Top 10 family cycles in Ireland - where you don't have to worry about traffic

Lockdown made hikers and bikers of us all.

With less traffic on the roads, and more time on our hands, all over the country bikes were dusted down and squeaky chains oiled.

It was "like Center Parcs," as one parent told me, nodding to the car-free holiday campus in Co Longford.

Travel restrictions reconnected us with family time, nature and the outdoors (I had the same tank of petrol in my car for months). But it felt like drivers were more considerate too, giving way to a nostalgic feeling of freedom as we wobbled about our 2km, 5km and 20km circuits.

Cycling is cheap (if not free); it's healthy, sustainable, takes us away from crowds, and talk continues as regards how to make city streets more bike-friendly, with numbers limited on public transport.

Its popularity only looks set to continue. Here are 10 of the best family cycles in Ireland.