Bike Western Ireland
Destination: Ireland
Activity: Bicycle Touring, Cultural Tours
Duration: 7 days
How Tough? Moderate
When? April-July, October
For Kids? For Teenagers And Adults
On this seven-day adventure, you enjoy a bicycle tour of Connemara and Clare in western Ireland.
Your bicycle tour begins in Galway, from where you head to Clifden, along some of the most spectacular coast roads in Ireland. Clifden is full of lovely little shops, and a wander through the village is recommended.
Cycle to Renvyle along a road that has been called “the nicest road in all of Ireland” — the road from Recess to Leenane. Along the way, you visit one of the most spectacular abbeys in all of Europe, Kylemore Abbey. Built in 1745 by the Liverpool merchant Henry Mitchell for his wife at an astronomical cost of 1.2 million pounds.
Enjoy a rest day in Renvyle, and choose from a variety of activities, including a cycle to Killary Harbour, or fishing off a boat on Renvyle’s private lake.
After a ride to Oughterard, you transfer back to Galway to begin your tour of County Clare. You will be astounded at the scenery along the coastline. You stay in Doolin, a village famous for its lively pubs.
On your last spin, you head inland through much greener and more lush countryside to Carryrgerry House. The house was built 250 years ago and has been lovingly restored by its present occupants.
Tour plan
Day 1: Arrive. You will be met at the airport and driven to Feakle. Tonight you stay at Smith’s hotel, a lovely family run hotel in the middle of the countryside.
Day 2: Drive to Galway. Start cycling on the far side of the city. Cycle to Clifden via some of the most spectacular coast roads in the country. Some of the beaches you pass are among the cleanest in Europe and the color of the water is lovely. Stay at Foyle’s, in the center of Clifden. Clifden is full of lovely little shops, so a wander through the village is recommended.
Day 3: Cycle to Renvyle via a road that has been called in the press ‘the nicest road in all of Ireland’, the road from Recess to Leenane. Along the way you visit one of the most spectacular abbeys in all of Europe — Kylemore Abbey. Built in 1745 by the Liverpool merchant Henry Mitchell for his wife, at an astronomical cost of 1.2 million pounds, it is now an exclusive girl’s school run by the Benedictine nuns. You then head for Renvyle where you stay at Renvyle House, a beautiful country hotel with an emphasis on good food and great singing.
Day 4: There are a host of activities open today, cycle to Killary Harbour, once home to the entire British Atlantic fleet, or if a spot of fishing takes your fancy you can fish off a boat on Renvyle’s private lake. Or maybe one might like to go horseback riding on the beach and trek a little of the countryside? That can be arranged. How about a game of Tennis on Renvyle’s court? No problem. If you like snooker, Renvyle house has a fantastic snooker room. Renvyle house is also right on the beach and the Atlantic ocean, while cold (okay, very cold!) is lovely to swim in. So you won’t go bored on this day!
Day 5: Cycle to Oughterard via Maam Cross. Today’s spin is fantastic from start to finish. Stay in a beautiful Guest House just outside the village.
Day 6: You have a 50 minute transfer this morning to the far side of Galway where you begin your tour of County Clare. You will be simply blown away be the scenery along the coastline. Tonight you stay in Doolin, a village famous for its lively pubs.
Day 7: Last spin today. You head inland through much greener and more lush countryside to a place called Carryrgerry House. This house was built 250 years ago and has been lovingly restored by its present occupants, the Van Kooyks.
Day 8: Departure day.
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