Cycle with Ledwidge from Slane to Dunsany

A gentle spin along the roads that the poet himself knew very well will take place on Sunday next to mark the centenary of the death of Francis Ledwidge and the Slane poet's connections with Dunsany.
To commemorate Ledwidge's links with Dunsany through his patron, Edward Plunkett, the writer and 18th Lord Dunsany, a Ledwidge Centenary Cycle will start at Slane National School at 2.30pm on Sunday and proceed through Beauparc, Yellow Furze, Walterstown and Skryne, finishing at the GAA grounds in Dunsany. There will be some poetry readings along the way to break the journey, and afterwards, a Ledwidge evening will take place at Dunsany GAA clubhouse.
Anyone wishing to participate can register online at www.skanenews.com/ledwidge. Riders are encouraged to use older bikes and wear clothes that are in keeping with Ledwidge's time. There will be a fee of €10 which includes refreshments and fod afterwards, and a commemorative pin.
Afterwards, some short readings and talks will take place in Dunsany, with broadcaster John Quinn, and writers Liam Cahill and John Donohoe amongst others, and this event is open to all, free of charge.
Organiser Jim O'Leary says: 'We thought a cycle from Slane to Dunsany would be an especially appropriate form of commemoration because Ledwidge would have made the journey by bicycle many times.
'Indeed, it is clear that some of his poetry - like 'Skryne Cross Roads' was inspired by what he saw along the way. It is also worth mentioning that his bicyle was a very important part of his life, so much that he had a name for it, 'Pegasus'.'

 

Ledwidge Cycle: Notice to Motorists

 

The Ledwidge Centenary cycle from Slane to Dunsany takes place this Sunday. Motorists are requested to drive carefully along the route of the cycle and, if possible, to avoid some of the smaller roads that the cyclists will be using.

 

The cycle will start at Slane National School on the Collon road at about 2:30 and will proceed along the N2 to McGruder’s Cross turning right there for Beauparc. At Beauparc Station the route bears left for Yellow Furze where it bears left again and proceeds to the junction with the L1013. At that junction the cyclists will turn right, followed within 600 metres or so, by a left hand turn on to the L5053.

 The cycle then follows the L5053 straight through a number of crossroads as far as Walterstown Church where the cyclists will bear right, heading through Skryne Crossroads, and all the way to the junction at Swan’s pub where they will turn right for Dunsany, finishing at the GAA grounds there.