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Galway & Islands - Ireland

GALWAY & ISLANDS CYCLING TOUR - The charming Connemara region including the vibrant and historic city of Galway is where your tour travels. Another hightlight is the visit to Inishmore, the biggest of the Aran Islands just off the Connemara coast. You can enjoy B&B lodging in charming Irish villages where you will find traditional Irish music and welcoming locals. This rural part of Ireland is a great escape, and truly relaxing; quiet country roads, roadside pubs, clean sea-swept air make each ride a delight.

B&B lodging, Irish folk music, ferry plus Inishmore/Aran Islands overnight

5 Reasons to Cycle Ireland

General Tour Information

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Dates: Anytime from April to October; about weather: the region has mild temperatures year round; and rain can happen any time but is rarely sustained. Everyone is advised to bring a rain jacket, but green fields, rainbows, and welcoming inns will make you fall in love!

Level 2 - Advanced Beginner to Intermediate; longer options, some rolling countryside. This is a self guided tour.

Options: Longer cycling options
Dublin and Galway stopovers
Hotel upgrade in Clifden (2 nights)
Massages/Spa visits

Local Coordinator

Wilma is our local coordinator for this trip, and it is she who will meet you for orientation and assist you for emergency support throughout the trip. Wilma has lived and cycled throughout Connemara and Western Ireland for many years and is our local expert.

Customer Comments

"The trip exceeded my expectations in just about every way. It was awesome and challenging to be alone on a bike in a foreign country. I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure who is in good health."
- Van Hook B.

"I wanted to tell you what a fantastic time my sister and I had in Ireland. The hotels were great and the people very friendly. We especially enjoyed the beautiful scenery."
- Abracen M.

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8

Day 1 | Arrival Day

Arrival in Galway- from Dublin by train or air, you can arrive at this vibrant university town. If you arrive in Shannon we can help with alternate arrival plans. You have a night in a very comfortable 4 star hotel included right in the heart of old town Galway where you can find restaurants, pubs, and more. Tip: flights from Dublin on Aeran Air are cheap and faster than trains.

Parkhouse Hotel

4

Foster Street, Eyre Square, Galway

At the Park House Hotel in Galway you are guaranteed a warm welcome, exceptional service, luxury ac...

Day 2 | Ride Day 25 miles

In the morning, before riding, you will be met for an orientation, bike delivery, and then a transfer out of town to start your riding. The ride is a moderate 25 miles to to the small fishing village of Oughterard, and the ride takes quiet country back roads and passing Lough Corrib. Night in a very charming guesthouse, and dinner on your own. (B)

Waterfall Lodge

Oughterard, Co Galway

An elegant period residence with antique furnishings, set in a mature garden. Private river and wat...

Day 3 | Ride Day/Island Ferry - 20 miles plus option

From Oughterard, you will cycle the scenic plateau of deserted moorland towards South Connemara. You will depart for Rossaveal, a few miles away, where you will meet the ferry to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Island chain. You will take your overnight gear with you, and the rest of your luggage will be transfered to tomorrow night's hotel. On Inishmore, discover island life and visit the famous Dun Aengus fort, perched alongside a cliff, you can ponder its origins and design. Other interesting antiquities include ruins of early Christian monasteries and churches. You will stay in a local guesthouse and enjoy a dinner out on your own. (B)

Ard Einne Guesthouse

3

Galway and Clare coastlines

Ard Einne is a 3 star family run guesthouse for over 25 years. It provides stylish, tasteful and c...

Day 4 | Ride Island/Ferry Return - 10-20 miles

Spend a good part of your day visiting the antiquities of Inishmore including its christian monasteries and churches. At 4pm take the ferry back to the Connemara town of Rossaveal, and on to an area where Gaelic is still the first language and in Costelloe is the Irish speaking radio and television stations. Stay the night in a cosy B&B where the landlady will be cooking for you (Dun Manus)(B,D).

Dun Manus

Galway, Republic of Ireland

Overlooking the Atlantic. Mountains at back of house, nice walks. Tea, coffee on arrival. Home bakin...

Day 5 | Ride Day 20 miles plus option

You have a beautiful cycle day today around the Kilkieran Peninsula dotted with sandy beaches, coastal scenery, and bogscapes. Arrive later at Cashel where you will stay the night in a friendly and deluxe 4 star hotel. Cashel is located on Bertraghboy Bay and was a destination of Charles de Gaulle (where he stayed in the same hotel). (B,D) Enjoy dinner in the restaurant with sunset on the Atlantic for a view!

Zetland House Hotel

4

Cashel Bay, Connemara

Zetland Country House Hotel, Connemara - Luxurious Four Star accommodation stands on the edge of Cas...

Day 6 | Ride to Clifden 23 miles

Today you will ride to Clifden passing the charming fishing village of Roundstone, made famous by the painters who have admired it for its harbor and ocean views. You will ride past sandy beaches and have a view of the Twelve Bens peaks on the way to Clifden, about 23 miles. Stay in a very charming guesthouse, dinner on your own in town - several suggestions possible. (B) Hotel Upgrade possible.

Seamist Guest House

Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway

Bedrooms are spacious with high ceilings typical of a house of its era, all are en suite with tea an...

Day 7 | Loop Ride 10-35 miles

You can choose a ride from 10 miles to 35 miles today, riding around Sky Road to admire the views over the atlantic and the islands or go further to Claddaghduff and the fishing village of Cleggan before returning to Clifden. Dinner on your own. A good night to visit one of Clifden's many pubs - note that pubs in Ireland are now smoke free! (B)

Seamist Guest House

Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway

Bedrooms are spacious with high ceilings typical of a house of its era, all are en suite with tea an...

Day 8 | Departure Day

After a complete Irish breakfast, depart at your leisure for Galway; an express bus is suggested, but private taxi transfer is possible for a supplement of 120 euros (for up to 3 persons and luggage). (B)

What's Included

7 nights deluxe lodging in top quality guest houses and hotels/inns, all Irish breakfasts (substantial hot and cold offers), 2 dinners including a home cooked meal, all luggage transfers from hotel to hotel, local emergency support throughout your tour during daylight riding hours, arrival orientation and bike set up, route maps, route cue sheets with suggestions for visitation and site information, all pre and post travel planning services and a package of pre-travel documents sent electronically to help you prepare for your trip.

There is an upgrade option available for the 2 nights in Clifden; please see the price section. Upgrades is to a deluxe, luxury hotel in a totally different ambiance than the country charm and intimacy of guest houses.

Accommodation: top quality guesthouses; 4 star hotels; please inquire for more info or lookup each property above on the day to day itinerary by simply clicking on the hotel name shown below that day outline.

Tour Rates

Price Per person based on double occupancy: 1099 Euros per person

Single supplement (for a single occupancy room) when 2 or more persons traveling: 325 Euros

Solo supplement (traveling alone): 495 Euros.

Triples available in some locations, please inquire.

Upgrade Rates: 95 euros/person standard room or 155 euros/person deluxe room; both for Ballynahinch Castle near Clifden, for 2 nights in 4 star hotel.

Hybrid Bike Rentals are available for a supplement of 95 euros, please see the Bike Rental tab for all details about the bikes we offer. Road bikes are also available for 140 euros.

Private transfer Clifden to Galway: 120 euros for up to 3 persons.

(convert from euros)

Bike Info

Bike rentals are available for all tours in Ireland.

Note: pedals are flat or with clips; if you bring your own clipless pedals and shoes we can install them.

Hybrid Bike 95 euros: [Click for info ] New in 2012; Trek 7.3 FX hybrids, 24 speed, aluminum frame, with helmet, tire repair kit, handlebar bag, water bottle, rear panniers. ALSO available are Trek Alpha 1.5 road bikes in limited sizes as well as tandems. Road bike rentals are available at 140 euros. Includes delivery, pickup, and set up.

Other Notes: Child bikes and equipment available but limited.