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Bike Route

Bike Route 1 – Brandon Creek, Approx 8 miles, moderate cycling

Round the north western tip of the peninsula, cycling along the coast of Smerwick harbour and back by the foot of Mount Brandon. This area is traditionally known as Paroiste Múrach or the Parish of Moore, whose castle stood on the banks of the Feothanach river.

Along the way you can visit:

Dúinín Pier – where the Gorman family and their neighbours fished for generations,
Feothanach Strand – where the Feothanach river flowing from Mount Brandon goes into the sea – a good place for shore foraging at low tide,
Túr Baile Dháith – park up the bikes and climb to the top of the hill where there are the remains of an old garrison built in the time of Napoleon; great views up to County Clare on a fine day,

Brandon Creek – Cuas a′ Bhodaigh: – from where Saint Brendan is said to have left to discover the Americas around the 6th century; it is thought from the accounts that he landed in Newfoundland,
Baile BhFionnabhrach :- a great ring fort, early farm settlement site bearing some of the earliest signs of habitation on the peninsula,
Com a’ Lochaigh :- A glacier valley cut into the mountain – an old military road goes in for a couple of miles. Another world, though there is a stream to cross!

This trip can take as little as 2 hours or all day!

Bike Route 2 – Around the Parish, Approx 8 miles, Mostly moderate, some hills.

This area is known as ‘Paróiste na Cille’ or the Parish of the Churches. It is the route of ‘The Pilgrims’ Path’. The early monks travelled from Ventry Harbour through Gallarus and Kilmalkeder to Mount Brandon.

The landscape is dotted with early sites both Christian and pre-Christian, probably the most famous being Gallarus Oratory. It is also a great route to take in the flora, fauna and birds of the peninsula

Along the way you can visit:

Baile na nGall, or Ballydavid:- small fishing village, with a couple of south facing sheltered beaches, divided by the pier. There are also two pubs and a Post Office.
Muiríoch Beach:- a long expanse of beach facing westwards. Maybe park up the bikes and

enjoy a stroll, breathing in the great air, watching the light in the sky change. A good place for bird lovers, lots of waders here.

Gallarus Castle:- Norman Castle belonging to the Desmond family – just to be viewed from the outside.
Gallarus Oratory:- in Irish we call it Séipéilín Ghallarais, literally “The Church of the Place of the Foreigners”. This is the one you see on all the guide books, thought to have been built somewhere between the 6th and 8th centuries. There is a very special ceremony here as the sun sets on New Years Eve, and also as the sun rises on Easter Sunday morning. There is a centre here which shows an excellent short film on the archaeology.
Cathair Deargan Ring Fort:- a good example of the kind of homestead of the upper classes in the Early Christian period.
The Chancellor’s House:- a stone-built 2 roomed house from the 15th century, which belonged to the Chancellor of the Diocese of Ardfert.
Kilmalkeder:- Irish Romanesque church. Early ruins on the site show it to be the first settlement of Maolceadair for whom it is named. On the site you have The Alphabet Stone (showing the ancient gaelic ogham letters) and The Sun Dial Stone that was used for telling the time.
Home through Carraig and Baile Loisce with great views of Smerwick Harbour and The Three Sisters.

Bike Route 3 – Slea Head, 25 Miles approx, a longer route, with hills

Taking in the western scenic route of the peninsula. Spectacular views out over the Blasket Islands
25 Miles approx. A longer route, with hills