Epic Ireland: Mizen to Malin

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:

There are an almost infinite number of route possibilities for riding the Ireland’s legendary End-to-End trip – from Mizen Head in the very southwestern corner of the country to Malin Head at its northernmost tip. The shortest distance by road is around 380 miles (610 km), but that option is really only for those who want to complete the challenge in the shortest number of legs possible – without worrying too much about either traffic or scenery en route. At the other extreme, a route that follows the coast on minor country roads, riding around each of the many peninsulas that jut out into the Atlantic, would be a trip of around 1800 miles!   

This itinerary is intended as a happy medium between the two extremes. It follows county roads with low to very low traffic volumes, and it takes you through some of the very best scenery and attractions that Ireland has to offer.

The total distance is just over under 750 miles with a total ascent of around 38000 feet. There are 18 riding days (and one option loop route) giving a daily average of around 42 miles with some 2200 feet of climbing. There is one optional rest day (in Navan). 

The tour includes 20 nights accommodation (with breakfast). Accommodations will be a mix of hotels and guesthouses / B & B’s. In some locations the group will by necessity be split between two or more accommodations. 10 full three-course dinners will be provided.

The first night will be in Cork, and you will be transferred from the hotel to the start point at Mizen Head after breakfast the following morning. There are regular direct trains from Dublin to Cork with a journey time around 3 hours. If there is sufficient interest it will be possible to lay on an optional transfer from Dublin to Cork.

After the final leg from Derry to Malin Head, you will be transferred back to Derry for the last night’s accommodation. There are regular trains from Derry to Belfast and on to Dublin. If there is enough demand a shuttle from Derry to Dublin Airport (via Belfast Airport) can be arranged.

Bike rental will be available through Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring Ltd. For those bringing their own bikes, bike boxes and cases will be transferred from start point to end point.

Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring will provide the support and transfer luggage. Sagging will be for emergency only.

A special edition Mizen to Malin cycling jersey will be available to purchase for all participants.

Ride Descriptions

08/19 (Sunday) - Arrive Cork. Warm-up ride for those who wish. Tour briefing.

08/20 (Monday) -  Mizen Head to Skibbereen (35 miles / +2678 ft)

After breakfast, there will be a transfer from Cork to Mizen Head – the southwestern tip of mainland Ireland. After a stop for coffee in the visitor centre, we start our epic ride heading east along the beautiful coast on tiny country lanes. Schull, with its pretty yachting harbor, makes the perfect lunch stop, before we continue our ride through Ballydehob and on to Skibbereen – and our hotel for the night.  

08/21 (Tuesday) -  Skibbereen to Kinsale (45 miles / +3280 ft)

The coastline twists around creeks, sandy bays, harbors and headlands. At the beautiful village of Castletownshend, Edith Somerville and Violet Martin wrote their classic tales of Irish life in Edwardian times (Some Experiences of an Irish RM). Near Ross Carberry you can visit the Drombeg Stone Circle. Clontakilty, today a cheerful, bright and lively town became notorious during the great famine of 1847 when starving farm laborers from the surrounding countryside flocked into the town in a desperate search for food. Our destination is the ancient seaside town of Kinsale, full of style and character.

08/22 (Wednesday)  –  Kinsale to Youghal (51 miles / +2750 ft)

Leaving Kinsale we ride north to Glenbrook to take the little ferry across the River Lee to Cobh, the port of Cork and once the main departure point for the emigrants seeking a new life in America. The doomed Titanic called at the port in 1912 prior to setting out on her first (and last) voyage. Continuing east we ride through Castlemartyr and Killeagh en route to Youghal, once a strongly fortified harbor town at the mouth of the River Blackwater, now a popular seaside resort. Sir Walter Raleigh, who brought both tobacco and the potato to Europe, was Youghal’s mayor in 1588/9.

08/23 (Thursday)  – Youghal to Dungarvan (31 miles / +1417ft)

Although a short ride, the seascapes along this route are glorious. The seaside village of Ardmore boasts one of the best-preserved round towers in Ireland, while at Ballyquinn there is a pristine, isolated beach and a beautiful clifftop walk. At the heart of Dungarvan handsome Georgian buildings cluster around the town square. The town’s pubs offer lively music sessions on most evenings.

08/24 (Friday)  –  Dungarvan to Waterford (42 miles / +2179 ft)

Today’s ride gives us our last stretch along the coast for a week.  We pass through Stradbally with its beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay and Bunmahon, a fishing village which is a throwback to earlier times. Tramore, set within a huge bay carved into the southern coastline, is a much-loved seaside resort. Part of our ride follows the signed Sean Kelly route – Ireland’s greatest ever rider was a native of these parts.

08/25 (Saturday)  -  Rest day in Waterford

08/26 (Sunday)  –  Waterford to Bunclody (48 miles / +2959ft)

Riding east from Waterford we take the ferry across the River Barrow from Passage East to Arthurstown. We then ride north along the eastern bank of the river to the town of New Ross, where you shouldn’t miss a visit to the emigrant “coffin ship” the Dunbrody, which illustrates in graphic detail the hardships endured by those seeking a better life in the New World. From New Ross we continue riding north through beautiful tranquil countryside, to Bunclody. The great hump of Mount Leinster broods over this delightful town, with its tree-lined main street and its little stone bridges.

08/27 (Monday)  – Bunclody to Glendalough (45 miles /+2955 ft)

To the east of Bunclody, the beautiful village Avoca straddles the river of the same name. In the village craft shops you can see demonstrations of hand weaving. Just north of the village is the famed site of “The Meeting of the Waters” where the rivers Avonmore and Avonbeg meet to form the Avoca. Glendalough (the valley of the two lakes) is one of Ireland’s national monuments – for scenic, religious, historical and archaeological reasons. The whole valley is shrouded in beauty, tranquility and serenity, and you will certainly want to spend some time here!

08/28 (Tuesday)  – Glendalough to Maynooth (49 miles / +2382 ft)

Leaving Glendalough we ride through the foothills of the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. There is a gradual steady climb for the first part of the ride and then a drop to Blessington Reservoir. Russborough House on the outskirts of the village of Blessington, has one of the finest art collections in Ireland, with works by Goya, Murillo, Velazquez and Gainsborough. Continuing north on minor country lanes we arrive at the university town of Maynooth with its studious and stately air.

08/29 (Wednesday)  –  Maynooth to Navan (36 miles /+826 feet)

North from Maynooth we ride through the hamlets of Batterstown and Dunshaughlin on our way to the Hill of Tara. The Hill of Tara, known as Temair in Gaelic, was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland – 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In ancient Irish religion Tara was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the other world. Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site.

08/30 (Thursday)  – Navan Loop (29 miles / +1332ft)

Today’s loop ride takes us to the fascinating site of Newgrange. The most impressive stone age tomb in Europe stands on a hill above the fertile valley of the River Boyne. Newgrange is older than Stonehenge and older than the Egyptian pyramids. The tomb reaches 36 feet in height and about 300 feet across. Its base is surrounded by large stones engraves with geometric patterns. The entrance to the tomb is marked by an ornately carved, 10 ton stone.

08/31 (Friday)  – Navan to Mount Nugent (39 miles / +1480 ft)

The ride from Navan to Mount Nugent is on some of the quietest, most tranquil roads that you could ever hope to ride. This is unknown rural Ireland at its very best – tiny hamlets that are little more than a road junction with a pub and (invariably) a church offer travelers rest and refreshment. And hardly a car to be seen!

09/01 (Saturday)  –  Mount Nugent to Carrick-on-Shannon (46 miles +2272 ft)

Another day of superb riding through the countryside of hidden Ireland. You will pass through neat villages, conifer plantations, miles of moorland, and alongside rivers, lakes and inlets. Narrow country roads wind their way past lakeside farms. Carrick-on-Shannon, our destination for the night, was once a bustling centre when the mighty River Shannon was one of the main transport arteries of the country. Today, it is a popular cruising and fishing centre.

09/02 (Sunday)  –  Carrick-on-Shannon to Sligo (48 miles / +2295 ft)

From Carrick we ride west to Boyle with its historic abbey, Ireland’s most impressive example of a 12th century Cistercian church. Leaving the town we ride through beautiful Lough Key Forest Park and then north by the shores of Lough Arrow through Riverstown and Ballintogher to Lough Gill where we can view the Lake Isle of Inishfree, made famous in Yeat’s poem of the same name.  Riding around the western end of the lough we pass impressive Parke’s Castle on the final stretch into Sligo.

09/03 (Monday)  –  Sligo to Ballyshannon (50 miles / +2380 ft)

After visiting the grave of WB Yeats at Drumcliff we continue around the foothills of Ben Bulben, Ireland’s table top mountain. There is the option to ride the remote Horseshoe Loop before dropping down to the coast at Mullaghnmore, site of Cassiebawn Castle. Continuing north, we pass through the resort town of Bundoran on the way to Ballyshannon

09/04 (Tuesday)  –  Ballyshannon to Ardara (49 miles / +2999 ft)

Riding north from Ballyshannon we hug the wonderful Donegal coastline, with is sandy beaches and dunes, until we arrive in Donegal town, with its old market “Diamond”, it castle, and its many craft shops. Riding north from here we skirt around Lough Eske, stopping for lunch at a lakeside restaurant, before striking out across some remote moorland and finishing with a long and exhilarating descent to the little town of Ardara. After dinner there is the chance to enjoy some great traditional music in Nancy’s Bar.

09/05 (Wednesday) – Ardara to Ballybofey (35 miles /+1994 ft)

Riding north from Ardara we pass Doon Lough. If you wish you can take a short boat trip to Doon Fort, a wonderful 2000 year old ring fort on a small island in the lough. Next stop is the market town of Glenties, where you will probably want to have lunch before setting out on the last stretch through the beautiful and remote Bluestack Mountains to the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar.

09/06 (Thursday)  –  Ballybofey to Derry (37 miles / +1779 ft)

From Ballybofey and then ride northwest through Convoy and Raphoe to meet the River Foyle and follow it into historic Derry. The last six miles is on a traffic free path along the banks of the river. Arriving in time for lunch, the afternoon can be spent exploring this most historic of Irish cities.

09/07 (Friday) –  Derry to Malin Head (32 miles / +1507ft)

After breakfast we set out on our last – and shortest - leg. The ride takes us north along the western shore of Lough Foyle and then cuts inland to Carndonagh and Malin before the final stretch to Malin Head – and the journey’s end! After lunch at Malin Head, there will be the option to ride or to take a transfer back to Derry for our last night.

09/08 - (Saturday)  Depart Derry

RIDE RATING: The tour is rated 2B based on a total cycling distance of just under 750 miles with a total ascent of 38,000 feet. The shortest required day (the last day) is 32 miles and the longest is 51 miles. The most ascent in one day is 3280 feet. Note that there are five other rides with total ascent above the 2 rating of 1500 to 2500 feet. These are 2678, 3280, 2750, 2959 and  2955 feet.

WEATHER:  August and early September are among the warmest and driest months in Ireland, but you should be prepared for cooler temperatures and rain at any time. 

LODGING & MEALS:  The estimated cost covers 20 nights accommodations with breakfast as follows:

Cork, Skibbereen, Kinsale, Youghal, Dungarvan, Waterford(2), Bunclody, Glendalough, Maynooth, Navan (2), Mount Nugent, Carrick-on-Shannon, Sligo, Ballyshannon, Ardara, Ballybofey, Derry (2)

Ten evening dinners will be included - on the other nights you will be free to do your own thing for dinner. Iron Donkey will provide suggestions for each of these evenings.

LOGISTICS:  Dublin and Shannon Airports are the options for arriving international flights. Shannon Airport is closer to the trailhead city of Cork than Dublin, but in terms of logistics they are both about the same. Buses from Shannon to Cork take around two hours in total (with a change in Limerick). From Dublin there are regular trains and buses to Cork, with a journey time of around 4 hours in total. From the final accommodation in Derry, Belfast International and Dublin Airports are the best options for outbound international flights. There are frequent buses from Derry to Belfast International and to Belfast, from where there are regular services on to Dublin Airport. Iron Donkey will be happy to advise on travel arrangements.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  Included in the $3900 tour costs are 20 nights accommodation, all breakfasts, 10 dinners, happy hour refreshments,  cue sheets, maps, gps files, business meetings, luggage transfer, van pickup for emergency use and bike box storage, guide/driver gratuities. The price is calculated on an exchange rate of $1.15 to the Euro. Some fluctuation may occur between now and March 2018, requiring a price adjustment.  Bikes and Garmin GPS units are available for rent from Iron Donkey and arrangements must be made directly with them. Nightly happy hour/business meetings will be held in or near the hotel pubs.  

SINGLES POLICY:  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own.  However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until November 1, 2017 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the $100 BAC fee) or pay the $1050 single supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. 

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The $100 BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
In addition to the BAC Cancellation policy, those who cancel may be subject to Iron Donkey's cancellation policy: If the participant cancels, then the following penalties will apply.
•    Between 90 days and 30 days before departure: 25% of full payment (unless replacement(s) found).
•    Between 30 days before departure and departure: 100% of full payment (unless replacement(s) found).

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY:  Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit ($1000) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. Final payment of $2900 is due no later than March 1, 2018. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.
Mizen to Malin Head (Ireland End to End) – 2018