Sport Ireland Tour de Burren

The Sport Ireland Tour de Burren returns on June 16th & 17th, 2017.

This is the 14th year of the Tour de Burren as a sportif, and in 2014, the event was voted by Cycling Ireland Members of which there are over 23,000, as the best leisure cylcling event in Ireland, and won the European Sports Tourism Award in 2015.

The event will feature four loops:

The 10km Family Loop is a popular route for all ages. It is usually c8 km around beautiful Ballyvaughan. This route will leave Ballyvaughan in the direction of Lisdoonvarna. It will then travel up to the Ailwee Cave where there will be a much needed rest. The final leg of the journey will bring you to Ballyvaughan via the green road where there will be ice cream and face painting.

The 62km Burren Circuit is a beautiful bike ride in the Burren. 1 Food / water stop in Lisdoonvarna – 32km This is one of our three new routes for this year. Leaving the village of Ballyvaughan, you will travel towards Lisdoonvarna. will take a left turn (after 1.5km) and signposted for Aillwee Cave) for the first climb of the day, Ballyalban Hill (5.5km). This is a great climb with wonderful scenery of the pure rugged Burren. At the summit, you will travel the undulating roads passing the famous Poulnabrone Dolman (Neolithic) and Caherconnell Stone Fort (medieval). After c.16km, you will come to Leamanagh Castle (15th Century) where you will take a right hand turn and travel towards the famous Kilfenora. From here, you will take a right and travel towards Lisdoonvarna (@32km), where you will be greeted with delights such as Cheescake and salmon & brown bread. To burn of these well deserved calories, your final leg of the day will be along the spectacular North Clare section of the Wild Atalntic Way.

The 104km Heart of the Burren Route is breathtaking cycle through a breathtaking landscape. 1 Food and Water Stop at 50km in Lisdoonvarna This is one of our three new routes for this year. Leaving the village of Ballyvaughan, you will travel towards Lisdoonvarna. will take a left turn (after 1.5km) and signposted for Aillwee Cave) for the first climb of the day, Ballyalban Hill (5.5km). This is a great climb with wonderful scenery of the pure rugged Burren. At the summit, you will travel the undulating roads passing the famous Poulnabrone Dolman (Neolithic) and Caherconnell Stone Fort (medieval). After c.16km, you will come to Leamanagh Castle (15th Century) where you will travel towards the village of Corofin and then a right for a short climb up Elmvale.  From here you will cycle onto the historical town of Kilfenora (of which the Pope is the Bishop!). From Kilfenora, you will make your way through country roads to the your food stop at Lisdoonvarna (c.44 km)  At this point, if you wish to catch the Ireland v Belgium match in Ballyvaughan, please follow the route or the 60km cycle. Other wise, you will travel towards Ennistymon, where just after the village of Kilshanny, you will take a pleasant ride to the star of your Wild Atlantic Way journey, taking in the small fishing port of Liscannor and the world famous Cliffs of Moher (4km). From the summit of the Cliffs, you will make your way home to Ballyvaughan via Ballynalacken Castle and the gorgeous Fanore and Black Head.

The 152km Burnin Burren Route is a tough 152km through the World Unesco site with a call to Fr. Teds!Feed Station 63km, Food station 99km and 130km. This is one of our three new routes for this year. Leaving the village of Ballyvaughan, you will travel towards Lisdoonvarna. will take a left turn (after 1.5km) and signposted for Aillwee Cave) for the first climb of the day, Ballyalban Hill (5.5km). This is a great climb with wonderful scenery of the pure rugged Burren. At the summit, you will travel the undulating roads passing the famous Poulnabrone Dolman (Neolithic) and Caherconnell Stone Fort (medieval). After c.15km, you will take a left passing the birthplace of Michael Cusack, one of the founding fathers of the GAA. For the next c. 20km you will have a pleasant ride, descending all the time to the sea. Once you get to the sea, you will take a right along the ‘New Line’ and travel this straight stretch for c.8km until you will take a left turn towards ‘Gort’ and more specifically Kilmacduagh the now ruined 7th century monastery which boasts the tallest round tower in Europe. This will be your first food stop and boy will you want it! Following this leap back in time, you will travel towards Boston (Ireland!) and then onto t Fr.Teds! (c.63km) Here you can get your selfies. After the chat Mrs Doyle, you will make your way to the village of Kilnaboy, where your will take a left heading to the village of Corofin and then an immediate right for a short climb up Elmvale.  From here you will cycle onto the historical town of Kilfenora (of which the Pope is the Bishop!). From Kilfenora, you will make your way through country roads to the your 2nd  food stop at Lisdoonvarna (c.93km). We are well known for our lovely cheesecake and salmon and brown bread! You will travel towards Ennistymon, where just after the village of Kilshanny, you will take a pleasant ride to the star of your Wild Atlantic Way journey, taking in the small fishing port of Liscannor and the world famous Cliffs of Moher (4km). From the summit of the Cliffs, you will make your way back to the second food stop in Lisdoonvarna (123km). After your second top up of Cheesecake, you will head home to Ballyvaughan via Ballinalacken Castle and the gorgeous Fanore and Black Head.

The Tour de Burren 2017 will take place on the 17th June in Ballyvaughan, County Clare. Register now at https://register.primoevents.com/ps/event/TourdeBurren

The 10km Family Cycle takes place on Friday the 16th June at 7.00pm in Ballyvaughan. There is no need to pre-register, just turn up. €3 per participant.

For further information and any queries relating to the Sport Ireland Tour de Burren 2017 please contact:

Clare Sports Partnership
Unit 1 Westgate Business Park
Kilrush Road
Ennis
Co. Clare
Ireland

T: +353 (0) 65 686 5434
E: info@claresportspartnership.ie
W: http://tourdeburren.com