Cycle to Blackrock Castle?

CAUN

Is it a good idea? Was thinking of doing it with the missus, then have a cuppa in the Castle Cafe, then back to town.

Would it be a good relaxing cycle of a sunny day? Anyone ever done it?

Tzarkahn

Where are you going from?
Assuming you're just having a casual spin from the city, it's lovely, although the marina road is a bit holey but if you're going slow enough you can go on the pavement and the Cafe is nice.

If you fancy a longer spin you can go past the castle and loop round back up to the Marina road.

CAUN

I'll be cycling from the city center.

I was looking at the Marina on street view, looks kind of shadey / industrial wasteland. Kennedy Quay to be precise. Are you allowed to cycle there? Or do you cycle up "Centre Park Road" ?

Knasher

You would cycle up Center Park Road and then onto the Marina
Google Maps

pwurple

That's a really nice cycle, very popular with loads of cyclists and runners. You come out along the marina, up to blackrock pier, and up castle road to the castle.

You could also come along blackrock road from the city, but the marina is flatter and more leafy.

LeNNoX

Yupe - good idea, nothing to loose + on Sunday there's a market there, so could have a little bite to eat too.

There's a tour in the castle which is also worth a look while your there.

Enjoy.

burnhardlanger

The Marina road to the Castle is possibly the bumpiest road I've cycled on

CAUN

LeNNoX wrote: »

Yupe - good idea, nothing to loose + on Sunday there's a market there, so could have a little bite to eat too.


Enjoy.

The market is in the Castle grounds?

two wheels good

CAUN wrote: »

The market is in the Castle grounds?

No, in the square next to the pier. You won't miss it.

From the castle be sure to continue around the corner to join the Mahon pathway\cycleway. You can do a loop that joins the old railway line and returns to Blackrock village and then onto the Marina again. All flat, and smooth tarmac.

If you're feeling more energetic, head to Rochestown (Rochestown Inn for refreshments) or even Passage West.

Milly33

Ah youll be grand tis a loverly cycle just remember to be road savie and use your signals.If you want to stay of the main road as much as you can just head straight along centre park road and along the river, you can pop by the atlantic pond aswell for a sconce..

tis a loverly idea

Missyelliot2

It's lovely! It's bumpy as hell and there isn't a lot to see on the journey from the city (as you will be concentrating on avoiding the potholes), BUT hopefully it will be improved.
Well worth the cycle for a coffee and you can continue on along the walkway/cycleway to Cinnamon Cottage in Rochestown (about 4km) for a well deserved cake!

Dan Dare

Or even proceed further out to Monkstown and have a seafood chowder at The Boson!

clerk

Milly33 wrote: »

Ah youll be grand tis a loverly cycle just remember to be road savie and use your signals.If you want to stay of the main road as much as you can just head straight along centre park road and along the river, you can pop by the atlantic pond aswell for a sconce..

tis a loverly idea

Hop on the bike.

If you survive coming through Cork City on a bike you'll be laughing - but l wish you all the best.

Once you get to the Sextant pub swing down by Albert Quay/the docks, take the first left at the next roundabout onto Centre Park Road. Stay on this road as it swings left and you'll be down at the River Lee & Blackrock rowing club.

((If you fancy a bit of local sightseeing take a left, it's a dead end but it's like the swinging 60s down there. ))

However seeing as you're already on a bike I'd recommend going right at this stage and you're going down the Marina ( past Pairc Ui Chaoimh ) all the way down to Blackrock Village. In Blackrock village there is a pub called the Pier Head Inn. Take the road beside the Pier Head Inn up to the castle, past the Chinese and the Italian. That road is very narrow but there are speed ramps and people in general are very sensible in their cars. Once you get to the Castle, which now has a lovely restaurant you can stop for latte and croissants.

Then just around the corner from the Castle there is a cycling/walking path that circles on for a few km's and you're starting home.

Just at the end of this loop if you go right and go over the flyover which is all cycle friendly you can join the old railway line and cycle all the way down the the line ( to the Atlantic pond ), around the pond to Pairc Ui Chaoimh and you're well on the way home.

Best of luck.