Wild craic in Kerry on Atlantic Way Cycle

IT might only be in its inaugural staging – but if the reception it received in Kerry is anything to go by, the Wild Atlantic Way Cycle Sportif will be back in 2018.

Having set off from Kinsale last week, the cycle entered Kerry on Friday (September 15) as it wound its way from Bantry to Sneem. Since then, it’s travelled along Kerry’s coast in stages from Cahersiveen to Dingle to Listowel, and Keith Mongan of cycle organisers Ride Wild said the response from the people of Kerry was “absolutely brilliant”.

“This cycle is a way of promoting the brilliant 2,500-kilometre Wild Atlantic Way route as a cycling destination, and the people of Kerry really got behind us,” he said.

“Because it’s such a long route over 17 days, only a handful of cyclists are doing the whole thing, but these include Dingle’s Seán O’Sullivan and Padraic Brennan of The Lobster in Waterville. But up to almost 60 people join us on each stage, and these have so far included Minister Brendan Griffin, who cycled from Sneem to Cahersiveen.

“We support good causes throughout the route, and during our time in Kerry we have supported the likes of Banna Inshore Rescue, Derrynane Inshore Rescue, and Valentia RNLI. We’re delighted with how its gone so far, and I’m absolutely confident we’ ll be back next year,” he added.

The cycle will finish on the Inishowen Peninsula, Donegal, on Friday week, and further information on participation between now and then is at wildatlanticwaycyclesportif.ie.

Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan Mikey Joe Burns (centre) runs a bike shop in Sneem and his kitchen is a well known spot where friends and cyclists drop in for a chat and a cup of tea. It was the appropriate venue to start Stage 4 of the Inaugural Wild Atlantic Way Cycle Sportif which travelled along Kerry’s three peninsulas at the weekend. Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, shared tea and brack with WildRide Cycling Tour Director, Michael O’Boyle, left, Michael Fitzsimons, Programme Manager, Wild Atlantic Way, and Declan Murphy, Fáilte Ireland.

Tralee Triathlon Club on stage 6 on the Dingle Peninsula. From left, Tommy Commane, Sinéad Stafford, Cian Hogan, Liane McCarthy, Damien Morrison.

Des O’Shea, Skellig Discovery Coast, Castlecove, climbing Coomanaspig Mountain, on the Skellig Ring, with a view of Skellig Michael and Skellig Beag.

BELOW: Seán Ó Suilleabhaín, Dingle and Padraig Brennan, Waterville.