Tipperary Biking

Holycross Cycle Tour
45kms. ( 28 Miles). Circle cycling route in the area west of Thurles in Co.Tipperary. The route is clearly signposted and is designed to be a 1 day tour of the most interesting sites and scenery in the region. The tour starts and finishes in Thurles. The rural countryside offers a terrain suited to a leisurely cycle.

Cycling Routes from Carrick-on-Suir
Cycling is enjoyed by visitors of all ages to the region, with many
uncrowded and scenic routes passing along the coast and through the
countryside.

1. Carrick-On-Suir-Mahon Bridge-Mahon Falls-Carrick-On-Suir.
Length: 24miles/36km
Highlights: Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains

2. Carrick-On-Suir-Crotty’s Lake-Carrick-On-Suir.
Length: 14miles/24km
Highlights: Crottys Lake in the Comeragh Mountains; View the majestic Comeraghs en route; Hiding place of the 18th century highwayman, Crotty the Robber; Mountain and wooden walks

3. Carrick-on-Suir-Ballyneale-Ballypatrick-Kilcash-Slievenamon-Kilcash-Carrick-On-Suir Length: 13miles/22km
Highlights: Slievenamon (hill of the Women – ideal for hill-walking, with many wooded walks also; panoramic views from summit. On foothills of Slievenamon – ruins of Kilcash Castle built by the Butlers of Ormonde.

4. Carrick-On-Suir-Ballynoran (N24)-Kilsheelan Village-Glencomeragh-Churchtown-Carrick-On-Suir.
Length: 16 miles/27km
Highlights: Tipperary Crystal & Dove Hill Norman Tower Keep at Ballynoran. De La Poer Castle at picturesque riverside village of Kilsheelan. Churchtown Graveyard, burial place of the Gaelic Athletic Association founder member, Maurice Davin.

5. Carrick-On-Suir-Faugheen-Aheeny-Castletown-Carrick-On-Suir
Length: 12 miles/21km
Highlights: 8th century Kilkieran High Crosses with their detailed tracery and interlacing Celtic spirals and patterns; abandoned Victorian slate quarries, the site of the 1992 Sculptors Symposium.

6. Carrick-on-Suir-Mothel-Clonea Power Village-Rathgormack-Carrick-On-Suir
Highlights: Mothel Well – traditional place of pilgrimage with spring water noted for its purity; Church at Clonea-Power village with its Harry Clarke stained glass window.

Further information available from local tourist information office

Slates and Stars and Silvermines
Cycle route through North Tipperary and South Offaly. The slatey highlands, called the Arra Mountains, from the lower east shore of Lough Derg. The route passes old slate quarries along beautiful lake shoreline rising to 120m near Portroe. The most northerly point on the route is Birr where, in 1845, the stars were studied through the biggest telescope in the world, from the gardens of Birr Castle. Roscrea and the Silvermines; which have given their name to a lovely mountain range, from the southwest part of the route.
The Slates, Stars and Silvermines cycle route around Lough Derg and through the Silvermines mountains covers 148km. Slates form the lake and the steepest parts of the cycle and stars were once studied from the gardens of the en route Birr Castle.
A lake drive climbs to 120m near Portroe, passing abandoned slate quarries. After this the road keeps a little back from the lake. The most northerly point on the route is Birr where the superb ground of Birr Castle may be seen. Roscrea, to the south, is a busy town with restored old houses and a castle. The route follows the lower slopes of the Silvermines and is a gentle ride.

The Nenagh Cycleway
Distance: 22 kilometres

Terrain: Flat inland route apart from a few short easy climbs.

Traffic: Mostly light, but can get busy on the approach road to Nenagh.

This easy-going cycleway starts at Nenagh , outside the courthouse, and passes through high-hedged almost traffic-free roads until it reaches Dromineer. Before setting off, there is an opportunity to have a look round the ruin of Nenagh Castle, built by the Butler family in 1217.
The route follows a winding network of narrow country roads along the Nenagh River and is signposted throughout. On the way to Dromineer, you link up with the Lough Derg Cycleway. Dromineer is a bustling harbour village and an ideal stop-off point for refreshments. On the return trip to Nenagh, the road climbs back through hedge-lined country heartland through Ballycommon before joining the rather busy R495 that takes you back into the town.

This is an ideal trip for visitors staying over in the town or for cyclists who want to break from their journey around Lough Derg, at Nenagh.

Tours from Cashel
Self guided Bike touring in the countryside of South Tipperary is a must with so many enchanting villages, warm and quaint family hostelries to visit and enjoy.

1. Cashel-Golden-Tipperary-Aherlow-Bansha-Cahir-Cashel. (42 miles/67km). Glen of Aherlow. Forest Parks.

2. Cashel-Clonmel-Cahir-New Inn-Cashel. (37miles/59km).

Highlights: Tolling parkland. County Museum, Clonmel. Museum of Transport –Richmond Hill. St Patrick’s Well (1.5miles from Clonmel Town centre on Cahir Road.) River scenery. Marlfield Nature Reserve.

Tours from Clonmel
Bike past streams and waterfalls in scenic countryside of South Tipperary on your self guided bicycle tour.

1. Clonmel-Kilsheelan-Carrick-On-Suir-Fiddown-return south bank of River Suir-Carrick-On-Suir-Clonmel. (42miles/67km).
HighLights: Forest and river valley scenery.

2. Clonmel-Clogheen-Cahir-Clonmel (34miles/54km).
Highlights: Mountains views and stunning scenery and quaint villages.

3. Clonmel-Cappoquin-Lismore-Clogheen-Ardfinnan-Clonmel. (56miles/89km).
Highlights: Mountains and valleys. Nire Valley. The Vee. Lismore Castle and Gardens. Lismore Heritage Centre.

4. Clonmel-Nine-Mile-House-Mullinahone-Cloneen-Fethard-Clonmel. (37 miles/59km).
Highlights: Norman Castle. Historic Inn –the Grand Inn, Nine-Mile-House. Ancient High Cross. Charles Kickham memorial – Mullinahone. Historic Walled Town and Transport Museum, Fethard.

Tours from Cahir
Enchanting villages, warm and quaint family hostelries, quiet country roads, and simply spectacular scenery await you on your self guided tour.

1. Cahir-Mitchelstown-Ballyporeen-Clogheen-Cahir
Length: 37miles/59km
Highlights: Cahir Castle, Mitchelstown Cave, Ronald Reagan Centre, Ballyporeen, Burncourt

2. Cahir-Ardfinnan-Newcastle-Clogheen-Cahir
Length: 23miles/36km
Highlights: Beautiful river and mountain scenery, Swiss Cottage, Parsons Glen, Clogheen