Some 26 cyclists of all ages and abilities departed from Loughnane & Quinn Memorial Hall in Labane, Ardrahan, in a socially distanced fashion to cycle a section of the route of the old Galway to Limerick road.
The idea of the event which was organised by Ardrahan / Labane Community Development Association and supported by the Galway County Council as part of National Bike week was to take in four of the Irish milestones found along the 17km cycle route.
Chairperson for Ardahan / Labane Community Development Association, Karen O’Neill, said; “In the era before GPS or widely distributed maps, milestones indicated distances to 18th and 19th century travellers, helped coach drivers to keep on schedule and were used to measure the fees for journeys and postage.
“John Costelloe, a local historian, was on hand to explain the history of these and the other interesting monuments to be found along the route. Sadly, there are only six remaining milestones on the road from Kilcolgan to Gort today.
“The total distance of 17km was completed by all. Many questions were asked at the rest stop at Drumhasna Castle, once the local garrison of the Black and Tans, which showed a great interest in local history.”
An information leaflet was developed on old roads and milestones which is available on the Ardrahan Heritage Facebook page with local trails being currently mapped that can be found in the Gort Cycle Trails’ group page.
