Breathtaking views welcome cyclists to the stunning ‘Céide Coast‘ of Ballycastle/Belderrig that stretches from the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point at Downpatrick Head to the sea cliffs of Ben Mor, Belderrig. Expect to find hill climbs and flatlands; there is plenty to see and do in Ballycaste and along the atlantic Céide coast.
Ballycastle – Baile an Chaisil – the town of the stone fortress lies on the beautiful rugged coast of North Mayo. Its northern boundary is exposed to the wild Atlantic ocean, to the west are the lovely Stags of Broadhaven (600 million year old rocks), to the east lies Killala Bay, to the south are the towns of Crossmolina and Ballina.
Ballycastle is a small but thriving community which has much to offer visitors. We have a rich history, going back at least 5000 years. Our ancestors left evidence of their way of life at the Céide Fields where an Interpretative Centre has been built. We have long sandy beaches and tall threatening cliffs along the seafront. The cliffs at Céide reach a height of 365 feet and give a panoramic view of horizontal layers of sandstone 350 million years old.
Myth, legend, history and folklore all thrive in this ancient place. One can be entertained for hours with stories from the time of our patron saint, St. Patrick, through the darker days of the Penal times, when his followers sought hiding in the bleak bog land and onto more recent anecdotes of fair days and football matches.
The Céide Feilds
The award-winning visitor centre is home to the the remarkable neolithic site at Ceide Fields that contains the oldest known stone-walled fields in the world – dating back nearly 6,000 years.
Ballina Cycling Club
The club welcomes visiting cyclists to its weekly leisure cycles which depart Ballina Swimming Pool at 8am every Sunday. Two groups depart catering to different levels of ability (and energy) and no-one gets left behind. There is usually a coffee stop or two along the way and it’s a great way to meet the locals and get a feel for the local countryside.
Killala Bike Hire
Situated along the Wild Atlantic Way, Killala Bike Hire is located at the heart of the most magnificent sites the west coast of Ireland has to offer. Providing bike and accessory rental for all ages, you can experience the Wild Atlantic Way at your own pace, with daily and weekly bike hires available. Killala Bike Hire are now registered members of Irish Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association and certified as qualified bike mechanics, with the ability to maintain, repair and service your bicycle equipment. They are now offering a new bicycle repair service at Killala Bike Hire.
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