Now’s the chance to get on your bike for the The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August.
High Nelly and vintage bicycle enthuasiasts will get to experience the 70km two-day challenge around south Laois and north Kilkenny.
Running since 2014, the High Nellie cycle starts and ends in Durrow and will take in a number of heritage sites such as Castle Durrow, Emo Court, Heywood Gardens, Timahoe Round Tower & Heritage Centre, the Rock of Dunamase and Abbeyleix Heritage House.
Their cycle is divided over two days, with an average daily distance of approximately 40 kilometres at a relaxed pace.
This year the event – entitled Meandering Monks & Medieval Miles – aims to delve even deeper into the history of County Laois.
The challenge is named after Irish writer and nationalist William Bulfin who took the same journey in 1902.
Mr Bulfin published a book about his journey, ‘Rambles in Eirinn’ in 1907, which extended on to four editions by 1915.
The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally was first held in 2014 and has grown ever since. The event now coincides with Irish Heritage Week.
On hand to help with the launch was William Bulfin’s very own great granddaughter, Mary Bulfin, at Aghaboe Abbey.
All photos below are supplied by Alf Harvey:
John Maguire, Mick Creagh and Noel Mooney at Aghaboe Abbey for the launch of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally which will be held 24th & 25th August with a theme of Meandering Monks and Medieval MIles. Picture: Alf Harvey.The gathering at Aghaboe Abbey for the launch of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally which will be held 24th & 25th August with a theme of Meandering Monks and Medieval MIles. Picture: Alf Harvey.Matt Doyle, Bulfin Cycle chairman; Helen Carroll, Ear to the Ground; Mary Bulfin and Hugh Sheppard at Aghaboe Abbey for the launch of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally which will be held 24th & 25th August with a theme of Meandering Monks and Medieval MIles. Picture: Alf Harvey.Cyclists with Helen Carroll, Ear to the Ground and Mary Bulfin at Aghaboe Abbey for the launch of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally which will be held 24th & 25th August with a theme of Meandering Monks and Medieval MIles. Picture: Alf Harvey.Matt Doyle, Bulfin Cycle chairman; Helen Carroll, Ear to the Ground and Padraig Keeshan, Aghaboe Abbey Preservation committee secretary at Aghaboe Abbey for the launch of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally which will be held 24th & 25th August with a theme of Meandering Monks and Medieval MIles. Picture: Alf Harvey.Helen Carroll, Ear to the Ground and Mary Bulfin at Aghaboe Abbey for the launch of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally which will be held 24th & 25th August with a theme of Meandering Monks and Medieval MIles. Picture: Alf Harvey.John Maguire, Mick Creagh and Noel Mooney serving the mead to Hugh Sheppard, Matt Doyle, Helen Carroll, Ear to the Ground and Mary Bulfin at Aghaboe Abbey for the launch of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally which will be held 24th & 25th August with a theme of Meandering Monks and Medieval MIles. Picture: Alf Harvey.The gathering at Aghaboe Abbey for the launch of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally which will be held 24th & 25th August with a theme of Meandering Monks and Medieval MIles. Picture: Alf Harvey.
