Riding Stats (Link to Tom’s Strava)
Accommodations (daily mileage, elevation, etc.)
Route Tracker (track our northbound ride on a Google Map)
If it would have been a week ago, we wouldn’t have found ANY lodging inside or outside for the Irish Open was played in Doonbeg, our destination for today.
The direct route to Doonbeg from our pod was a mere 16k away however we had some cycling to do. Today we were riding the Loop Head route all the way down to the end of the peninsula and back up again.
Included on the route was Carrigaholt Castle and the Kilkee Cliffs. The only issue was the wicked wind (and of course there is always rain).
First we had to ride against a southerly down to the bottom. That actually wasn’t the worst (for me). It was the gusts up at Kilkee Cliffs that were challenging with a loaded bike including a frame bag that tends to act like a sail that doesn’t give when the gusts hit. Nevertheless, we wouldn’t have missed this loop for anything. It was quintessential west County Clare and absolutely unforgettable.
First the tower house… Carrigaholt Castle was built in the late 1400’s for the last of the great Gaelic chieftans, MacMahon, and it overlooks the River Shannon estuary. It’s a fitting piece of land for such a majestic structure.
After reading about the tower house, there’s a longggg history of political struggles associated with it including a conflict with seven ships of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and then not long after a rebellion with England, whereby the castle fell into English hands after a four day siege.
Apparently Teige Caech “the short sighted” MacMahon then retreated from his castle and ancestral lands to the Beara Peninsula (remember we cycled there a week or so ago). The story goes on and on so if you’re into history, I encourage you to learn more. I know I will when I get home.
Subsequent to MacMahon’s retreat, ownership of Carrigaholt changed hands several times and today it’s serves a monument reminding visitors once again of Ireland’s treasured history.
Tom and I had the place to ourselves on this windy, rainy day.
We reached the bottom of the peninsula and gratefully started pedaling northeast with a tailwind toward Kilkee Cliffs. We didn’t know much about them but WOW! Sharing a few pics below but there is so much more to see in the video.
And finally our Pint Size Review of our Pub of the Day.🍺
Although today’s pub is about the same age as Buggles in Kilrush, Tubridy’s Pub has been renovated in such a way, it no longer appears to be what you might think of as an “Irish Pub”.🙃 I’m sure there are good reasons for this but, just sayin.
Of course, the Guinness is just as tasty, but it reminded me of a Ground Round without the peanut shells on the floor. So for ambiance, I’d rate it a one shamrock.☘️
As a side note, this Tubirdy family owned pub has a son named David who is the all time leading football (rugby) scorer in County Clare in the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) and that makes sense with all of the local sports paraphernalia on the walls. So that’s cool!
Also, apparently the pub gained notoriety when Donald Trump’s sons visited there in 2019. Dad’s gold course and hotel are in the neib.
Even tho the pub atmosphere was lacking, the beer was still tasty so Tubridy’s “scored a try” with us for being one of the first rugby pubs we’ve visited.
Towns we cycled through today: Doonaha, Carrigaholt and Killki
Click on the image below to view today’s video:
Keep Calm and Pedal On 