An Slí Mór (Clonfert Demesne Bog and Turoe Stone Variant)

Cycle route approximating An Slí Mór (The Great Way), an ancient route from Dublin to Clarinbridge along An Eiscir Riada (a gravel ridge through the midland bogs left by glaciation). Route is based on the maps contained in the book A Road on the Long Ridge by Hermann Geissel (http://crsbooks.net). Extended the trip to the train station in Galway and the Spanish Arch.

Geissel's book contains plenty of interesting information on the route. Reading it and then bringing it on the trip would be a good idea to get the most out of it.

I've tried to balance this cycle route to both follow An Slí Mór while minimising extraneous cycling.

The section through Dublin follows the Grand Canal to Clondalkin to keep things simple. The original route does not follow the canal (which did not exist), passing through Dolphin's Barn, Drimnagh, Bluebell Church, Walkinstown, Red Cow before arriving at the monastery in Clondalkin via the Monastery Road.

I've added about 3km to the trip on the approach to Clonmacnoise to keep to the top of the ridge, which is a more old-world approach to what was once a major centre and crossing point of the Shannon. No ferries operate there now, necessitating a trip south to Shannonbridge to cross the river. It would be shorter to approach Clonmacnoise on the regional road (R444).

This route does not follow Hermann Geissel's route through Ballinasloe and on to Clarinbridge. His route crosses the Shannon at Clonmacnoise. Since this isn't possible without a ferry this route goes south to cross at Shannonbridge. Rather than go back up north again I've tried to keep heading in the rough direction of the Turoe Stone and Clarinbridge by going through the Clonfert Demesne Bog. I haven't been able to verify online whether this land is accessible to the public. It's an area of conservation and mechanically-propelled vehicles are not permitted. Even though this doesn't forbid bicycles it is suggested that while not on roads here you walk the bike. The (disused?) railway bridge may not be safe so use common sense - you use this route at your own risk. The Turoe Stone is one of the finest examples of La Tène art in Ireland and should be worth seeing. See the Places of Interest section for more detail.

Routes through forests may not be suitable for road bikes, bikes with very skinny tyres or may be completely inaccessible. These can be easily circumvented, however - pushing the bike or a road route may be needed for the following sections:
* Grand Canal towpath, Adamstown to Hazelhatch (km 14 - 19)
* Donadea Forest Park (km 35 - 37)
* Durrow Demesne (km 95 - 99)
* Clonfert Demesne Bog (km 142 - 144)
* Dunsandle Wood (km 183 - 185)
* Kilcornan Wood (km 200 - 203)


Places of Interest:
* Christchurch Cathedral (km 0): It's old!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church_Cathedral,_Dublin)
* Clondalkin round tower (km 9.5): One of the best-preserved round towers in Ireland.
http://roundtowers.org/clondalkin/index.htm
* Taghadoe round tower and church ruins (km 27): As with many round towers, this one no longer has its original roof.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taghadoe
* Donadea Castle (km 36): http://www.megalithicireland.com/Donadea%20Castle.html
* Timahoe Quaker Cemetery (km 43): Richard Nixon's maternal ancestors are buried here.
http://seamuscullen.net/american_president.html
* Carbury Castle (km 55, hill behind town): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbury
* Edenderry Castle (km 61): In poor condition, definitely skippable.
http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/offaly/edenderry/edenderry.html
* Croghan Hill (km 78): A 234m extinct volcano offering views of the surrounding countryside. The hill and area around it feature several archaeological sites, including graveyards, a fortified house and a deserted settlement. The well-preserved bog body Old Croghan Man was found in this area:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croghan_Hill
* Rahugh Ridge (km 87 - 89): Prominent esker
http://www.crsbooks.net/personal/heritage/landscapes/geological/eskers.html
* Rahugh Motte (km 89): Where The Great Midlands Corridor (route from the north-east to the south-west taking in Tara) crossed An Slí Mór. The 859AD assembly at Rahugh took place at this site.
http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/printable/17770
* Durrow high cross (km 96): Fine example of an Irish high cross. St. Colmcille's holy well is also located on the site.
http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Durrow.htm
* Clonmacnoise (km 132): Large monastic settlement founded in 546AD at the busy crossing point of An Slí Mór and the river Shannon. The most significant site on the route.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonmacnoise
* Shannonbridge fortifications (km 140): Part of the fortifications built along the Shannon to repel a possible Napoleonic invasion. The fort is now a restaurant.
http://www.theoldfortrestaurant.com
* River Suck railway bridge (km 143): Hopefully cross the Suck here!
* The Turoe Stone (km 178): Decorated with La Tène art, one of the finest examples in Ireland.
http://www.mythicalireland.com/ancientsites/turoe/index.html
* Dunsandle Castle (km 185): Privately-run castle with entrance fee.
http://www.dunsandlecastle.com/about.html
* Spanish Arch (km 224): Remnant of the city wall and popular meeting spot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Arch


Refreshments (* = town, A = Accommodation, C = Café, P = Pub, R = Restaurant, S = Shop, T = Take-Away):
* Christchurch (km 0): ACPRST
* Clondalkin (km 9): ACPRST
Hazelhatch (km 18): P
* Celbridge (km 21): ACPRST
?Staplestown? (km 38): ?S?
Carbury (km 55): P
* Edenderry (km 61): APRST
Rhode (km 73): PS
?Croghan? (km 78): ?S?
* Clara (km 104): ACPST
Ballycumber (km 109): PS
Clonmacnoise (km 132): C
* Shannonbridge (km 140): APRST
Laurencetown (km 151): PRS
Kiltormer (km 157): P
Bullaun (km 177): PS
Turoe House (km 178): C
* Craughwell (km 192): PST
* Clarinbridge (km 208): ACPRST
* Oranmore (km 214): ACPRST
* Galway (km 223): ACPRST