Photograph by Ger Mooney

Photograph by Ger Mooney

THE GREAT IRISH CYCLE CHALLENGE - MIZEN TO MALIN

The big one - Ireland - end to end - Mizen to Malin - July 20th - 29th 2007

WHY : You have - the fitness, the determination, the stamina
You have said to yourself from time to time "I would love to do it - but...the bike, the route, the (heavy) luggage, the accommodation, the company..."

Now it is all taken care of. Participate in this great 414 mile (663 km) personal challenge knowing that....the bike will have a support van, the route - mostly side roads - will be done for you, the luggage will be carried, the accommodation is looked after - you just check in.
4 nights are spent in hotels with leisure facilities -i.e. swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi - to ease out those tired muscles. But more than that - there is the company of fellow cyclists to tell you that you CAN and WILL do it. So - follow your dreams.... and DO IT !

Cost - including van support, luggage carry and quality accommodation many hotels having " leisure centres" 1/2 board ? 1095.00 (ex. ev. meal on rest day)

If you have been on a previous "Rothar cycle tour" subtract ? 50.00 from the tour price.

Taking your own bike - Subtract ??75.00 from the tour price. Bike MUST be serviced and a.o.k.. Please bring your own spares - tubes - etc.

Customer comment " .....thank you for your support on the end to end - Mizen to Malin tour. C'ant believe I did it thanks to your very good self, the one and only Mr. Quinlan......" Joan O'Connor, Limerick, Ireland

LOGISTICS - getting to the tour - Friday July 20th

Take a bus: www.buseireann.ie
or train: www.irishrail.ie to Cork.

Good train times - ex Dublin -
Heuston 10.40 H 11.00 H 13.00 H
Arr. Cork 13.15 H 13.45 H 15.50 H

Be in Skibbereen for 18.15 H
Bus: Fare: Cork ? Skibbereen ? 15.00
Ex. Cork 14.45H 16.15 H
Arr. Skibb. 16.30 H 18.00 H We will arrange transport to Barley Cove - ex Eldon Hotel Skibbereen at 18.15H ( accross from bus stop) We can arrange bike carry ex Cork or Skibbereen.

Flying in: From U.K. and Europe - see

Getting from the tour ? Sun. July 29th

We will arrange minibus transfer ? folk and bikes to Derry on Sunday morning at 10.00

TRAIN Fare ? Derry to Dublin ? 30.00
Depart Derry 11.10 Arrive Belfast 13.29 H

Dep. Belfast 14.00 H Arr. Dublin 16.00 H
Dep. Belfast 15.00 H Arr. Dublin 17.10H

Flying out: To U.K. and Europe-ex Belfast
www.belfastcityairport.com/ Ex Derry it is www.cityofderryairport.com/
www.belfastcityairport.com/ Direct service to Cork
Dept. 17.40 - arrive Cork 18.50 H Cost app. ? 36.00

Friday July 18th 2008
Meet in our hotel near Barley Cove in West Cork. (Access details - see notes) Have one look at the bikes! Evening meal and overnight. 2** hotel

Saturday July 19th
Depart for 2 mile cycle to Mizen Head. Turn around and set off on the big adventure for the 27 mile cycle by Dunmanus Bay to Bantry - and lunch. Afternoon 25 mile cycle by the quiet and picturesque Coomhola valley. After one 355 ft. pass descend into Kilgarvan. Ev. meal and overnight in Bed and Breakfast accom. Total 54 Miles (87 Km)

Sunday July 20th
To Loo Bridge and and Rathmore - with it?s Cadbury chocolate crumb factory - before turning north east for Kanturk and lunch. The river Blackwater - Munster?s longest river rises near here. (36 miles) . Foillowing the river Allow to Broadford before day's end in Rathkeale. 3*** Hotel overnight

62 miles total (100Km)

Monday July 21st.
Via Croom and Ballyneety to Boher and Newport for lunch 34 miles. On via Ballina and the river Shannon under the Arra Mountains to Portroe. This river is Ireland's longest. A scenic route with Lough Derg on our left. Day's end in Dromineer harbour. Bed and Breakfast accom. 60 miles total (96 Km)

Tuesday July 22nd.
Via Puckaun and Borrisokane to Ballinasloe - famous for its horse fair. Lunch here 38 miles. Continue to Killliglan and Dysart to end in Roscommon town. 65 miles total (104 Km) 3*** Hotel with leisure centre.

Wednesday July 23rd.
Today's journey - the longest day - is mainly through the Lakeland's area of Ireland. Leave Rosscommon for Four Mile House and Strokestown. On to Drumshanbo and lunch. By scenic Lough Allen crossing the - now small - river Shannon at Dowra. Cross the border into Northern Ireland at Blacklion / Belcoo. Finish near Enniskillen town centre late afternoon to Upper Lough Erne with a 4**** hotel - leisure centre and day's end. Total 69 miles (110 km)

Thursday July 24th
A day of rest - Thankfully ! 310 miles (496 Km) cycled so far. Relax in the hotel's leisure complex or walk by the lakeside. In the afternoon stroll into Enniskillen town centre. Visit its Cole's Monument - for a fine overview of the town. Enniskillen Castle has a heritage centre. You may however just like to meander - and relax. You may like to eat in Enniskillen town centre tonight - as your ev. meal is not included on this - your rest day.

Friday July 25th.
Continue northwards by Lower Lough Erne to Ederney. After Castlederg cross the border into south Donegal. After Castlefinn and lunch - at 38 miles -and St Johnstown cycle into Derry town centre via the unusual Craigavon Bridge. It has an upper and lower traffic span - formally one span used to be a railway bridge. Our hotel - a 3 *** with leisure facilities. Total 60 miles (96 Km)

Saturday July 26th
today you do it ! Leaving Derry by the Foyle
(or John Hume) bridge a short ride with Lough Foyle on your right turn inland to Carndonagh. Onwards to Malin town and early lunch at 22 miles. The countdown is on. Just 11 miles later you have reached MALIN HEAD - congratulations. Return to Malin town to overnight and CELEBRATE in our hotel. Ev. meal and overnight. Total 42 miles (67 Km).

Sunday July 27th
After breakfast depart for home. We will arrange taxi share to Derry.
I hope you enjoyed this great cycle - give yourself a pat on the back! Sl?n abhaile. Goodbye.

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