Over forty cyclists gathered at the wonderful Aylward’s Rural Heritage Museum, on the outskirts of Durrow, Co. Laois, for the start of the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally 2019. A delicious Full Irish ‘Bulfin’ Breakfast, was served to all, and would surely help sustain everyone, for the roads ahead. We were delighted to welcome participants from as far afield as Texas, USA and Germany. Not to mention Wexford, Offaly, Tipperary, Limerick and Kerry! Prior to departure, there were readings and a re-enactment, both taken from William Bulfin’s book, ‘Rambles In Eirinn’, which were followed by some wonderful traditional music, from our great friends, Spink Comhaltas.
Before long it was time to hit the road, and head for our first stop, St. Fintan’s Church, which lay beyond Abbeyleix. Of course being the Bulfin Cycle, we opted to stick to the less travelled, quieter country roads, and detoured via Coleman’s Road!
Our journey had begun, and below are some photographs from the above described!
Part 2 coming soon!
Meeting one of our friends from Germany, at Aylward's Rural Heritage Museum
Our Inspiration William Bulfin was a journalist, travel writer and proud Irish Nationalist, who was born in Derrinlough, Co. Offaly in 1864. Having returned from Argentina in 1902, where he worked on the pampas amongst the native gaucho or cowboy tribe, he set off on a journey that took him through the highways and byways of Ireland, on a steel framed bicycle made by Pierce of Wexford. His book “Rambles in Eirinn” is an insightful account of his experiences along the route, with each captivating page telling a story of Ireland’s ancient past. The travelogue was first published in 1907, and proved to be a resounding success, extending to a fourth edition, published in 1915.
In previous years the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally has followed some of the routes, as outlined in Bulfin’s remarkable book; through Offaly, Laois, Kilkenny and Tipperary. In 2018 we mapped our own route, concentrating on the history and heritage of Co. Laois, taking in such wonderful places as the Irish Fly Fishing & Game Shooting Museum, Heywood Gardens, Timahoe Round Tower & Heritage Centre, Emo Court and the magnificent Rock of Dunamase, to mention but a few! Each year we travel in vintage attire, on High Nelly bikes, and our journey is punctuated by heritage site visits, heritage talks, historical re-enactments, music and food; so ours is a gentle paced leisure cycle, despite the odd difficult hill!
It’s about parking the mountain bike, the 24 gears, the carbon fibre, the racer, and mounting a bicycle from another era…something made of steel…maybe even something a little bit rusty! It’s about dressing up for Ancient Ireland, sharing our heritage in the company of the overseas guests, that regularly join us, and generally enjoying the Craic. Whether you cycle on an old time butcher’s bike, a restored High Nelly charmer, with a stylish wicker basket, a 40’s or 50’s Raleigh, or a modern replica, it doesn’t matter. What does matter, is that you get involved in a novel heritage event where cycling is only part of the fun. The theme for The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally 2019, is ‘Meandering Monks & Medieval Miles’ and we will forge a trail through Ireland’s rich monastic and medieval history. So if you are interested in cycling, history, heritage or just having a wonderful fun filled, couple of days, The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally, really is for you! It is a leisurely cycle, along a route that promises to be full of hidden history, and heritage, so chalk it down on the calendar – August 24th & 25th 2019!
Rambles in Eirinn Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally
National Heritage Week 2021
Details: Day 1: Saturday August 24th
11am: Assembly at Aylward’s Rural Heritage Museum The Full Irish “Bulfin” Breakfast! Narration from William Bulfin’s book; “Rambles in Eirinn” Cycle to Aghaboe Abbey – via Coleman’s Road
12:30pm Visit De Vesci Estate, Abbeyleix (By kind permission) Heritage Talk: ‘The Abbey of Abbeyleix’, at the Monk’s Bridge
2pm: Cremogue Church of St. Fintan Heritage Talk and Sample a Monk’s Austerity Meal
St. Fintan’s Well An Irish Country Picnic Sample a Monk’s Indulgence Making Merry with Traditional Mead
4pm: Aghaboe Abbey – A Celebration of our Monks – Saint’s Fergal and Canice Monastic Trials and Tribulations – Heritage Talk St Canice: Telling the Story of the Two Coffins – Pageant/Folklore St. Fergal: Narration from William Bulfin’s book – Rambles in Eirinn & The Austrian connection “ In Days of Old” An Irish “Pattern” Day Rustic Merriment with Music, Song & Dance Food & Refreshments served St Canice Commemoration Trail – A Pilgrim Path
6pm: Clough The Land League Priest – local history/storytelling Narration from William Bulfin’s book – “Rambles in Eirinn” Light Refreshments served
8pm: Bob’s Museum Bar Durrow BBQ, Music & The Ancient Pastime of Skittles
Overnight in Durrow – Camping facilities at The Harps GAA Centre Option to upgrade to local B&B Day 1 Trail – 38K approx Option to upgrade to local B&B
Details: Day 2: Sunday August 25th
9:30am: Durrow A Full Irish Bulfin Breakfast at The Harps GAA Centre 10.30am: Assembly, followed by a Heritage Talk: ‘Durrow in County Kilkenny’
11am: Durrow to Kilkenny St. Canice’s Commemoration Trail – A Pilgrim Path Cycle to St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, via An Béalach Mór Taisteál: (“Up the Hill” transport available) Lisdowney: Heritage Talk Freshford – St Lachtain: Heritage talk , and Light Refreshments A Conker Match: An Exhibition of an Ancient Pastime
2pm: Granges Road, Kilkenny Meeting with our Kilkenny Hosts, The First Battalion Kilkenny (High Nelly Bicycle Club) Heritage Cycle around Kilkenny – Including: Tour & Heritage Talk at St Canice’s Cathedral Kilkenny Castle & The Kilkenny Medieval Mile Heritage Museum
5pm: Celebration Meal Food & Music at Home Rule Club Kilkenny
8pm: Homeward Bound An extract from William Bullion’s Book, Rambles In Eirinn Bus to Durrow (including bike transport)
9pm: Bulfin Event 2019“Final Handshakes” Music & Craic at Bob’s Museum Bar, Durrow as the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally 2019, concludes with our event’s Final Handshakes!
Saturday 24th August Booking Fee Includes the following:All meals as advertised, Pageant participation,Heritage Site visits,Tents and camping facilities provided, in Durrow, Co. Laois
Sunday 25th August Booking Fee Includes the following: All meals as advertised, Pageant participation,Heritage Site visits,Bus & bike transfer - Kilkenny to Durrow and full back-up services
We are looking for the oldest High Nelly Bike in Ireland!
The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally 2019, are looking for the oldest, (in working order) High Nelly Bike, in Ireland!
If you think you might be in possession of just such a bike, then please get in touch by emailing hugh@bulfinheritagecycle.com – Please attach a photograph of your bicycle, and let us know it’s story.
The owner of the oldest bike that we discover between now and August 20th, will be a VIP Guest at this year’s Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally; as we explore our medieval past, in Counties Laois and Kilkenny, including visits to Aghaboe Abbey and St. Canices Cathedral!
And of course the bike comes too! On August 24th & 25th, you will join with a group of vintage cyclist, in vintage attire, as we journey through the hidden history and heritage of Ireland, just as William Bulfin did in 1902, on his trusty steel framed bike, made by Pierce of Wexford.
Bulfin told the stories of his travels, in his excellent book Rambles In Eirinn, which was published in 1907. Inspired by his travels, we follow in his wheel rims, every year, and we catalogue our travels, here, on this website!
If you do not fancy the prospect of cycling 70km, over the course of the two days, then you can avail of our vintage bus transport, which is new to this year’s event.
So check that bike, search your sheds, for you may just be in possession of Ireland’s Oldest Bike!
The Search For Ireland’s Oldest High Nelly Bike
Tickets for The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally 2019
If you are pretty certain you are not in possession of the oldest bike in Ireland, but would still like to join us, you can purchase tickets HERE!
William Bulfin was a journalist, travel writer and proud Irish Nationalist, who was born in Derrinlough, Co. Offaly in 1864.
Having returned from Argentina in 1902, where he worked on the pampas amongst the native gaucho or cowboy tribe, he set off on a journey that took him through the highways and byways of Ireland, on a steel framed bicycle made by Pierce of Wexford.
His book “Rambles in Eirinn” is an insightful account of his experiences along the route, with each captivating page telling a story of Ireland’s ancient past. The travelogue was first published in 1907, and proved to be a resounding success, extending to a fourth edition, published in 1915.
Off Route Checking for Meandering Monks & Medieval Miles 2019
2019 Event: August 24th & 25th
In previous years the Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally has followed some of the routes, as outlined in Bulfin’s remarkable book; through Offaly, Laois, Kilkenny and Tipperary.
In 2018 we mapped our own route, concentrating on the history and heritage of Co. Laois, taking in such wonderful places as the Irish Fly Fishing & Game Shooting Museum, Heywood Gardens, Timahoe Round Tower & Heritage Centre, Emo Court and the magnificent Rock of Dunamase, to mention but a few!
Each year we travel in vintage attire, on High Nelly bikes, and our journey is punctuated by heritage site visits, heritage talks, historical re-enactments, music and food; so ours is a gentle paced leisure cycle, despite the odd difficult hill!
It’s about parking the mountain bike, the 24 gears, the carbon fibre, the racer, and mounting a bicycle from another era…something made of steel…maybe even something a little bit rusty! It’s about dressing up for Ancient Ireland, sharing our heritage in the company of the overseas guests, that regularly join us, and generally enjoying the Craic. Whether you cycle on an old time butcher’s bike, a restored High Nelly charmer, with a stylish wicker basket, a 40’s or 50’s Raleigh, or a modern replica, it doesn’t matter. What does matter, is that you get involved in a novel heritage event where cycling is only part of the fun.
The theme for The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally 2019, is ‘Meandering Monks & Medieval Miles’ and we will forge a trail through Ireland’s rich monastic and medieval history. So if you are interested in cycling, history, heritage or just having a wonderful fun filled, couple of days, The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally, really is for you! It is a leisurely cycle, along a route that promises to be full of hidden history, and heritage, so chalk it down on the calendar – August 24th & 25th 2019!
We don’t want to say too much, but we can give a few hints, such as medieval buildings, round towers, St. Fintan and St. Canice!
We will update with more specific event and ticket sale details, once finalised.
Just follow the link above to see an overview and some photographs of Day One, from this year’s Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally. There are lots of photographs, so it may take a minute or two to load, so please be patient.
Just follow the link above to see an overview and some photographs of Day Two, from this year’s Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally. There are lots of photographs, so it may take a minute or two to load, so please be patient. See The Story of Day One Here
