Riding Stats (Link to Tom’s Strava)
Accommodations (daily mileage, elevation, etc.)
Route Tracker (track our northbound ride on a Google Map)
The sun came back to County Mayo today and with it brought shadows.
Three weeks of cycling around Ireland’s west coast and nine more to go. It’s been unforgettable.
I’ll get to today’s ride but first, let’s get to a Pint Size Review of our Pub of the Day that I’ve been just “dying” to share with you: McConnell’s Bar & Undertakers
Pictured above is Padraig Conroy, owner, undertaker and politician who welcomes people into McDonnell’s with a handshake and a pint.
His grandparents, Michael and Elizabeth McDonnell, established the family pub in 1942 and Padraig inherited it in 2002. It’s known locally as “The Lobster Pot” because once you get in, it’s difficult to get out. We can vouch for that. 🤣
In talking to Padraig, he has a fierce pride in Belmullet and the surrounding area. And he was quick to ask if we flew to Ireland on Aer Lingus because McDonnell’s was featured in the documentary series called A Proper Pint, that was offered on the plane.
We’re not the only ones to raise a pint in recognizing McDonnell’s as something special. It was also named among Ireland’s top 10 pubs in the Sunday Times’ 2025 list, and in 2026 Padraig Conroy won Pub of the Year for Mayo at the Irish Restaurant Awards.
All this and he took the time to personally greet us and make us feel right at home here in Belmullet.
As far as cycling we’ve had no steep climbs to contend with for the past week and today was no different. We enjoyed breezy country riding on roads as smooth as Irish butter sliding over a hot skillet.
Also wanted to comment on the many Marian grottoes in Ireland. I think we’ve pedaled past at least one every day and again, today was no different.💙
Today we cycled through Bangor and Bunnahowen.
Click on the link below to view today’s video:
