Clare in Lonely Planet’s top 10 cycling destinations

CLARE is one of the 10 best places in the world for a cycling holiday, according to the Lonely Planet.
In the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2010, the world’s best cities, regions and attractions are listed, with County Clare recommended as one of the best places in the world to explore on two wheels. Other destinations also on the list include the San Juan Islands in the US, La Farola in Cuba and Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy.
“Beginning in fertile lowlands flanking the Shannon Estuary, this route rolls past golden-sand beaches to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher facing the Atlantic. Next come the music hotbed towns of Miltown Malbay and Doolin, where you enter a pub only if you’re in for the long haul, leaving before the last song is sung seems a monstrous breach of etiquette,” the guide states.
“From here, progress to the relentlessly grey, yet captivating, limestone expanse of the Burren, reminiscent of a lunar landscape. Then take a sojourn into Yeats’ country before sauntering back in a loop through County Clare’s patchwork countryside,” it adds.
Flan Quilligan of Shannon Development said that a lot of money has been put into cycling in Clare and that inclusion in the guide should attract more visitors.
“Under the Shannon Development led €2 million Shannon Region Trails programme a number of new tourism cycling routes and tracks were developed in recent times. These works were undertaken in partnership with Clare County Council and with financial support from Fáilte Ireland. Among these include the new Doolin cycling hub, which incorporates four new looped walks in the North Clare area. These will also form part of a new Shannon Region cycling network being established by Shannon Development and linked to the national cycling network.
“Currently 102,000 overseas visitors participate in cycling holidays in Ireland annually generating €78 million in annual revenue. Being features in this prestigious travel guide will have a direct benefit in the growth of cycling tourism in County Clare. The fact that the Lonely Planet Guide recommends that County Clare should be on every cyclist’s wish list is a great endorsement of our product.”