Grand West of Ireland Self-Guided

Arrive in Galway (there are regular buses from Shannon Airport or trains and buses from Dublin to Galway). Stay the night in guesthouse in this bustling historic university town. If bicycle rental has been arranged we will meet you in the evening or first thing the following morning (depending on arrival time) to adjust the bicycle for you and talk you through the week ahead.

Galway – Ennis (78km – climb 205m) The route takes you away from the city along the coast to Oranmore but you leave the busier roads behind as soon as you reach Kilcolgan. From there it is on quiet backroads past the ruins of Kilcolgin Castle and more importantly Kilmacduagh (one of the best preserved early Christian monasteries complete with slightly leaning round tower) to the market town of Ennis. The main town of County Clare is colourful brimming with shops, restaurants and pubs with traditional Irish music. Even though this is a lengthy day there is very little in the way of climbing.

Ennis – Kilkee (ca 58km or 68km – climb 386m) You are leaving Ennis to cycle along quiet backroads to Kilkee located directly on the Atlantic Coast. During Victorian times Kilkee was a favoured holiday location thanks to its 2km long sandy beach offering safe swimming.

Loop Head (ca 36km or 64km – 256m / 354m) Loop Head the most westerly peninsula will offer you some sublime coastal scenery with its cliffs, arches, and freestanding pinacles. At the tip of Loop Head you will find a fully working lighthouse (not open to the public) offering a wide sweeping vista. The cycling is on very quiet backroads.

Kilkee – Lisdoonvarna / Doolin (ca 68km - 441m) Today's cycle will remain along the coast to the north passing Lahinch famous for the surfing and golfing, to Lisdoonvarna or Doolin (both villages famous for their traditional Irish music). Stay here for the next two nights. One of the alternatives lets you cycle past the Cliffs of Moher rising majestically more than 200m out of the sea.

Loop Day (various options- 51km, 58km and more - 416m) There are 3 different options for today all doing a circuit of the Burren, a unique lunar-like landscape providing botanical interest as well as rich in historical remains. Visit the village of Balllyvaughan, the Aillwee Caves, and ride past the Poulnabrone Dolmen as well as other burial chambers.

Doolin for ferry to Inishmore (various options) Cycle the 7km to the village of Doolin to take the ferry (ticket not included) to the island of Inishmore (the biggest of the 3 Aran Islands). If not done the days before you can cycle to the Cliffs of Moher in the morning. The island is very rich in historid and pre-historic sites and highlights include the cliff top fort of Dun Angeus, the Seven Churches and the coast road to the west of the port village of Kilronan. The island is famous for the knitwear that bears the Aran name. Spend the night on the island to get a feel for island life.

Back to mainland (Rossaveal) by ferry - Clifden (ca 58km (205m) longer option available) After a morning spent exploring the island further and visit for example the fantastically located
Black Fort (a 3,000 year old promontory fort), you take the ferry back to Rossaveal at noon. You will be heading north into Connemara proper. There are great views towards the Twelve Bens (the 12 mountains at the centre of the Connemara National Park). Turning west you ride across the peats bogs (where you can watch peat digging in progress) to Cashel and across another Bog Road to Clifden. This colourful small town is often labelled the metropole of Connemara. Here you will stay for two nights, and you may enjoy traditional Irish music in its pubs.

Clifden loop rides (ca 40km climb 152m, 58km (320m), 90km) There are 3 options to choose from, the core describing a figure of eight loop based on Clifden. On the way you can visit the village of Ballyconneely where Alcock and Brown crash landed their biplane after completing the first transatlantic flight in 1919. There are some very beautiful beaches here. In Roundstone you can see traditional musical instruments being made by hand. There is a wonderful a ride out along the Sky Road to enjoy some sublime coastal scenery, and for the enthusiastic rider you continue along more coastal scenery to Claddaghduff and Aughrusbeg.

Clifden – Leenane (65km – shortest 36km (247m) or 75km – climb 486m) Leave Clifden behind to cycle through the beautiful Lough Inagh Valley to Kylemore, where you may like to visit Kylemore Abbey. From here there are choices to cycle along the coast to Lettergesh or to go a more direct route to Leenane. This small village is located on Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. It was the location for the film “The Field”.

Leenane – Westport (ca 62km – can be extended -climb 162m for shortest to 682m for longest option) A beautiful and gentle day in the hills of Connemara and Mayo. Cycle on very quiet roads along the lakes of Lough Mask and Lough Nafooey. Westport where you stay for 2 nights is a colourful market town in County Mayo. Here it is not difficult to find pubs with traditional Irish music.

Westport Loop day (54km, 68km climb: 487m – can be extended) This is a beautiful loop ride around Croagh Patrick (Ireland's holy mountain) visiting the village of Louisburgh and heading back to Westport along Clew Bay. Along the way visit the National Famine Memorial, Murrisk Friary and the Croagh Patrick visitor centre. Or hike up this mountain on a pilgrim’s path. Alternatively cycle the Great Western Greenway.

Departure. Breakfast, followed by farewell and departure for your onward journey.