Updated 21 Jun 2010

Circuit of Ireland 1990

See Author's websites

Circuit of Ireland by bicycle

10 May - 11 June 1990

In 1990 I wrote:
"While a student, with bicycle and friend, I discovered the magic of Ireland in 1960. The next year I returned with my brother of 16. Newly graduated, I hoped to cycle the Circuit of Ireland before a working career brought an end to long holidays. He found the going hard and my enthusiasm over ardent. We started at Cork, but quarreled at Tra-na-Rosann and left through Larne, the Circuit not Complete. Since then my bike and I have explored most corners of this lovely Island. Still I yearn for the consumation of the Circuit. Now 50, less fit but enthusiastic, circumstances permit the realisation of a dream of 30 years. A third age brings a long holiday away from the madding crowd. May the gods smile on my enthusiasm this time"

Later in 1990 I wrote again:
"I did it! In 28 days, 1559 miles, 21 Hostels, 7 B&Bs. Weather generally good, 5 punctures, 2 broken spokes."

In 2010 I write:
Now I am 70, my brother says he would like to have a go at the Circuit himself next year, what route did I take? So I dig out my old logbook, and use it to knock up this website, and put it online to help him. Good luck little brother, send me a postcard from Slieveleague!

Contact the author on for more information.

Route | Some photos | Logbook | Bike Problems | Poems | Weather | Kit | Hostels | Log 1961

Route in red dots, overnights in large red dots, total miles in blue

DAY
Date
Weather

ROUTE

miles

1

May 10
Rain
Poole - Oxford - Wolverhampton - Crewe - Holyhead -
LLandudno - Dunleary - DUBLIN YH

10

2

May 11
Sun
Dublin - Enniskerry - Glendalough - Laragh -
Drumgoff -AGHAVANNNAGH YH

47

3

May 12
Sun
Aughavannagh - Aughrim - Shillelagh - Carnew - Ferns -
Enniscorthy - Adamstown- New Bawn - Gusserane - ARTHURSTOWN YH

75

4

May 13
Cloud
Passage East - Taramore - Annestown - Bunmahon -
Dungarvon - Annestown - Cappoquin - LISMORE YH

60

5

May 14
Rain
Tallow - Rathcormac - Cork - Belgooley - KINSALE YH

56

6

May 15
Rain
Ballinspittle - Timoleague - Clonakilty - Rosscarbery -
Leap - Skibbereen - Baltimore - CAPE CLEAR YH

52

7

May 16
Wind
Skibbereen - Ballydehob - Schull - Goleen - Mizzen Head -
Goleen - Dunmanus - DURRUS B&B

60

8

May 17
Sun
Ahakista - Kilcrohane - Ballroon -Sheeps Head -
(Goulado - Bantry) - GLENGARRIF B&B

28

9

May 18
Sun
Adrigole - Castletownbere - Dursey - Allihies -
Eyeries - GLANMORE LAKE YH

73

10

May 19
Cloud
Kenmare - Sneem - Parknasilla - Cahirdaniel - Waterville -
Ballinskelligs - Portmagee - Knightstown - VALENTIA YH

85

11

May 20
Cloud
Portmagee - Cahirciveen - Kells - Glenbeigh - Kiloglin -
Castlemaine - INCH B&B

59

12

May 21
Sun
Anascaul - Dingle - Ventry - Slea Head - DUNQUIN YH

30

13

May 22
Sun
Ballyferiter - Dingle - Conor Pass - Camp - Tralee -
Listowel - Tarbert - KILRUSH B&B

80

14

May 23
Wind
Creegh - Milltown Malbay - Quilty - Lahinch - Ennistimion -
kilfenora - LISDOONVARNA YH

40

15

May 24
Sun
Ballyvaughn - Kinvara - Kilcolgan - Galway - Salthill -
Spiddle - INVERIN YH

63

16

May 25
Sun, T wind
Maam Cross - Lenane - WESTPORT YH

52

17

May 26
Sun, T wind
Newport - Mulrany - Ballycroy - Bangor Erris - Glenamoy -
POLLATOMISH YH

52

18

May 27
sun, S wind
Ballycastle - Killala - Ballina - Skibereen - Beltra -
Ballysadare - SLIGO YH

78

19

May 28
Sun, T wind
Ballyshannon - Bundoran - Donegal - BALL HILL YH

44

20

May 29
Drizzle, mist
Mountcharles - Dunkineeley - Killybegs - Carrick -
Bunglas - Slieveleague - TEELIN B&B

40

21

May 30
Cloud, sun
Glencolumbkille - Glengesh Pass - Ardara - Kilclooney -
Maas - Lettermacaward - Derrydruel - Meenacross - CROHY HEAD YH

51

22

May 31
Cloud, T wind
Dunglow - Gweedore - Dunlewy - Cashel - Carrigart -
Downings - TRA-NA-ROSANN YH

50

23

Jun 01
Cloud, showers
Carrigart - Milford - Letterkenny - LONDONDERRY B&B

51

24

Jun 02
Cloud, T wind
Limavady - Coleraine - Portrush - Giants Causeway -
Bushmills - Ballintoy - WHITE PARK BAY YH

55

25

Jun 03
Rain, T wind
Ballycastle - Cushandall - Ballypatrick Forest -
Carnlough - Ballygalley - Larne - Carrickfergus - BELFAST YH

79

26

Jun 04
Sun, S wind
Newtownards - Greyabbey - Portaferry - Strangford -
Minerstown - Ardglass - Clough - NEWCASTLE YH

60

27

Jun 05
Rain, H wind
Kilkeel - Warrenpoint - Newry - OMEATH YH

40

28

Jun 06
Rain, H wind
Carlingford - Dundalk - Castlebellingham - Dunleer -
Drogheda - Dowth - NEWGRANGE B&B

51

29

Jun 07
Cloud, S wind
Drogheda - Naul - Ballyboghil - DUBLIN YH

38

30

Jun 08
Rain, wind
DUBLIN YH

0

31

Jun 09
Cloud
DUBLIN YH

0

32

Jun 10
Cloud
DUBLIN YH

0

33

Jun 11
Sun
Dunlaoghaire - Holyhead - Crewe - Smethwick - Oxford -
Reading - POOLE

8

DAY
Date
Weather

ROUTE

1,567

Planned, cycled, written, typed, formatted, hyperlinked, encoded, and copyright © 2010, . All Rights Reserved.