Riding Stats (Link to Tom’s Strava)
Accommodations (daily mileage, elevation, etc.)
Route Tracker (track our northbound ride on a Google Map)
Oh My-O, Oh Mayo how great it was to meet you! County Sligo you have a lot to live up to. ☘️
From the conservatory of our stay at Stella Maris we could see Downpatrick Head and the giant land form just off its coast. We knew we had to have a look for ourselves. And indeed, that was our first stop of the day.
Dun Briste (Broken Fort) is a huge 150 foot sea stack rising from the Atlantic Ocean near Downpatrick Head. It’s covered with lush green grass, surrounded by crashing waves and was actually once connected to the mainland.
Long ago, people lived and farmed on the tip of Downpatrick Head until a violent storm in 1393 severed it from the mainland, leaving its inhabitants stranded on the newly formed sea stack. To be honest, I can’t imagine what was going through their heads when that happened.
They were reportedly rescued using ropes from ships, but still. All they had was lost on the sea stack.
That story was confirmed when researchers later discovered remains of stone buildings, field walls, and evidence of cultivation, confirming that this seemingly impossible place was once home to a small community.
We reached Dun Briste right after the rain and the bluebird skies made the ocean seem even bluer and more dramatic.
We cycled a “V” today (looking at you Victoria👀) and on some nice rural bike trails.
Hard to believe soon our northbound journey will come to an end in Derry.
We popped into Gilroy’s for our Pub of the Day Pint Size Review. The pub itself was no McDonnell’s but the view was 💯.
So if you’re lucky enough to enjoy a pint while looking at Killala Bay with a Guinness in hand you’re lucky enough. ☘️ Slainte!
Towns we cycled trough today included Ballina and Killala.
Click on the image below to view more pics and videos:
