A hectic schedule for Leitrim Bike Week 2024

Details of Bike Week 2024 have been announced by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Leitrim Sports Partnership, which runs from Saturday, May 11, to Sunday May 19, culminating in the Leitrim Cycling Festival in Keshcarrigan.

Bike Week is an annual celebration and promotion of the benefits of cycling. Hundreds of events are taking place across the country, including family cycles, heritage cycles, maintenance workshops, and learn-to-cycle events.

All 31 local authority areas are involved in Bike Week with events being organised jointly through the local authorities and Local Sports Partnerships.

Speaking about Bike Week, NTA Chief Executive Officer Anne Graham said, “The engagement from the local authorities and Local Sports Partnerships has been fantastic again this year and it’s great to see so many events taking place all around the country. There really is something for everyone, from the popular family bike festivals and community cycles to local heritage and greenway cycles to schools’ events. I’d encourage everybody to get involved.”

Leitrim Sports Partnership Coordinator Declan Boyle said, “We have a fantastic line up of events to suit everyone in County Longford. Events are open to the public and are also available for local schools.  Find out more and book your spot at BikeWeek.ie!”

Suzanne Duffy SEO Leitrim County Council, Cllr Sean McGowan, Laura Brehon, Isabella Stanford, Leon Komorowski, John Kennedy, Edwina Cahill, Cllr Enda Stenson, Cllr Finola Armstrong & Donnacha Holmes Leitrim Sports Partnership pictured at the launch of the 2024 Leitrim Sports Partnership Bike Week which runs from Saturday May 11, to Sunday May 19, with events in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim Village, Drumshanbo, Fenagh, Ballinamore, Manorhamilton, Gorvagh, Carrigallen, Bornacoola, Annaduff, Rossinver and Newtowngore, culminating with the Leitrim Cycling Festival from May 17-19. See page 49 for more details

To see what Bike Week 2024 events are taking place in Leitrim, visit BikeWeek.ie.

Those taking part in Bike Week are encouraged to share photos or videos on social media using #BikeWeek and tagging their local authority and Transport for Ireland @TFIUpdates.

The full list of events is as follows:

SATURDAY MAY 11

BELLES ON WHEELS

Corryeolous Women’s Group team bonding group cycle on the Shannon Blueway between Leitrim Village and Drumshanbo between 1pm-4pm

TREASURE HUNT AROUND WOODLANDS

Cycle around Lough Key Forest Park on a treasure hunt with each participant receiving clues and map coordinates to navigate around the historic woodlands while on hired bicycles from 10am-1pm in Lough Key Forest Park with the 4th Leitrim Mohill Scout Group

DOWN SYNDROME FAMILY GROUP CYCLE

Leitrim Down Syndrome Branch cycling showcase and picnic celebration for young people with Down Syndrome and their families.

DRAGONS GO CYCLING

Lough Rinn Dragons boating club team bonding sustainable travel 10km cycle around Mohill, starting at Lough Rinn Amenity Area from 11am-2pm

CYCLE TO CINEMA

Refreshments and talk about movies you would love to see on the new cinema screen. Followed by a screening of The Bicycle Thief  at The Island Theatre in Ballinamore. Free event from 8pm

FENAGH NS CYCLE-A-THON

St Caillins NS Fenagh children will be encouraged to cycle and record the time and distance cycled each day for the week. Children will be given a card to record their information with the card being returned at the end of the event and a small token accessory being rewarded in the form of an accessory for their bike and a certificate.

MONDAY MAY 13

SAFE CYCLE

Fenagh Childcare Road safety while on a bike with preschool children, with the importance of wearing a helmet and hi-vis, rules of the road and general safety from 10am-1pm

BIKE WORKSHOP AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION ON CYCLING

Repair and children’s bike checks by Moran’s bike shop and a community policing talk on road safety and good bike use at Gorvagh Community Centre from 4pm-7pm

BIKE DAY

Drumkeerin NS students bring their bikes to school and engage in a range of cycling activities from 10am-1pm

LÁ NA ROTHAIR

Bicycle workshop with John Conlon in the morning and bicycle races in the afternoon at Gaelscoil Chluainin / Bee Park, Manorhamilton from 10am-12pm and 2pm-3pm

GUIDED CYCLE ALONG THE CANAL IN BALLINAMORE

Cherry Blossom Centre RehabCare Group cycle along the canal in Ballinamore using different types of bikes to cater for different abilities within the group from 11am-2pm

WOMEN ON WHEELS TASTER SESSION

Taster session for the upcoming Women on Wheels Programme. Bring your own bike, helmet and hi-vis. To register your interest please email sports@leitrimcoco.ie before 4pm on Friday May 10

TUESDAY MAY 14

CYCLING SAFELY

Safe use of bikes in shared spaces and on public roads, proper fit and wearing of helmets and hi-vis vests and familiarisation of the working of bikes at Drumeela NS, Carrigallen / Killykeen Cycle Path from 10am-1pm

SAFE CYCLING SKILLS

Support and advice for children to help develop their cycling skills with an emphasis on full inclusion of children with physical disabilities, such as coordination, balance and visual needs at St. Joseph’s NS, Leitrim Village from: 10am-1pm

TRANSITION YEAR CYCLE

Drumshanbo VS Transition year students cycle from the Mayflower Hall in Drumshanbo to Battlebridge, along the Blueway, for a picnic and day out before cycling back to the school.

BALANCE BIKE PROGRAMME

Balance Bike Programme in Bee Park, Manorhamilton with 2 Leitrim Sports Partnership tutors.

Time: 10am-12pm

Location: Bee Park, Manorhamilton

Suitability: Preschool aged children aged 3-5 years

I CAN RIDE MY BIKE – 2024

Preschool children practicing/developing bike riding skills prior to a bike riding skills demonstration day at Clooncarne Explorers Childcare, Bornacoola from 10 am-1pm

EXPLORE DERRYCARNE WOODS

Bike trip to Derrycarne Woods about 5km from the school, picnic in the woods, local historian to speak about the history of the Derrycarne house and estate before returning to the school for a fun day from 9am-12pm

BIKE MAINTENANCE SESSION

Hands-on bike maintenance session with participants learning essential tips and tricks to keep their bike in top condition with experienced instructors from Trail Blazers covering topics such as tyre repair, chain maintenance, brake adjustments and more from 7pm – 8:30pm at Carrick Sports Complex

WEDNESDAY MAY 15

ACTIVE SCHOOLS – CYCLING SKILLS AND SAFE CYCLING

Promoting cycling by linking with Active Schools and promoting a wellbeing outdoor activity, life skills and road safety from 10am-1pm at Scoil Mhic Diarmada, Kiltyclogher

SAFE CYCLING WORKSHOP

Event for adults with intellectual disabilities to use and familiarise themselves with bikes with safety aspects of using a bike being the primary focus of the workshop from 11am-2pm at Tus Nua, Carrick-on-Shannon / Lough Key Forest Park

Suitability: Adults with intellectual disabilities

BLUEWAY CYCLE

Mohill Community College Transition year students cycle from Leitrim Village to Drumshanbo along the Blueway and back from 12pm-3pm

SCOIL MHUIRE NS BIKE WEEK CYCLE

Cycle around Carrick-on-Shannon to celebrate active travel and bike week from 11am-2pm

BIKE INFORMATION SESSION AND FUN ACTIVITIES

Over two days, events to be organised for children in the Mohill Community Youth Project afterschool. Each group will learn in a fun way about bike safety, bike maintenance, etc. Children will also take part in fun sport and bike activities practicing skills needed for cycling

THURSDAY MAY 16

BLUEWAY PICNIC CYCLE

Guided cycle from Leitrim Village to Drumshanbo, along the Blueway, picnic at Acres Lake and cycle back along the Blueway to Leitrim Village from 11am-1pm

TODDLER BALANCE BIKE SESSION

Toddler balance bike programme in the community centre with a fitness instructor at  Gorvagh Parent & Toddler / Gorvagh Community Centre from 10am-12pm

BIKE SAFETY AND CYCLING SKILLS WORKSHOP

Bike safety and cycling skills workshop to incorporate safe cycling skills to educate and raise awareness about correct helmet wearing, ensuring bikes are road worthy and correct cycling techniques from 10am-1pm at Ballaghameehan NS, Rossinver

CYCLE SPORTS DAY

Cycle sports day at Newtowngore NS with activities such as balance and obstacle races, with safe cycling habits being developed by inviting Seamus Gibbons from Electric Bike Trails to help from 11am-2pm

FRIDAY MAY 17

SCOIL CHLANN NAOFA CYCLE

Children from 3rd to 6th class, teachers, volunteers and parents to cycle approximately 6km on the main road in Ballinamore, with the remaining classes of children also participating in the event off the main road from 10am-1pm

CYCLE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Local bike supplier bringing a range of bikes to the school to give children the opportunity to try out the bikes and learn to cycle safely, learn the importance of wearing a helmet, how to stop a bike, be made aware of the dangers of cycling on the road and how to be safe while cycling from 11am-2pm at St. Patrick’s NS, Drumshanbo

HOME ED’S ON BIKES!

Shannon Erne Waterway Guided Tour from 12pm-3pm for Home Education families

GET KIDS CYCLING IN KILNAGROSS

St Brigid’s NS Kilnagross Junior classes daily cycle to school with a parade on the Friday and fancy-dress bike fun, with prizes. Senior classes Cycle tour of local amenities with refreshments afterwards.

SATURDAY MAY 18

SO CYCLE

Special Olympics athletes, volunteers, family and friends cycle along the Blueway between Leitrim Village and Kilclare and return. from 11am-2pm

BALANCE BIKE PROGRAMME

Balance bike programme for preschool children aged 3 to 5 years in Drumshanbo.

Free event. Participation by registration only. To book: Via the Legitfit App, email drumshanbosports@gmail.com to activate the app.

SAFE CYCLING

Rent bikes from Electric Bike Trails in Leitrim Village, cycle to Kilclare, have food and a rest in the Sheemore Inn before returning to Leitrim Village from 1-4pm

Suitability: Older Age Group

MAY 17-19: LEITRIM CYCLING FESTIVAL 2024

Festival based this year in and around Keshcarrigan to allow participants to explore the surrounding routes, heritage and scenery with a full programme of events to cater for different ages and cycling abilities. Free Family Festival!

Events:

• 4pm Friday – Pretty up your Bike (Tailor McKeons)
• 5pm Friday – Launch Feast (Tailor McKeons) Join for a feast, €5 donation
• 6pm Friday – Official Launch with Launch Lap (Old Garda Station)

• 10am Saturday – Dr Bike Session with Moran’s Bike Shop (The Marina)
• 10am Saturday – Cyclimpics (The Marina)
• 30am Saturday – 7.5km Community Cycle For All (Peas & Beans)
• 2pm to 4pm Saturday – Balance Bikes for 3- to 5-year-olds (The Marina)
• 4pm Saturday – Slow Bicycle Race (The Marina)
• 8pm Saturday – Quiz Night (Gertie’s) Fundraising event, €40 per table

• 10am Sunday – Leitrim Cycling Club Ride (Gertie’s)
• 10am Sunday – Cycling through Words & Poetry with Maria Hoey (TBC)
• 11am Sunday – Heritage Cycle & Treasure Hunt (Peas & Beans)
• 12pm Sunday – Finale Tea and Cake (Peas & Beans)