Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Festival (26–27 April) is Ireland’s premier endurance mountain bike event but it’s not just for biking experts. The relaxed, community-focused atmosphere of the festival ensures that riders of all abilities feel welcome and can experience the thrill of riding through spectacular mountain scenery.
Over two days the festival stages multiple events across categories including novice, e-bike, expert, and children’s. The events take place on flowing trails that span the border between counties Offaly and Laois and are some of the best and most picturesque on the island. On both days the beginner-friendly Coillte Biking Blitz sees a mass start cross-country event at 9am and is a great opportunity for families that want to bike together in a fun environment.
Alongside the biking events the festival presents lively entertainment on the Saturday evening with a Big Bike Film Night screening an evening of cycling-related short films, followed by traditional music in Giltraps Townhouse in Kinnity village.
All the races start from the beautiful Kinnity Castle Hotel a thirteenth-century castle seated on 650 acres of parkland. The hotel is ideal for those looking for luxury accommodation right in the heart of the festival. It has 37 distinctively designed bedrooms that feature furniture and fittings in keeping with the castle’s heritage.
Another luxury accommodation option is Ballyfin Demesne a five-star hotel set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The lavish Regency-era mansion was recognised as the world’s best hotel by Conde Nast in 2017 and has won multiple other awards. Its fine dining experience is headed up by a Michelin-starred chef.
There are plenty of other accommodation options in the area including bike-friendly guesthouses and B&Bs such as Ardmore Country House, a homely period residence with great views of the mountains. Giltraps Townhouseoffers en-suite rooms and a glamping site with six log cabins and a yurt.
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Slieve Bloom is just one of many great mountain biking areas on the island of Ireland. Among others are the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike TrailsOpens in new window in the mountains straddling the counties of Cork and Limerick, which are well known among cycling enthusiasts. And in the north, Castlewellan Forest Park has trails to suit all abilities through beautiful woodland while Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails offer some challenging routes for more experienced bikers.
