d88&89 Sep22&23 Sat&Sun Sligo-Dublin-Holyhead-Euston-Sawbridgeworth

Sat
0900 train from Sligo
1430 ferry from Dublin
16:30 arrived at Holyhead for the night
South Stack lighthouse with the Lleyn Peninsular in the background

Sun
10:55 train (currently Mr Branson's) from Holyhead
14:45 at Euston then picked up by W
16:00 Sawbridgeworth

d87 c42 Sep21 Fri 910 Ballina-Sligo 1335 38m1707

FINISHED.  
Rolling countryside, sunny day, not much wind, not far to cycle  - -  comfortable finale.  
In Sligo, met up with people I'd encountered on the eve of my ride, June 30.   Quite a welcome in one bar.

d86 c41 Sep20 Thu 915 Castlebar-Ballina 1150 23m1683

One of those murky drizzly days  - -  several changes between dry&wet gear.
Short cycle day through pleasant countryside.
Arrived with time to make travel bookings.

d85 c40 Sep19 Wed 1940 Achill Sound-Castlebar 1340 52k2657

With the help of a chap from the local hardware store, I tried to fix the gear change mechanism, but failed.
Rode 32miles inland, in top gear, to a town I'd heard had a bike repair shop, and found it.   Bike repaired.

d84 c39 Sep18 Tue 1000 Louisburgh-Achill Sound 1800 43m1618

The majority of today's ride was along the 'Greenway' a reconditioned old railway route, with many deviations.   The cycling was comfortable except for some of the deviations, but slow through having to negotiate intersections, gates, and cattle grids.
Approaching Achill Sound

Then  - -  'Houston, we have a problem.'  
The derailleur gear change cable broke with the result that I was stuck in top gear  - -  fine for downhill but hard going uphill or cycling into the wind.   Made the last 11k to Achill Sound.   Phoned around but found no close cycle shops or sources for a derailleur cable.   I'll either have to complete the tour in top gear or find a way of rigging a partial fix.

d83 c38 Sep17 Mon 1000 Clare Island-Louisburgh 1800 19k2534

Explored a good chunk of Clare Island by bike,
the harbour

another view with Achill Island (tomorrow's objective) in the distant background

but couldn't get to the lighthouse because the road was becoming increasingly agricultural and I did not want to risk breaking a wheel at this stage of the tour. Took the 1645 ferry back to the mainland and cycled to the first village likely to offer me a bed.

d82 c37 Sep16 Sun 1020 Clifden-Inishturk-Clare Island 2000 46m1563

Cycled up over high ground skirting the Twelve Pins of Connemara, and down to Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord.

Then up through the Doo Lough pass

and down to Roonagh Quay.
Encountered several times a Brazilian couple, T&J, who I'd met the night before in Clifden.
Took the ferry to Inishturk

and then to Clare Island, arriving at 20:00 and being pointed to a friendly hostel for dinner and bed.