x4867748a6b902c09:0xf4038dc0b8727bbe!3m4!1m2!1d-6.609801!2d53.2085683!3s0x4867787610e6f76b:0x11acb32dcc409928!1m5!1m1!1s0x485d63236fff4889:0x51661a84f8d2887a!2m2!1d-6.8123856!2d53.0074272!3e1?hl=en

Thanks, this looks nice, and it's only a half-hour longer.

Koobcam wrote: »

You have loads of options for that route. If you are keen on avoiding difficult hills, best bet would be to take the N81, but this would be best done during off-peak traffic periods as that road can be very busy and a bit dodgy in parts with traffic. Rather than taking the N81 the whole way, you could head to Rathfarnham and then up Seskin hill, which gets you away from the dodgiest bit of the N81, though Seskin hill is a tough one. Seskin starts with a left turn just after you start the Embankment climb and brings you to Brittas and back to the N81 and on to blessington. Once you get to Blessington, you could head to Ballymore Eustace, Dunlavin etc via the back roads and eventually end up around Ballitore. There are loads of great backroads between Dunlavin and Ballitore, some of them in ok condition, some in bits, but great fun and basically no traffic.

When I reach Rathfarnham where do I turn for Seskin Hill?

Blessington is a bit scary; I've a friend lives out that way and the speed of the drivers!

H.E. Pennypacker

Qualitymark wrote: »

Blessington is a bit scary; I've a friend lives out that way and the speed of the drivers!

I found that the biggest problem is Blessington itself is that drivers don't think to look for cyclists. They don't indicate much either and either dive for the parking spaces at the side of the road or reverse a good bit out of them before having a look to see what's coming. Its surprising seeing as its a popular spot for cyclists passing though. Once you expect it, its not too bad.

JK.BMC

nilhg wrote: »

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10190505

Nice spin once you clear the urban areas.

As a resident of the Ballitore 'parish' I heartily recommend a visit! This is a good route indicated by nilhg; but to avoid the long main road south from Kilcullen, you could choose the following diversion:
Turn left at the lights in Kilcullen and follow the lovely rolling road to Dunlavin- basically follow the road at all junctions and head over the Wickla border. Stop for coffee/cake in the Meitheal cafe, just beside the impressive Courthouse - you cant miss it.
Saddle up; turn RIGHT in the middle of Dunlavin and again just keep following the lie of the road to a t-junction, turn RIGHT, in Colbinstown (former railway station), just after Rathsallagh Golf Course. Then, ride past the ancient Cilliancormac burial ground (you cant miss it!) along a fabulous twisty road, back into Kildare, before a final t-junction, turn LEFT onto the old N9 at Crookstown.
By then, you are 2km from Ballitore, so get off the N9 at the big garage and head downhill towards the Griese river valley - follow the signs and the lie of the land.It is fairly obvious by then.
And if you visit the famous Quaker House or any Shackleton related sites, you might happen upon the 'Ballitore Pave Segment' on Strava, that takes you on a bumpy but brilliant circle south of the village.

And if you can follow the above, you deserve a free pint in the Shackleton's Rest

nilhg

JK.BMC wrote: »

As a resident of the Ballitore 'parish' I heartily recommend a visit! This is a good route indicated by nilhg; but to avoid the long main road south from Kilcullen, you could choose the following diversion:
Turn left at the lights in Kilcullen and follow the lovely rolling road to Dunlavin- basically follow the road at all junctions and head over the Wickla border. Stop for coffee/cake in the Meitheal cafe, just beside the impressive Courthouse - you cant miss it.
Saddle up; turn RIGHT in the middle of Dunlavin and again just keep following the lie of the road to a t-junction, turn RIGHT, in Colbinstown (former railway station), just after Rathsallagh Golf Course. Then, ride past the ancient Mullaghreelin burial ground (you cant miss it!) along a fabulous twisty road, back into Kildare, before a final t-junction, turn LEFT onto the old N9 at Crookstown.
By then, you are 2km from Ballitore, so get off the N9 at the big garage and head downhill towards the Griese river valley - follow the signs and the lie of the land.It is fairly obvious by then.
And if you visit the famous Quaker House or any Shackleton related sites, you might happen upon the 'Ballitore Pave Segment' on Strava, that takes you on a bumpy but brilliant circle south of the village.

And if you can follow the above, you deserve a free pint in the Shackleton's Rest

Nice JK, I'd agree that the old N9 road out of Kilcullen can be a bit soul destroying if it's windy but no need to come into Kilcullen really, just come down through Carnalway by the church and into Dunlavin that way, would make this a lovely spin.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10199530

Qualitymark

JK - I also want to visit Mullaghmast, site of one of Ireland's most tragic genocidal mass murders. Would you know how I can get to it from Ballitore?

Koobcam

Qualitymark wrote: »

JK - I also want to visit Mullaghmast, site of one of Ireland's most tragic genocidal mass murders. Would you know how I can get to it from Ballitore?

Which genocidal mass murder was that?

Qualitymark

Koobcam wrote: »

Which genocidal mass murder was that?

This'n https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_Mullaghmast

Killed off virtually all of one branch of my family. Probably other branches involved on the killer side, of course…

Koobcam

[QUOTE=

When I reach Rathfarnham where do I turn for Seskin Hill?

Blessington is a bit scary; I've a friend lives out that way and the speed of the drivers![/QUOTE]
Navigation is fairly straightforward, just follow the signs for Tallaght/N81 and then after the traffic lights at Jobstown and another set a bit further on, it's the next left turn indicated by a sign L7377. Here's a possible route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10204780, though basically stick to the N81 until the turn. The climb up Seskin is quite hard, steep but not too long and a nice descent down the other side. If you wanted to avoid Blessington, you could head to manor Kilbride and around the lakes, though that's pretty undulating.

Qualitymark

I think I'll avoid Seskin, not only because of the (wheeeeeze) climb, but because I always get lost there. Had a friend living up there and never managed to find her place in several drives. I kept landing down onto a dual carriageway every time I took a wrong turn.

Qualitymark

nilhg wrote: »

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10190505

Nice spin once you clear the urban areas.

Dear God, that must be the most annoying site ever. Tried to sign up. Bleaghh!

H.E. Pennypacker

Qualitymark wrote: »

This'n https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_Mullaghmast

Killed off virtually all of one branch of my family. Probably other branches involved on the killer side, of course…

Its very near Burtown house : http://burtownhouse.ie/location/

which isn't too far from Ballitore.

If you wanted to complete the pilgrimage you could head on to Stradbally Hall (http://www.stradballyhall.ie/history/) where there was a related massacre of women and children and which is still owned by the Cosby family

http://www.libraryireland.com/HullHistory/Plantations1.php

Qualitymark

Funny, can't find any Cosbys in Kildare in the 1911 census. There's a few in Laois.

Bit more on the earlier Cosbys http://www.historyireland.com/early-modern-history-1500-1700/francis-cosby-1510-80-stradbally-queens-county-and-the-tudor-conquest-of-leinster/

JK.BMC

Qualitymark wrote: »

JK - I also want to visit Mullaghmast, site of one of Ireland's most tragic genocidal mass murders. Would you know how I can get to it from Ballitore?

About 3km sth west of the village, all uphill.
Head west thru the village centre(towards Kildare/Nurney etc) t-jct after 500m go LEFT, Then the next RIGHT to begin the 2km climb to Mullaghmast and the best view of sth Leinster and Wicklow.
The rath is marked by a stone sign on the right.

BGT

If you wanted to complete the pilgrimage you could head on to Stradbally Hall (http://www.stradballyhall.ie/history/) where there was a related massacre of women and children and which is still owned by the Cosby family

Massacre of women - are we talking Electric Picnic here?

Not sure about the massacre at Mullaghmast, but it is the site of one of Daniel O'Connell's mass meetings, and generally regarded as his largest and most successful.

Qualitymark

JK.BMC wrote: »

About 3km sth west of the village, all uphill.
Head west thru the village centre(towards Kildare/Nurney etc) t-jct after 500m go LEFT, Then the next RIGHT to begin the 2km climb to Mullaghmast and the best view of sth Leinster and Wicklow.
The rath is marked by a stone sign on the right.

Thanks. It's going to be a couple of weeks - work to be done on home first.

Have they ever done a dig there? Some 40 to 400 (depending on the version of the massacre) skulls are supposed to be in there - the killers cut the heads off and put them down a hole, apparently. Would be interesting DNA if so.

JK.BMC

BGT wrote: »

If you wanted to complete the pilgrimage you could head on to Stradbally Hall (http://www.stradballyhall.ie/history/) where there was a related massacre of women and children and which is still owned by the Cosby family

Massacre of women - are we talking Electric Picnic here?

Not sure about the massacre at Mullaghmast, but it is the site of one of Daniel O'Connell's mass meetings, and generally regarded as his largest and most successful.

The massacre was of the heads of numerous powerful clan leaders from the province of Leinster - they all turned up for dinner and never got past the hors d'oeuvres.....
The Daniel O'Connell monster meeting was indeed one of the biggest though to my knowledge nobody lost their head that day and it was many centuries later

JK.BMC

Qualitymark wrote: »

Thanks. It's going to be a couple of weeks - work to be done on home first.

Have they ever done a dig there? Some 40 to 400 (depending on the version of the massacre) skulls are supposed to be in there - the killers cut the heads off and put them down a hole, apparently. Would be interesting DNA if so.

Interesting: though I must admit my knowledge on the subject does not extend to issues of archeology, nor genetics I'm afraid! Nice part of the country all the same. Even better when the autumn colours come and climbing through ditches and hedges is a little less demanding.