News April 25th, 2017

The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally Launch

The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally Launch: Tuesday May 9th. @ 2.30pm

Venue: Donaghmore Workhouse Museum, Rathdowney, Co. Laois.

The “Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally” was first held in 2014 as a unique event aimed at showcasing the hidden heritage and tourism potential of the South Midlands area of Ireland. Gaining its inspiration from William Bulfin, who cycled around Ireland in 1902, the event is a valuable introduction to the heritage that inspired much of the history, culture, music and storytelling of Ancient Ireland.

Following William Bulfin to South Laois

“William Bulfin was by no means the usual tourist and his greatest enthusiasms were for places that the usual tourist had not yet penetrated” (Benedict Kiely, Capuchin Annual 1948)

William Bulfin was born in Derrinlough, Co Offaly in 1864.

He emigrated to Argentina in 1883, where he worked among the native gauchos and cowboys before becoming proprietor and editor of “The Southern Cross” newspaper in Bueno Aires (now, the oldest Irish Diaspora newspaper in the world).

The Bulfin Heritage Cycle

Bulfin returned from Argentina in 1902. He then set off on a heritage fact-finding journey that took him through the highways and byways of Ireland on a steel framed bicycle made by Pierce Ironworks in Wexford. “Rambles in Eirinn” is an insightful book written by Bulfin about his cycling experience. The travelogue was published in 1907 and proved to be a resounding success, extending to a fourth edition, published in 1915.

The Bulfin Heritage Cycle Rally (In the “Wheelrims” of William Bulfin) August 26th & 27th 2017

Exploring the Hidden Heritage of South Laois and North Kilkenny

For further information please contact the organisers: Legends Vintage Cycle Club.

Matt Doyle 086 0537356 Hugh Sheppard 086 8694691. Noel Mooney 087 9517311

Email: durrow.doings@gmail.com