Ireland’s Most Popular Cycling Routes For 2024
To kick off 2024, we're excited to showcase Ireland's most popular cycling routes for 2024. Our list spans ten counties, featuring the most popular route from each. While some counties are not included due to data coverage, this compilation offers a snapshot of Ireland's diverse cycling hotspots.Let us know if your favourite cycle route is featured here, and if not, make sure to get involved to put your county on the map!
This analysis has been provided by See.Sense, using anonymised data gathered from users of See.Sense lights connected to their free app. See.Sense is our Official Bicycle Lights and Data Insights Supplier and will continue to provide member insight blogs throughout 2024. Find out how to get involved at the bottom of the article.
County Galway
To start off, we have this great loop that sweeps around West Connemara and takes in some of the most stunning scenery Ireland has to offer. The stretch of the N59 that runs alongside the Killary Fjord is absolutely stunning, running to Kylemore Abbey which is always worth a visit. Start and finish this route in the lovely town of Clifden for a perfect day or weekend of cycling!
County Dublin
This route between Portmarnock and Dublin’s North Docks always shows up strongly in the See.Sense data, with a large number of Dublin cyclists using it regularly due to the cycle path that runs along the Howth Road - the power of cycling infrastructure! The loop from Duncrondra to Howth Peninsula in particular is one of Dublin’s most popular cycling routes.
County Cork
A few popular routes across East Cork show up in the data here. The Cork Harbour Greenway receives the most traffic, closely followed by the route between Cork and Midleton. Interestingly, we see a lot of traffic heading north and south on the R614 and the R626 road between Midelton and Fermoy.
County Waterford
The star of the show here is the Waterford Greenway, which provides 46 km of beautiful car-free infrastructure. We can see that the route gets the majority of its traffic in the western section towards Dungarvan, while the section closer to Waterford City is slightly less popular. The R675, running along the coast near Annestown and Tramore, also receives plenty of cycling traffic.
County Kerry
Another absolutely heavenly cycling route to be found here, stretching across the length of the Dingle peninsula from Dingle to Camp. This route heads over the Conor Pass - a strip of road that everyone needs to experience at least once, with views that are worth the tough climb uphill from Dingle. Some of the best cycling that Ireland has to offer!
County Limerick
This route heads along a few different roads south of Limerick, perhaps popular as a Sunday ride amongst cyclists in the area. Starting at Dooradoyle, we can see cyclists heading clockwise around this route past Limerick Golf Club, before turning northward upon reaching the small village of Croom.
County Meath
Another rural route is found here in County Meath. The majority of the traffic in this route is found along the Moyglare Road, heading into the town of Kilcock on the border with Kildare. There is a distinctive loop formed between the three towns in the area: Kilcock, Summerhill and Maynooth.
County Armagh
Running for 20 miles between Newry and Portadown, the Newry Canal Towpath shows up clearly in the See.Sense data. This section of greenway is built along the previously disused Newry Canal, and features plenty of signs and information regarding the history of the canal. This is a great route for an easy cycle with the whole family!
County Down
Moving to Belfast now, we have two routes that appear clearly in the See.Sense data. Firstly, the Comber Greenway receives the majority of traffic, providing 7 miles of peaceful greenway and an escape from the hustle and bustle of Belfast. We can also see the Upper Newtownards Road feature strongly, with a clear turn off at the Belfast Road towards Newtownards where the Upper Newtownards Road becomes a dual carriageway.
County Antrim
A few different routes stand out in North Belfast, in particular the North-South route from the Lagan Towpath that heads up the Shore Road towards Carrickfergus. There is cycling infrastructure along a good portion of this route, in particular alongside the M5, running towards Hazelbank Park. We can also see a series of routes receiving slightly less traffic heading west towards Doagh, Templepatrick and Ballyclare.
Get Involved!
We’ll have more member insights blogs coming throughout 2024, so make sure to get involved by anonymously contributing your ride stats using the free See.Sense App. You need to own a See.Sense light to contribute, however Cycling Ireland Membership offers an exclusive 30% discount code off all See.Sense award-winning reactive bike lights - check your membership newsletter to find your unique code.
If your county isn’t featured here, put it on the map! Our coverage is still building in some counties, particularly in areas outside major population hubs, so if you’d like to see your county rank higher, be sure to use your exclusive discount and hit the roads with a See.Sense light.
Not Just A Bike Light
It's not just about the insights. If you own a See.Sense product and have joined the See.Sense community through their mobile app, you’ll see some unique and fun stats about your own rides too. These include:
The distance you've cycled
The calories you've burned
How much CO2 you’ve saved by cycling
More unique and fun stats.
Remember, all Cycling Ireland members get 30% off See.Sense lights!