My 5 day cycling challenge: Mizen to Malin 2022 – is nearly here. And I can’t wait: Wed 1st June to Sunday 5th June. Postponed twice because of the Covid19 epidemic. But we are good to go this day two weeks. Thinking back to my last M2M (in the other direction), finished 4 years ago at Mizen Head.
Mizen to Malin 2022 and Breast Cancer Ireland 8
With whom am I doing this?
Up to 85 of us – all member of Kilmacud Crokes are doing the 5 day cycle. This is the biggest number we have had to date. We will be divided into 5 groups on the road – and looking forward to being in the middle group, I think. We have all trained together throughout the winter and spring.
Sunday spin
The funds raised
We are raising funds jointly for Breast Cancer Ireland and our club development fund. I am very excited to be raising money for Breast Cancer Ireland again – unfortunately I know too many friends who have been impacted by this awful disease. So important to raise awareness, raise money and fund ongoing research.
Sponsors
We have so many generous sponsors – over 40 have placed advertisements on the jersey we will wear. And our lead sponsor again for the whole event is Nissan Ireland.
The route
Day 1: we will set out by bus on wednesday morning at 4.00am from Stillorgan, heading for our start point: Mizen Head. Day 1 we will cycle from Mizen Head to Killarney – over the Caha Pass and Moll’s Gap. Great test on Day 1.
The Bus in 2016 – one bus used to be enough!
Day 2 (Thursday): cycle 130km from Killarney to Lahinch. Catch the ferry along the way. Already looking forward to getting into the sea to cool off having completed 2 days.
Catching the ferry 2016
Day 3 (Friday): cycle gets longer: 150km from Lahinch to Kiltimagh.
Day 4 (Saturday): Longest day’s cycling: 180km from Kiltimagh to Letterkenny. Am sure we will have an extra early start. By then my bike and I will have become very well reacquainted.
Day 5 (Sunday): Shortest spin of the week: 80km: but finish with that particularly nasty little incline up to Malin Head.
Made it in 2016 – now just need to repeat!
Your chance to sponsor my cycle
I would really appreciate your sponsoring my cycle. This will be my third time doing M2M – and I have always been very generously supported . Great cause: please go to my fundraising page and donate whatever you can. Many thanks in advance.
Great memories of 2016 and 2018
Great Mizen to Malin in 2016Our subgroup just before leaving Malin Head in 2018
Having been a member of St. Anne’s for almost 20 years am biased – love Irish golf links. And last week was a rare treat – got to play both Royal Dublin and The Island.
Royal Dublin
Royal Dublin is located within 15 minutes of the city centre – on Dublin Bay. This is a wonderful links – and a great challenge for any golfer. Great clubhouse, practice facilities, catering and pro shop – for starters. And the home of the great Christy O’Connor Snr, R.I.P. for so many years. When you walk out from the clubhouse to the first tee you have an immediate sense of what is ahead. A gentle introductory par 4 – but you straight away have a sense of tight lies, undulating greens, fescue grass, deep bunkers.
People will tell you Royal Dublin suffers from being straight out for 9 and straight back for 9. This is not true. In fact the first par 3 brings you back in the direction of the club house. The second par 3 is at an angle and the ninth plays across the course. And again on the back nine you play both directions. The beauty of the course is that each hole is self contained – almost feels private.
When you see the size of the teeing area at the 11th – you get a sense of how well designed, built and maintained this links is. And you will need to keep some energy for 17 and 18 – what a great finish (18 offering full risk/reward across the garden).
If you have not played Royal Dublin do yourself a favour – and bring your top game.
The Island
This is a stunning links – set in amongst high dunes. Located across on the northside of the Malahide estuary and accessed via road to Donabate. About 15 mins from Dublin Airport. Should be on all golf tourists’ agenda.
From hole one you arethreading the ball through dunes, playing of real links lies and learning about the issues of fast run off areas at most greens.
I have heard some criticism in respect of a limited number of blind shots. I would have none of this – not when balanced with the quality of the links and the test of golf. Take a caddy or do some research beforehand.
And enjoy the 205m, all carry par 3 on the back nine – water and O/B on the right. For our three ball it was a three wood or driver on the day.
This links compares very favourably with all the greats – reminded me of Murvagh (Donegal), Ross’s (Sligo) and Enniscrone in particular.
Make the trip and enjoy. This will test you. And you will be very unlucky if you do not experience o fresh sea breeze, testing your play throughout your round.
Not sure how many golf courses we have in Ireland. But we are blessed for variety, ease of access and value for money. And as the wind changes the courses change. One day play a nine iron the next a driver to a par 3. And, in general, the quality is very high – given a knowledgeable and demanding golfing population.
The Open at Royal Portrush
We recently saw Shane Lowry win The Open, played at Royal Portrush. Wonderful venue for large crowds with outstanding viewing. I was lucky enough to get to play Portrush last year – for any keen golfer you need to make time to get a round at Portrush.
Not all about the ‘big name’ courses
Golf is a popular game in Ireland. And we have a very knowledgeable and demanding playing base. This has driven very high standards across all clubs. Golf is also accessible – and, in general, you can play almost any course. There are open competitions in all parts of the country, thoughout the year. These competitions provide a great opportunity to play courses at a very reasonable cost. And there are now many different membership options – be that full member, 5 day member, leased membership, junior, family, whatever.
Naas Golf Club
First tee at Naas Golf Club
Recently had the opportunity to play at Naas Golf Club (originally founded 1896). Beautiful layout, wonderful condition, challenging dog legs, changes of elevation, tree lined fairways, water, fast greens. And all followed by an excellent bar and catering facilities.
But this has been my experience thoughout the country – be it Mitchellstown in Co. Cork, Powerscourt in Wicklow, Castlebar in Co. Mayo, Dooks in Co. Kerry, Waterford Castle in Co. Waterford, Nairn & Portnoo in Co. Donegal or wherever you happen to drop in to play golf in Ireland. Expect a well presented course, friendly and informative staff and welcoming members.
West of Ireland
Westport, Co. Mayo
I have played a lot of golf over the last number of years in the West of Ireland. In particular I was a member of Westport for a number of years. Westport is a championship course. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security over the first four or five holes. Very challenging holes from 6 onwards. And wonderful views across to Croagh Patrick and over Clew Bay. And no excuses for not being ready – full driving range and chipping areas available for your warm up.
From back 9 at Enniscrone
Benbulben is one of the backdrops at Co. Sligo.
Last summer spend two great days playing tow of the great links on the West Coast: Enniscrone and Co. Sligo. If you like your bare lies and playing crisp golf shots (in a light sea breeze) then either of these are ideal tests of your golf and your shot making. But be patient – and roll with the punches.
And both this year and last year have played a round in Co. Galway at the Connemara Links – what a wonderful challenge. And remember to preserve some energy – as you get back to 16 you then face two very stiff finishing holes away from the Club House for 17 and then back in to a raised green at 18.
Just read Shane Warne’s (the great legspinner) very entertaining and insightful autobiography. Well to be more accurate – listened to it on Audible (much more comfortable way to digest a book pool-side in the Portuguese sunshine.
Cricket, like all sports, needs it larger than life personalities – and Warne has been this, ever since the ‘Gatting ball’ (when he bowled Mike Gatting behind his legs with his first ball in the Ashes). He has been as – if not more influential, that the Bothams and Richards of my youth.
Firstly Warne brought wrist spin back to the fore. And – over a very long career – took over 700 Test wickets. But he was also interesting – liked to have fun, in the face of opponents, highly strung, and involved in a number of controversies. But at the end of all this his competitiveness, skill and playing record do the talking.
Technique
Without giving away all the secrets he does give a good insight into what he was doing to create the leg breaks, the flipper, the googly, etc. And for any of who have tried all of this at the nets (why not since I could not bowl anything else either) – we have some appreciation of the skills and effort required to deliver consistent wrist spinning (Shane is at pains to point out the difference between slow bowling and spin bowling – without rubbishing slow (accurate) bowling. And the mental effort – the battle with the batsman, figuring out the batsman’s mindset and approach.
Great perspective on Kerry Packer and his son. Big fan and believes all professional cricketers owe KP a huge debt. Likewise huge admirer of Richie Benaud.
Many years ago I had the good forunate to be staying in the same hotel as the Australian Cricket Tet team – and was there fore breakfast. Warne has very warm words fro Merv Hughes and Allan Border. Could not agree more – and they were true to form that morning at breakfast.
No saint – and he puts his hand up for an amount fo the trouble and stress he has caused. In particular very sensitive about his marriage, divorce, subsequent engagement (and breakup) with Liz Hurley – but mainly from the perspective of hurt to his children.
Future focus for test cricket
All in all this is a very good read for anyone who has followed cricket over the last 25 years. He has been one of the greats. And he is not short on a few ideas to address some of the challenges facing cricket worldwide – without, in any way, being against the progress seen through workdcups, 20-20, the Indian Leagues etc. Very much a man for the future – looking for ways to protect and sustain test cricket.
What a week – The Open played in Portrush and won by an Irish man, Shane Lowry. Wonderful venue – built for golfers and spectators. I spent Thursday and Friday on the links – following matches, taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the comraderie of golf fans from all over the world.
I was lucky enough to have been invited by a member to play Portrush last year. The first hole seemed a lot easier with none of The Open pressure. But then the pros made a lot of the other holes seem a lot easier than I had found them.
I drove from Dublin both days – or was driven Thursday and drove myself on Friday – a group of 4 on Thursday and 5 on Friday. All of us enjoyed it.
Thursday was obviously a huge disappointment for Rory – but for all of us on the links was fantastic to discover so many vantage points – between 5 and 6, along 7, behind 16 – And many more. The village, the catering, the bars – all worked so well. And we got to practice our donning and doffing of the rain gear. The weather improved in the evening and we stayed to see Ernie finish – it was 9pm before we left. Access to the course was great – and all of the logistics leaving went very well.
Friday – what a great day. Spent a couple of hours at the practice group. Mesmerised by the skill, the attention to detail, the obsession with ‘pulling down on the inside’ – or so it looked. Out on the links. Lots of little battles – watching GMac make the cut, Darren getting there but only to throw it away with a 7 at 18, Rory missing out on the cut by 1. And then there was the magic from Lowry.. Did not leave until 8.30. And the fast food stop near Lisburn was welcomed by all.
Played golf Saturday at Carrickmines and then watched Shane Lowry do his magic – course record. Fleetwood stayed in touch. Beginning to believe. Hard to reconcile my own 86 with Lowry’s golf. Not the same game. Although JB Holmes – on a bad day at the office – gave all of us some hope.
And then Sunday. So much drama at the first. Could have been a 3 v. a 6 in the top match – but finished a 4 v 5 – and the opportunity was lost (or the danger was averted!). Spellbinding golf. Would Lowry keep it together? Absolutely. And, in style and shotmaking approach, a great throwback to the genius of Christy O’Connor, Paddy Skerritt and their ilk.
So much to remember. And the opportunity for all of us to feel good about Shane, Portrush and The Open.
Day 4 M2M – Legs a little more tired and 2nd longest day of cycling – knowing that the spin would finish with a climb over Molls’ Gap in Killarney National Park. Weather was good from the get go – if a little overcast.
The first target was to make sure that all cyclists made the 11am ferry at Killimer (across to Tarbert). We had a quick stop for a coffee on the road at
Coffee at Creegh
Creegh and got to Killimer in good time for a quick coffee & scone.
Jumped off the ferry on the other side at Tarbert and we headed for Abbeyfeale in Co. Limerick. We had lunch at Abbeyfeale GAA Club – which is actually located in Co. Kerry – although the Club plays in the Limerick Championship. More excellent soup and sandwiches.
That was followed by possibly the hardest drag of the trip – up out of Abbeyfeale. By now also now very conscious of the increasing road traffic for the bank holiday weekend. We pushed on to Faranfore for a ’99’. Then on towards Killarney and the mad bank holiday weekend traffic.
We made our way through and started the ascent of Moll’s Gap – with a breather at Ladies’ View. And then on to the Gap itself.
Ladies at Ladies’ View
Weather closed in on the ascent – making for a trickier descent on the far side into Kenmare. We parked up the bikes there – and were bussed to Glengariff – where we spent the night (no change of getting accomodation for 80+people in Kenmare that night).
Toughest day of the trip to date – but everyone made it: and looking forward to the final day (Kenmare to Mizen Head).
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Shane Lowry. Wonderful venue – built for golfers and spectators. I spent Thursday and Friday on the links – following matches, taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the comraderie of golf fans from all over the world.
