Luxury Cycling Tour: Connemara, the Aran Islands and the Burren

This self-guided luxury tour links Connemara, the Aran Islands and the Burren, reaching some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Ireland's west coast. Each night is spent in a castle, country house or luxury hotel. After arriving in Galway, riders are transferred to Connemara and cycle to Cong, spending the night at the Lodge at Ashford Castle.

The route continues through the quiet glacial valleys of Joyce Country to Leenane on Killary Fjord, then follows the Atlantic coast past Kylemore Abbey and through Connemara National Park to Clifden. The bog road leads to Rossaveal and a ferry to the Aran Islands to explore the prehistoric fort of Dún Aonghasa.

A ferry to Doolin brings riders to the Cliffs of Moher and along the Burren coast to Ballyvaughan. The final day visits ancient sites such as Poulnabrone Dolmen before a transfer back to Galway.

Highlights:

• Galway City and a night at the Lodge at Ashford Castle
• Mountains, lakes and bogs of Connemara, Killary Fjord and Kylemore Abbey
• The Aran Islands and Dún Aonghasa
• The Cliffs of Moher and the Wild Atlantic Way
• The Burren's limestone landscape and Poulnabrone Dolmen (3,000 BC)
• Five dinners in award-winning restaurants, plus pubs and traditional music

**Surface and terrain:**vv Quiet sealed country roads, forest tracks around Cong, the Connemara bog road and narrow island lanes. 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:
Riders wanting a premium, self-paced tour with 35–45 km standard days. Fitter riders can take longer options of up to 80 km, and alternate transport can be arranged on any day.

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