The trails are enjoyable and as I approach middle age, they suit me quite well. Not so much for the club rider though. We have a few criticisms There is not enough of trails. (As the crow flies you have Ballinastoe in Wicklow and the next nearest trail is actually in Wales) With the exception of Ballyhoura on the Cork-Limerick border there are no facilities. No first aid, no bike repair centre, no toilets or showers. There is also a distinct lack of maintenance of the trails. With the traffic that Ballinastoe gets it is now worn by up to a foot in places.

However without them almost all mountain bike trails in Ireland would be on prohibited areas effectively making the mountain biker a trespasser, and liable to a fine. There are four areas which have purpose built mountain bike trails. Derroura near Oughterard Co. Galway; Ballyhoura on the Cork-Limerick border; Portumna Forest Park on the banks of Lough Derg Co. Galway; Ballinastoe, North Co. Wicklow. The trails are designed with safety in mind so speed is kept within limits and walkers and bikers by and large do not come across one another. They also run in one direction only.