Galway, Doolin, Aran Islands, Clifden

Designed for riders short on time who want to see as many highlights as possible, this 3-night self-guided tour captures the essence of cycling the Irish countryside: spectacular scenery, small rural villages, welcoming pubs, and good food and music each night. After a briefing and bike fitting in Galway, riders head south into County Clare and the Burren. They stop at Kinvara's Dunguaire Castle before following the coast road via Ballyvaughan and Fanore to Doolin.

A morning ferry carries riders to the Aran Islands to explore quiet island roads and the 3,000-year-old clifftop fort of Dún Aonghasa, with an overnight stay on the island. The next day a ferry to Rossaveal leads to a ride across the peat bogs and Gaeltacht villages of South Connemara to Clifden. A final morning ride explores the Sky Road before the tour ends in Clifden.

Highlights:

• The Burren landscape and Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara
• The Fanore coast road, Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher
• An overnight stay on the Aran Islands and Dún Aonghasa
• The bogs and Gaeltacht villages of South Connemara
• Clifden and the Sky Road
• Welcoming pubs and traditional music

Surface and terrain:
Quiet sealed rural and coastal roads, plus narrow island lanes on the Aran Islands. Gradient is rated easy to moderate.

Weather:
The tour runs April to October, so riders should expect changeable Atlantic conditions and pack wet-weather gear.

Suitable for:
Reasonably fit riders short on time who are comfortable with a long first day of up to 80 km (which can be shortened by car transfer) and shorter days after that.