1946 – Tour of Munster
Carl Ehrenzella, Marion Smedley, Catherine Butler, Reginald Wareham, John Kean and Bernard Westley (Birmingham), Frank Leanard (Wednesbury), Margaret Young and Margaret Wilkinson (Kenilworth), Mary Donnellan (Walsall).
Saturday July 27th- Saturday August 10th
The Tour organised by Carl for St. Christopher’s C.C.C. after the Second World War was to introduce inexperienced cyclists into “continental” touring. Accommodation was for the most part provided by welcoming hotelliers.
Day 1
27th July, 1946
Route:
Train to Fishguard, Boat to Cork
Notes:
Leave Snow Hill at 9.10am from platfrom 12 for Fishguard
Duration / Distance:
N/A
Day 2
28th July, 1946
Route:
Cork, Blarney Castle
Notes:
Breakfast and Mass in Cork City
Duration / Distance:
12 miles
Day 3
29th July, 1946
Route:
Gouganne Barra Lakes
Notes:
This is a picturesque route; the pass of Keim-an-Eigh is one of the finest ravines in the country. Tradition says that St. Fin Barre drowned the only monster left by St. Patrick in Ireland, in the lake.
Duration / Distance:
40 miles
Day 4
30th July, 1946
Route:
Glengariff, Pass of Kein-an-Eigh, Tunnel 400ft. Turners Rock, Kenmare.
Notes:
From Glengariff the road rises in great sweeps high above the bay, with magnificent panoramas in all directions until it enters the 400ft. tunnel at Turner’s Rock. Entering Co. Kerry we freewheel down to Kenmare.
Duration / Distance:
40 miles
Day 5
31st July, 1946
Route:
Windy Gap (1617ft), Killarney
Notes:
Killarney is the highest spot in Ireland’s scenic beauty. Its combination of mountain, lake and river scenery with luxuriance of vegetation is incomparable. The name Killarney has become a synonym for beauty the world over.
Duration / Distance:
20 miles
Day 6
1st August, 1946
Route:
Gap of Dunloe, Sneem,
Notes:
The gap is a magnificent defile four miles long running between the Magillcuddy Reeks and the Purple Mountains. Very fine views across the Kenmare river.
Duration / Distance:
28 miles
Day 7
2nd August, 1946
Route:
Caherciveen, Valencia Island.
Notes:
Caherciveen – the birthplace of Daniel O’Connel, the hero of Catholic Emancipation in Ireland.
Duration / Distance:
39 miles
Day 8
3rd August, 1946
Route:
Tralee
Notes:
None
Duration / Distance:
40 miles
Day 9
4th August, 1946
Route:
N/A
Notes:
Rest Day
Duration / Distance:
N/A
Day 10
5th August, 1946
Route:
Abbeyfealle.
Notes:
None
Duration / Distance:
26 miles
Day 11
6th August, 1946
Route:
Limerick.
Notes:
Historic interest.
Duration / Distance:
39 miles
Day 12
7th August, 1946
Route:
Tipperary.
Notes:
Visit to the Shannon Electric Power Station, Tipperary.
Duration / Distance:
24 miles
Day 13
8th August, 1946
Route:
Rock of Cashel, Cahir.
Notes:
None
Duration / Distance:
24 miles
Day 14
9th August, 1946
Route:
Mitchelstown Caves, Mellary Abbey, Dungarvon.
Notes:
Visit to the Mitchelstown Caves which lie between the Galtee and Knockmealdown Mountains and are the finest in the country. They contain many stalactites and stalagmites of exquisite beauty. Also a visit to Mellary Abbey, Dungarvon.
Duration / Distance:
35 miles
Day 15
10th August, 1946
Route:
Waterford.
Notes:
Leave 6.30pm for Fishguard.
Duration / Distance:
29 miles
Day 16
11th August, 1946
Route:
Boat to Fishguard, Train to Birmingham
Notes:
Arrive in Birmingham 5.30pm.
Duration / Distance:
Total Distance – 396 miles