Dungarvan to Youghal

I set off early for this 32 km run along the busy N25 road.  First problem was the longest continuous hill I've ever ran up.  At least there was a good view from the top.

Soon entered Rinn Gaeltacht area and wondered if I'd need to call some of my Irish speaking running mates to help with road sign translations.

I only met one other human all day and most of the vehicles were big trucks driving from Rosslare Port. This was OK but became a problem when there wasn't much available room beside the road.  Definitely a time to be a thin runner.

 Just about survived and was relieved to make it into Youghal, Co Cork.  Many years ago, my grandfather ran away from home in Cork to eventually settle in Co Armagh.  According to family legend, he walked all the way; so now that I've returned, this seems like a good place to stop.

Finished at St Mary's Collegiate Church founded away back in 1215.  A fascinating place frequented by Oliver Cromwell and Sir Walter Raleigh (who was probably even a worse guy than Cromwell).

All good pilgrimages should end with seeing the light and St Mary's didn't disappoint💥

 Waterford Greenway.

I was looking forward to getting off-road again.  But the first section of greenway from Waterford wasn't finished; nevertheless I joined two slow (ie old) cyclists and we made our way out of the city passed construction workers and over piles of rubble.  I don't think that we were supposed to be there but we eventually made it through to the proper start of the greenway.

The first few miles were alongside the River Suir and then I had a stop at a railway cafe.  It was too early for buns; so I made do with three jelly beans and some water. 

After 26 kms, mostly uphill, I rolled into the village of Kilmacthomas and the Coach House cafe.  Nice enough place but I was gasping for a drink and it took about 15 minutes to get a cup of tea.  They are lucky that I don't do Trip Advisor.  I'm reliably told the best cafe in these parts is the Summerhouse Cafe in Lismore - great cakes and no hanging about, that's my style.

I'd about three hours to kill before the only afternoon bus out of town; so I set of to check out the main attraction - Flanavan's porridge factory.  They do a lot of good work for Athletics NI and I've been eating their porridge all my life, so this unashamed product placement is well deserved.

 Next morning it was back to Kilmacthomas and an exciting start over the greenway viaduct.

I love the way they have kept much of old railway stuff along this route.....

and the modern art inside the concrete tunnels.

Next  up was this almost tropical railway cutting and the Ballyvoyle tunnel. A spooky experience, especially when the lights ain't working. 

Finally, the sea appeared and I ran the last few miles down into Dungarvan.  It was another mile out of town to No 12 B&B - a really wonderful place to stay for the week.  Catherine's breakfasts certainly made up for my frugal mid-run diet of jelly beans.