Day 7

Maldwyn and Clyde took the straightforward road to Sligo, the N15, while the others took the official cycleroute (part of the North-west Trail). This proved to be quite arduous for, although there were no serious hills, we were riding into a relentless headwind for most of the journey. This beautiful mountain is Benbulben, seen shortly before Sligo. Other pics: our bikes on the train to Dublin; O'Connell's statue, Dublin; the Spire of Dublin, O'Connell Street; Ryanair HQ, Dublin Airport.

Day 6

Some pictures of Donegal, at the end of today's ride: monument in the town center; harbor.

Day 5

Only a short ride today, to a brand new, purpose-built An Óige hostel, Errigal, also in County Donegal. Just as well: it rained much of the time and we were riding into the wind a lot. Photo-opportunity somewhere on the road, before the rain, and a picture of the Errigal mountain, after the rain.

Day 4

A political relic from the twentieth century and cannon from the seventeenth century, defending the city of Derry. We saw this loco on the Foyle Valley Railway as we left Derry on NCR92. This sandy bay was at Downies on the Rosghuill peninsular, where we had a wonderful meal with a glass of wine. Finally, our hostel for the night, a building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and donated to An Óige (Irish equivalent of the YHA), situated in a remote and windswept corner of the north Donegal coast.

Day 3

Day 3 was when three of us got punctures, riding on the pavement into Coleraine, next to a recently clipped hawthorn hedge. But we didn't mind because earlier in the day we had visited the Bushmills distillery and were suitably fortified! This beautiful seascape is on the north Antrim coast. The Peace Bridge across the Foyle is not quite ready.

Day 2

Excellent breakfast to start us off.

Then proceeding through the wind, rain and hail to Bushmills for a look at the Giants Causeway. It became apparent to me that all the photos of the causeway I'd seen in the past used a clever camera angle to make the Stones seem larger than they are. Good to see though.

Stayed in Bushmills which must be one of most rundown places I've seen. The Sportsman pub offers "good fun" and "cold drinks" as its selling points. I'd have thought cold drinks was the minimum you expect from a pub so we decided not to test the fun.

Day one

Three of us set off at 10 from the palatial Paddys Palace in Belfast. 1 mile later we were stopped for a coffee break!

Exceptional gale force winds meant loads of trees down and VERY hard work cycling SW.

Eventually reached Lough Neagh where the waves were breaking. Stayed at the excellent Bay Cottage B&B.