Day 24 - Letterkenny to Dungloe - 78kms

It was a late start courtesy of Pauls late arrival and Henley's outrageous behaviour the night when he sculled a pint (yes this is the same man who does not drink!) - this behaviour set a bad example to Paul and self and it wasnt till after midnight that we exited the pub!

A telling climb out of Letterkenny settled the alcohol while and 20kms of winding roads got our road legs back working before a terrific climb and descent in the Dunveagh national park that took us past the highest mountain in Donegal (300 metres) and most likely as Paul told us the world!

While i was not entirely gullible Henley let the oz contingent down when told a sign at the Mtn car park that said food shop and service station 1 km (actually pointing down the road not up the Mtn) was in fact indicating services on top of the Mtn - Kev replied incredulously"why would you have a service station up there"!

Lunch was at the bottom of a great descent near Gweedore where Kev and I discussed ways of slowing down the Irish pocket rocket (Paul) who obviously loves his riding.


A beaut ride after lunch in warm conditions took us near the shoreline before we finally entered picturesque seaside village of Dungloe to told we'd arrive at a good time as they were celebrating their Mary festival - apparently a week long excuse for a piss up that involves music, shows, parades and the crowning of a "Mary".

Kev pretending to navigate on the way to Dungloe ! 

While at the tail end of the festival we had a good time in town listening to a street band playing rock covers- the other interest was watching the locals some of which were in danger of becoming road casualties as the towns main road ran incredibly between the performing band and onlookers meaning those inebriated or those simply dancing had a good chance of being run down by a car - crazy !

Again another few pints and courtesy of Paul we were fast becoming cycling alcoholics but hey what the heck when in Ireland ....