Leitrim Cycling Festival Programme 2021

We are SO excited to be organising a real festival this year! Come join us in the beautiful little village of Kiltyclogher for a weekend of music, dancing, art, history, mud painting, good food and cycling to celebrate the wonder of bikes, communities and this stunning county.

Huge thanks to Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Sports Partnership for making this all possible!

Friday 17th September 2021

Camp set up and check-in from 11am

Please note:

  • Food – there is a well stocked grocery shop in Kilty but no cafes or restaurants.
  • Pubs – the Cosy Corner is open from Friday at 5pm, Saturday at 3pm and Sunday at 12pm.

All day cycles

Choose from a variety of suggested rides of varying lengths all starting and ending in Kiltyclogher. This part of the world is just stunning – now is your chance to explore!

These are self-led rides so you choose the time of departure, the pace, the snack breaks and where and when to stop for photos of lovely Leitrim!

One of the rides takes you to the birthplace of Sean MacDiarmada (one of the seven leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising and a signatory of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic). If you would like a guided tour of the cottage pop in to the Heritage Centre in the Kilty where they would be more than happy to arrange a time.

Human-on-a-bike library

Ever wondered what it’s like to cycle with a toddler? Or to cycle across the world? Or how to cycle to work and not arrive in a pool of sweat? Or even how to find work in the world of cycling? Now is your chance to find out!

Throughout the weekend coach/writer, Jo Sachs-Eldridge will be gathering humans with stories to share of their experiences of cycling – from the everyday to the wildest adventures. And you can ‘borrow’ these humans for 15 minutes to hear their real life stories and find out more about cycling in all its wonderful forms. If you are a human-on-a-bike and have a story to share get in touch with Jo on jsachseldridge@gmail.com 

11am – Cycle skills with Kiltyclogher National School

Leitrim Sports Partnership will deliver cycling skills for the children of Kiltyclogher National School. Will their new skills help them in the Cyclimpics on Saturday?

6pm – Leitrim Cycling Festival Launch Feast

Feast on the delicious dishes lovingly prepared by a band of merry volunteers. Suggested donation €5 pp

6.30pm – What’s new in cycling?

People on bikes have quite a lot to celebrate right now! Damien O’Tuama of Cyclist.ie, the Irish National Cycling Advocacy group will give us a rundown of what’s happening in the world of cycling in Ireland.

7pm – Wandering Bandstand in association with Culture Night

For Culture Night this year Leitrim Cycling Festival has invited artist and inventor Paddy Bloomer to bring his Wandering Bandstand to Kiltyclogher. A sight to behold, the pedal powered bandstand will wander through the village with local musicians playing on top. Paddy’s mechanical curiosities and improbable devices are made from recycled materials. This spectacle is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Bring your bike to follow the bandstand around the village.  The event will start at 7pm and run until 8.30pm.  To adhere to current restrictions pods of 4 – 6 people from the same family group can have a go pedalling the bandstand. Those interested should contact the festival on leitrimcyclingfestival@gmail.com to book a slot.

Please note the pubs in Kiltyclogher have not yet reopened. There is a shop in the village.

Saturday 18th September 2021

All day cycles

Choose from the many self-led rides – you choose the time of departure, the pace, the snack breaks and where and when to stop for photos of lovely Leitrim!

Human-on-a-bike library

Another chance to ‘borrow’ a human-on-a-bike and hear their story!

10.30 – Glenfarne Archive Project – Guided Family Cycle Tour

As part of the 2021 Decade of Centenaries programme, artists Catherine Bourne and Grainne McMenamin collaborated to produce an artistic response of the historical Tottenham Estate in the border region of Glenfarne, county Leitrim.

The artists are pleased to invite you to get dressed up and get on your Nelly to retrace some of the historical sites from the Tottenham era featured in their own creative map as part of a guided cycle tour on Saturday 18th of September 2021.

Estimated duration: 1 hour

Ability: suitable for families -mainly flat terrain on tarmac, but some parts are on uneven forest track. The route also includes a short stretch along the main road at the beginning (from the carpark to the Gate lodge building) – the rest is within the grounds of the Glenfarne forest park.

Suggested meeting point: Triangular car park opposite Saint Mary’s chapel of Ease, Glenfarne. Google pin : 54.288371,-7.98565654.288371,-7.985656

12pm – Bring-Your-Own Picnic for all ages

A short, flat cycle to a local field with a magical bridge and standing stone. Bring your sandwiches, crisps and picnic blankets – the perfect way to fuel up for the afternoon activities. Kilty has a well stocked shop for all your picnic needs.

12pm – Try a Trio Bike

Leitrim Sports Partnership will be bringing a Trio Bike to Kiltyclogher for those who may have reduced mobility. Older adults or people with reduced mobility are welcome to come along and have a trip on the Trio Bike. These electric bikes are part of the Cycling Without Age initiative and are being used by community groups in various parts of the county.

1.30pm – An afternoon of bikes, music, learning and playing

1.30 – 4.30pm MudBugs

The wonderful Jess from MudBugs will be doing lots of activities for kids of all ages to dip into. Activities include scavenger hunts, nature crowns, grass heads, mud painting, leaf puppets and more!

All ages welcome.

2pm – Solar powered music maker on a bike

2.30pm – Bling Your Bike Workshop

4pm – Cyclympics

Learn the basics, improve your skills and take part in the Bike Olympic challenges! Follow the leader, ring of fire, weaving through obstacles and more!

All ages welcome.

3pm – Cycle touring cooking display

Ever wanted to learn more about cooking while cycle touring? Now is your chance to check out different stoves and pick the brains of keen cycle tourer and cook Ciaran Hussey of Crank & Cog.

4.30pm Annual Slow Bicycle Race

The Slow Bicycle Race is fast becoming a defining event in the Leitrim Cycling Festival programme. The rules are simple but the challenge is anything but.

Are you up for it?!

All ages welcome.

6pm – Sourdough Pizza

Pete’s Pizza will be bringing his oven to Kilty to cook up mouth-watering sourdough pizzas. This is good food not fast food. These are not to be missed! €10 per pizza

7pm – Dj

Sunday 19th September 2021

All day cycles / Human-on-a-bike library

Another chance for a self-led cycle or to ‘borrow’ a human-on-a-bike and hear their story!

10.20am – Three wheel bike and handcycle bike

Michelle Maguire, Social Inclusion Officer with Leitrim Sports Partnership will be running a bike workshop suitable for those with disabilities.

11am – Sensory workshop and family cycle

Artists Natalia Beylis and Laura McMorrow invite you to go on a creative adventure and explore your environment in a new way by focusing on your senses. Discover new treasures in your world that you’ve never noticed before and learn how to be present in nature.

12.30pm – Festival finale

Lap of Kilty followed by tea and cake.

Join us for the official close of the Leitrim Cycling Festival.

Cycle round the Kilty roundabout and have a cup of tea with new and old friends.

Make plans for future cycles.

Share ideas.

Swop addresses.

Chat about what we can all do to get more people to enjoying cycling more often…

And for those who want more….

1.30pm – Organic centre cycle – approx 20km round trip

The Organic Centre in Rossinver will be serving food in the cafe until 5pm.

Beautiful cycle and great food!