The 1903 Irish Gordon Bennett Cup Race

The Gordon Bennett Route will take you on an historic journey across spectacular Irish countryside and into the picturesque towns and villages of Kildare, Carlow and Laois.

Stage 1
From Ballyshannon to Carlow

Setting out from Ballyshannon Crossroads southwest of Old Kilcullen at the end of the M9 motorway from Dublin, follow the Gordon Bennett Route signposts through Co. Kildare heading for Carlow town.

1. OLD KILCULLEN
2. KILGOWAN LONG STONE
3. BALLITORE
4. IRISH PEWTER MILL, TIMOLIN
5. MOONE HIGH CROSS
6. CASTLEDERMOT ABBEY, ROUND TOWER & HIGH CROSS

Nearby Attractions
A. MONDELLO PARK MOTOR RACING CIRCUIT
B. PUNCHESTOWN RACECOURSE & STANDING STONES
C. DUCKETT’S GROVE – NEAR CARLOW TOWN
D. BROWNSHILL DOLMEN, NEAR CARLOW TOWN
E. ALTAMONT GARDENS, TULLOW, CO. CARLOW

Gordon Bennett Stage 2
From Carlow to Athy

Follow the Gordon Bennett Route signs into Carlow town before heading north-west towards Athy
7. CARLOW TOWN
8. COUNTY CARLOW MILITARY MUSEUM
9. DELTA GARDEN CENTRE AND SENSORY GARDENS
10. THE BARROW WAY

Around Carlow Town
11. CARLOW COURTHOUSE
12. ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE
13. CARLOW CATHEDRAL
14. CARLOW CASTLE

Nearby Attractions
F. KILLESHIN ROMANESQUE DOORWAY
G. SLIEVE MARGY WAY
H. OLD LEIGHLIN
I. BAGENALSTOWN
J. BORRIS
K. MOUNT LEINSTER & THE BLACKSTAIRS MOUNTAINS
L. CLASHGANNY LOCK

Gordon Bennett Stage 3
From Athy to Kildare

From Athy town follow the Gordon Bennett Route signs north taking in for the second time Ballyshannon Crossroads, the starting point for the famous 1903 race, and on to Kilcullen before crossing the Curragh Plains into Kildare town.

15. ATHY
16. THE MOAT OF ARDSCULL
17. KILCULLEN TOWN, THEATRE AND HERITAGE CENTRE
18. THE CURRAGH
19. KILDARE TOWN AND HERITAGE CENTRE
20. ST. BRIGID’S CATHEDRAL AND ROUND TOWER
21. IRISH NATIONAL STUD, JAPANESE GARDENS & ST.FIACHRA’S GARDEN

Gordon Bennett Stage 4
Kildare to The Heath

Follow the Gordon Bennett Route signs out of Kildare to Monasterevin and south-west towards Portlaoise.

22. MONASTEREVIN TOWN AND BRIDGES
23. MOORE ABBEY WOOD
24. EMO COURT & GARDENS
25. COOLBANAGHER CHURCH
26. THE HEATH OF MARYBOROUGH
27. MORETTE CASTLE

Nearby Attractions
M. VICARSTOWN/FISHERSTOWN
N. POLLARDSTOWN FEN – MILLTOWN
O. THE HILL OF ALLEN
P. MOUNTMELLICK
Q. PORTARLINGTON

Gordon Bennett Stage 5
From The Heath to Athy

Follow the Gordon Bennett Route signs east across Co. Laois towards Athy.
28. THE ROCK OF DUNAMAISE
29. STRADBALLY
30. WINDY GAP

Nearby Attractions
R. PORTLAOISE
S. ROUND TOWER OF TIMAHOE
T. HERITAGE TOWN OF ABBEYLEIX
U. DURROW
V. HEYWOOD GARDENS
W. IRISH FLY-FISHING & GAME-SHOOTING MUSEUM
X. DONAGHMORE WORKHOUSE & AGRICULTURAL wMUSEUM
Y. AGHABOE ABBEY
Z. SLIEVE BLOOM MOUNTAINS

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