This weekend we found ourselves back in the ballyhouras which was just as well given the scale of the flooding in the rest of the country over the last few weeks. As we made our way down it rained non stop from Wexford to Ballyhoura country. The rivers along the way were swollen beyond their banks and every low lying field had become a lake, we weren’t even in the worst of it.

While the media argued the toss last week about whether this was a 1 in 800 year event or whether it was likely to occur every 10 years from now on, those in the low lying areas had the worst of all nightmares visited upon them, loosing everything, their property their businesses and all they had worked for over years. Sandbags were poor defense against the volume of water which pooled over thousands of acres of farmland and villages. Neighbour helped neighbour through day and night  to salvage whatever could be saved from the relentless attack of water. Water everywhere and not a drop to drink, as clean water supplies became contaminated with waste material. In the end little could be done except to head for higher ground.

Great to see the Ballyhoura mountain biking trails in Limerick on the TV tonight on RTE’s Nationwide Program. They got straight to the point and went to Ballyhoura and interviewed a number of people who says its is one of the best places in Ireland to go and it’s true. We’ve done it many times and even going this weekend.

Ballyhoura Trails on RTE.

On MountainBiking.ie we were one of the first websites in the country go specifically head to this Mecca of Biking to document the trails a number of years ago. We found a well structured trail and fantastic facilities.

It’s like driving into the car park of the local golf club, full car park and club house etc. They interviewed Mary O’Brien who is the recreation officer with Coillte who explained about their annual season pass costing 30 euro.

The show went on to talk about the Events and Races that are run there and they also talked to Chris from XTC mountain Bike hire who has a place there to rent bikes all year round.

Meave Baxter downhill European champion was also interviewed and told us its the best in Europe!

Well done to Nationwide for bring our sport to the masses. If you missed the show check it out on the RTE player website