Irish Cycling Safaris

This tour takes you through some of the most historic areas in Ireland.  From the 5000 year old burial chambers at Newgrange to the stately castles such as Trim and Malahide Castles.

The route takes you out of Dublin on quiet back roads through the farm lands that service the city to the beautiful and historic Boyne Valley. On roads undiscovered by tourists the route heads north through the spectacular Cooley Mountains to the medieval town of Carlingford. Returning to Dublin through the rich pasture lands of Meath and Kildare the route passes the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland at Tara.

There is a mixture of hilly and flat roads on this tour. Leaving and approaching Dublin the roads are largely flat but are hillier further north.

Terrain: A mainly low lying terrain with gentle climbs. Afternoon of Day 2 and afternoon of day 3 do have climbs

Our tour start in the historical town of Ennis, renowned for its traditional music. We set off through rolling countryside on quiet backroads towards the Atlantic Ocean where we stay on its shores listening to the waves rolling in.

Each night we stay by the coast and every day our cycling is rewarded in some way. From the famous Cliffs of Moher (Europe's highest) to the village of Doolin (famous for its three pubs that compete to have the best music). Or the spectacular coastal ride from the matchmaking town of Lisdoonvarna to Ballyvaughan with the Burren on one side and views across to the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara beyond on the other.

We cycle deep into the heart of the Burren passing by its megalithic tombs and limestone plateaux on our way back to Ennis for a final night together.

Although the terrain is undulating, the mileage is not too high and this would be one of our least challenging tours in Ireland. Also due to the myriad of backroads in this area, the Clare tour is a great choice for making a bespoke tour to your exact needs, making days shorter and easier is always an option. We offer an "easy" tour in the area, which takes in an extra rest day and starts in Ennis and finishes in Galway. We offer a "family" tour which has reduced mileage each day. As well as this we offer shorter tours in Clare.  

Terrain: There are some hills on the route. With the exception of the roads in and out of Ennis, the traffic on the route should be quite light.

Connemara is one of the most popular destinations for cyclists coming to Ireland.   It's easy to see why Lonely Planet claimed that our Connemara Safari was one of the must do cycling trips in Europe.

This Safari starts and finishes in Galway city, Ireland's liveliest city with cobbled streets of entertainers, pubs spilling over with merriment and the wonderful backdrop of Galway Bay.  The tour starts with a transfer to the village of Clonbur,  away from busy roads, where the cycling starts.

Our route takes in the best of the area including the colourful town of Westport, the pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick, the stunning Delphi Valley, Killary Harbour, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden and the famous Sky Road. We ride across spectacular open bogland, pass deserted beaches. On our last day we take a ferry over to the Aran Island to visit the dramatic hill fort of Dun Aengus.   We stay overnight stay on the Island and take the late afternoon ferry back to the mainland on our last day.

Terrain: Climbs on day one becoming easier each day, lots of choices to make route easier or harder.

On the Connemara - Best of the West trip we take in some of the best that Connemara has to offer including Killary Harbour and the stunning Delphi Valley and the beautiful town of Westport.  However we head north into Mayo and cycle along the lovely Greenways Cycle towards the island of Achill. We have a chance to explore Achill with its stunning beaches before finishing up our tour cycling on quiet backroads to the Museum of Country Life near Castlebar. A transfer at the end of the week brings us back to the start point, the city of Galway.

This is an easier cycle, there is one day of climbing on our Connemara, Galway & Mayo tour which is not on this tour. Also mileage on this tour is a little lower which makes it a more suitable cycle for younger legs.   There are also options to take a break from cycling on a number of days,  for example we arrive early in Leenane and you have the choice of relaxing in the hotel spa or you can keep cycling on some fantastic routes.

Terrain: This tour does not involve any major climbs and it is a good option for those looking to take it a bit easier.

The tour starts in Kilkenny, perhaps the most attractive Irish city. It is dominated by a spectacular castle on a bend in the river Nore and has a wealth of historic buildings knitted together by narrow cobbled streets boasting many lively pubs and fine restaurants.

This tour blends some of Ireland's best heritage sights with a relatively undiscovered but still stunning coastline. Leaving Kilkenny behind, the cycle brings you towards the coast where our first stop is New Ross, whose famine ship gives a haunting reminder of a dark chapter in Irish history. Some more recent history can be experienced at the Kennedy Visitor centre,  dedicated to JFK whose family came from this area, before a quaint ferry will bring us across Waterford Harbour to stop at the truly special place of Dunmore East. Here there are lovely beaches and magnificent views to enjoy.

The Copper Coast itself is a spectacular cycle where the road twists along cliffs and then plunges into and out of coves. The picturesque seaside town of Dungarvan is where we take our rest day, before heading inland to the Rock of Cashel. This is one of Ireland's most spectacular archaeological sites, standing proudly atop a limestone hill dominating the surrounding countryside. The nearby Bru Boru Heritage and Cultural centre provides an interesting insight into Irish traditional music.

The cycling finishes in Cashel and after visiting the Castle there is a transfer back to Kilkenny for a final night on the tour.

Terrain: Some hills. With the exception of the roads in and out of the larger towns, the traffic on the route should be quite light.

We keep to quiet backroads passing some of Ireland's most wonderful coastal scenery. Dramatic mountains fall into the Atlantic Ocean interspersed with some of the most unspoilt beaches you are likely to find. We continue through a rolling landscape of quiet sleepy villages and stop in Leo's pub where Enya and Clannad first sang.

Your cycle starts to the wonderful coastline towards the Slieve League Marine Cliffs on our way to the first nights stop, the Irish speaking village of Glencolmcille.

Your cycle brings you through Glenveigh, Ireland's largest National Park where conservationists work hard to keep the wild rhododendron under control. Your rest day is in the seaside village of Dunfanaghy before you continue on our journey to the town of Ramelton. Your last days cycle see you exploring the wonderful Fanad peninsula before a final transfer brings you back to Donegal town for a final night on the tour.

Terrain: The roads are all tarmaced & mostly on quiet back roads. Some steep climbs and winding roads. Undulating terrain.

Our Safari starts and finishes in Killarney, shadowed by the MacGillikuddy Reeks and adjacent to the famous Muckross National Park. We head deep into the Iveragh Peninsula along quiet backroads toward the villages of Sneem and Glenbeigh.

On towards Dingle Peninsula, the most westerly point in Europe, sees us cycling along he dramatic Slea Head coast amongst Neolithic ruins with wonderful views out to the Skelling and Blasket Islands. We rest amongst the great array of shops and restaurants that the town of Dingle has to offer. The weary may pause for a well earned pint in the famous Dick Macs pub, which doubles up as a cobbler!

Conor Pass stretches the legs as we take in the stunning vistas of the peninsula from its lofty perch before enjoying the freewheel down to lunch. Our last day's cycle takes us through the Gap of Dunloe and Black Valley, a fitting finish to this dramatic tour, before we end up all too quickly back in Killarney.

We also organise a short tour which focuses on the Iveragh Peninsula.

A wonderful tour that hugs the coastline all along West Cork.Our starting point is Cork City on the banks for the river Lee. It is the river that provides our inspiration as we begin our journey following backroads along its course to the wonderful glacial lake and hermitage retreat of Gougane Barra.

The fresh salty air of the Atlantic Ocean is our next inspiration as we sweep down towards Bantry Bay and take in the wonderfully remote and unspoilt charms of the Sheep's Head Peninsula. We hug the coastline for the rest of the week takin in the charming villages of Baltimore, Union Hall and Glandore, with the nearby Neolithic stone circle of Drombeg.

The towns of Clonakilty and Kinsale await where the brightly coloured villages compete with each other for your attention, all this connected by sweet scented fushia-lined backroads. The set departure date tours finish up in Kinsale, whereas the self guided tour heads back to Cork city for the last night.

Many visit Dublin without seeing its best feature, the coast. Our safari takes in the beautiful southeast coastline as well as the magnificent landscapes and rich history and folklore that the Wicklow Mountains has to offer.

Our self guided Wicklow tours starting from Dublin, we take straight to the coast passing through Dalkey (with its many famous residents) and on towards the beautiful Killiney Bay (likened to the Bay of Naples) and the tiny village of Enniskerry where we spend one night. The following day you head into the heart of the Wicklow Mountains as you explore the 'Garden of Ireland' in all its beauty. It is in its deep glens that much of the peculiar charm of Wicklow scenery is to be found, with rugged natural features, rich and lavish woods, beautiful lakes and stunning valleys.

You spend two nights in Laragh, located beside the monastic village of Glendalough with its ruined abbey and distinctive round tower. Here you have the opportunity to relax in the tranquil surroundings and walk one of the numerous signed ways around the surrounding lakes. We head over the mountains to Glenmalure and stay in the lovely peaceful village of Aughrim before continuing to the harboured Wicklow town. On the last day you will cycle inlands again, before being transferred back to Dublin, for a final night in this vibrant capital city.

The roads are all tarmaced and mainly on quiet back roads, except at start of cycle. Some steep climbs and rolling hills.

Shadowed by mountains and adjacent to Muckross National Park, Killarney has been impressing visitors with its dramatic scenery, long before Queen Victoria made it fashionable.

Our Safari winds its way through the National Park, passing by the famous "Ladies View", to bring us to the coast and the picturesque town of Kenmare. We then make our way out along the Beara Peninsula following its Northern Edge with its stunning vistas and colourful villages of Eyeries and Allihies.

Castletownbere offers an obligatory pint at the famous McCarthy's bar before we take in the views and vistas afforded by the southern side of the peninsula. For 2021 we are taking a transfer direct to explore the magnificent jewel of West Cork, the Sheeps Head Peninsula The serenity of the glacial valley of Gougane Barra is a wonderful overnight stop before completing our loop by returning to Killarney.

Terrain: Although there are a few hills to climb the mileage on a number of days is low..