Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
Ireland County Clare & Connemara Bike Tour
DURATION
7 Day(s)
DAILY BIKING
11 to 39 miles
TRIP DIFFICULTY
2-Easier to Intermediate
REVIEWS
STARTING FROM
$4195
SINGLES ADD FROM
$1,000
Trip Overview
Here's a great recommendation for this bike tour: “Ireland, especially the rural West, is a cyclist’s dream.”
So says Bicycling magazine, and you will surely agree. There’s an endless network of winding back roads where lazy sheep are often your only company. Green meadows lead down to the sea, magical mist-covered mountains are off in the distance, while around every turn you are likely to come upon cows grazing around a medieval castle, Stone Age ruins, or the remains of an ancient cathedral.
Stone cottages are tucked along the edges of green pastures dotted with sheep, and each small village looks more Irish than the last. And the Irish are even friendlier than their reputation – warm and welcoming, and always ready to engage you in the gentle pleasures of good conversation while you enjoy a bit of traditional Irish music at the local pub.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
DAY 1 - Arrival Day
Distance: 10 miles | Terrain: Easier | Gregans Castle Hotel
Arrive at Shannon Airport. Discovery Bicycle Tours will provide transportation to Gregans Castle Hotel. After lunch, there will be a bike fitting and safety instructions followed by an afternoon warm-up ride. You cycle country lanes through County Clare’s “Burren” (a unique and beautiful limestone region with a remarkable set of plants and animals) and have opportunities to explore a 16th-century tower house castle and enjoy a pint at a local pub while listening to traditional Irish music.
Arrive at Shannon Airport. Discovery Bicycle Tours will provide transportation to Gregans Castle Hotel. After lunch, there will be a bike fitting and safety instructions followed by an afternoon warm-up ride. You cycle country lanes through County Clare’s “Burren” (a unique and beautiful limestone region with a remarkable set of plants and animals) and have opportunities to explore a 16th-century tower house castle and enjoy a pint at a local pub while listening to traditional Irish music.
DAY 2 - Cliffs of Moher
Distance: 24 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | Gregans Castle Hotel
Ride small country roads for an optional short walk along a clifftop leading to grand views of the Cliffs of Moher. You'll bike through charming Doolin — one of Ireland’s premier music towns — on your way to enjoying a spectacular oceanside ride to Ballyvaughan. After lunch, local guide Shane Connolly … a Renaissance Irishman with expertise in archaeology, botany, and local history … will lead an amusing stroll in search of the “true” Burren. Not to be missed!
Ride small country roads for an optional short walk along a clifftop leading to grand views of the Cliffs of Moher. You'll bike through charming Doolin — one of Ireland’s premier music towns — on your way to enjoying a spectacular oceanside ride to Ballyvaughan. After lunch, local guide Shane Connolly … a Renaissance Irishman with expertise in archaeology, botany, and local history … will lead an amusing stroll in search of the “true” Burren. Not to be missed!
DAY 3 - Aran Islands
Distance: 10, 14 or 18 miles | Terrain: Easier | The Rosleague Manor
Ferry out to the famous Aran Islands where we disembark on Inis Mor for a visit to the ancient for of Dun Aengus and ride along the rugged coastline. Returning to the island's main town of Kilronan, there's an opportunity to visit the famous sweater outlet, and often the pub draws cyclists in for a coffee, tea or something stronger before we ferry north of Galway to Connemara and the Rosleague Manor.
Ferry out to the famous Aran Islands where we disembark on Inis Mor for a visit to the ancient for of Dun Aengus and ride along the rugged coastline. Returning to the island's main town of Kilronan, there's an opportunity to visit the famous sweater outlet, and often the pub draws cyclists in for a coffee, tea or something stronger before we ferry north of Galway to Connemara and the Rosleague Manor.
DAY 4 - Majestic Moaamturk mountain views, plus lots of ewes.
Distance: 28 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | Rosleague Manor
Ride along Killary Harbor and in the valleys of the Maamturk Mountains for expansive views as well as getting up-close-and-personal with a host of sheep along the route. Visit the beautiful Benedictine Kylemore Abbey with their award-winning restaurant and stunning walled Victorian garden.
Ride along Killary Harbor and in the valleys of the Maamturk Mountains for expansive views as well as getting up-close-and-personal with a host of sheep along the route. Visit the beautiful Benedictine Kylemore Abbey with their award-winning restaurant and stunning walled Victorian garden.
DAY 5 - Letterfrack
Distance: 27 miles | Terrain: Easier | The Quay House
Departing the Rosleague Manor, you ride to Cleggan, then along the ocean and the famous Sky Road, past Clifden Castle and into into the picturesque town of Clifden. Stroll the streets of this lovely town with its many local crafts, shops and places of interest.
Departing the Rosleague Manor, you ride to Cleggan, then along the ocean and the famous Sky Road, past Clifden Castle and into into the picturesque town of Clifden. Stroll the streets of this lovely town with its many local crafts, shops and places of interest.
DAY 6 - Connemara region
Distance: 32 or 39 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Quay House
From Clifden, you take a road leading through peat bogs and past fishing weirs to the town of Roundstone, a lovely fishing village with excellent local pottery and jewelry, as well as the workshop where Malachy Kearns makes his world famous Bodhram drums. In the evening you enjoy more music in Clifden.
From Clifden, you take a road leading through peat bogs and past fishing weirs to the town of Roundstone, a lovely fishing village with excellent local pottery and jewelry, as well as the workshop where Malachy Kearns makes his world famous Bodhram drums. In the evening you enjoy more music in Clifden.
DAY 7 - Departure Day
After an early breakfast, Discovery Bicycle Tours will transport you back to Shannon Airport or to Galway for further transit by train or bus. Please note that even with an early start you will not arrive at Shannon Airport earlier than noon, so please book return flights accordingly. For suggestions or travel hints on post-tour adventuring or sorting travel by bus or train, please contact our office.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
6 nights’ lodging, 6 breakfasts, 5 dinners (you are on your own for 1 dinner), Guided tour of the Burren, Cliffs of Moher & Kylemore Abbey Free transfer from/to Shannon International Airport. We also provide detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support, bicycle and helmet. Airfare is not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
6 nights’ lodging, 6 breakfasts, 5 dinners (you are on your own for 1 dinner), Guided tour of the Burren, Cliffs of Moher & Kylemore Abbey Free transfer from/to Shannon International Airport. We also provide detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support, bicycle and helmet. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gregans Castle Hotel
Gregans Castle has been welcoming guests since the 1940s and has been operated by the same family since 1976. The stunning 18th century manor house is set in its own established and lovingly-attended gardens on the Wild Atlantic Way, and has spectacular views that stretch across the Burren hills to Galway Bay.
Inside, you'll find welcoming open fires, candlelight and striking decoration ranging from modern art, to antique furniture, to pretty garden flowers adorning the rooms.
Inside, you'll find welcoming open fires, candlelight and striking decoration ranging from modern art, to antique furniture, to pretty garden flowers adorning the rooms.
Rosleague Manor
Tucked away near the beautiful Connemara town of Letterfrack, just 15 kilometres from the buzzing town of Clifden, the Manor has been discreetly converted in to a first class hotel by its owners and proprietors, The Foyle Family, with meticulous care and attention to detail to retain its 19th Century charm and character.
Enjoy a unique dining in Clifden experience amidst open log fires and historical paintings – retire to one of our drawing rooms and enjoy a nightcap – or take to the Victorian conservatory and savour some afternoon tea.
Minutes from Kylemore Abbey, The Twelve Bens, Lough Inagh and the 5,000 acre Connemara National Park, this Letterfrack hotel is ideally situated for the most discerning explorer. Look no further for Clifden Hotels.
Enjoy a unique dining in Clifden experience amidst open log fires and historical paintings – retire to one of our drawing rooms and enjoy a nightcap – or take to the Victorian conservatory and savour some afternoon tea.
Minutes from Kylemore Abbey, The Twelve Bens, Lough Inagh and the 5,000 acre Connemara National Park, this Letterfrack hotel is ideally situated for the most discerning explorer. Look no further for Clifden Hotels.
The Quay House
Built for the Harbour Master nearly 200 years ago, The Quay House has been sensitively restored and now offers guest accommodation in fifteen bedrooms (all different) with full bathrooms – all but three overlook the Harbour. Family portraits, period furniture, cosy fires and a warm Irish welcome make for a unique atmosphere of comfort and fun.
The Quay House is Clifden’s oldest building, dating from C1820. It was originally the Harbour Master’s house but later became a Franciscan monastery, then a convent and finally a hotel owned by the Pye family. Now providing Town House Accommodation in Clifen, it is run by the Foyle family, whose forebears have been entertaining guests in Connemara for nearly a century. All rooms are individually furnished with some good antiques and original paintings; several have working fireplaces. All have large bathrooms with tubs and showers and there is also one ground floor room for wheelchair users.
The Quay House is Clifden’s oldest building, dating from C1820. It was originally the Harbour Master’s house but later became a Franciscan monastery, then a convent and finally a hotel owned by the Pye family. Now providing Town House Accommodation in Clifen, it is run by the Foyle family, whose forebears have been entertaining guests in Connemara for nearly a century. All rooms are individually furnished with some good antiques and original paintings; several have working fireplaces. All have large bathrooms with tubs and showers and there is also one ground floor room for wheelchair users.
Guests say …
Quotes from guests about this tour:
The tour was fantastic in every way and the fact that most of the guests had participated in other Discovery Bike tours says a lot!! The guides communicated to us all the necessary details and gave us options to meet our needs and interests. They went above and beyond in everything.
Rhonda B.
"Barb and Bill really made this trip a memory to treasure for years to come."
Dianne S.
"I really enjoyed the scenery, mules, sheep, cows and flowers on the less-traveled roads."
Sam and Trish.
"The guides are great. As always once I connected with the tour I could relax and just enjoy the beauty and how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to go on a tour to begin with. The bike routes on the quiet roads and scenery were exactly what I hoped to see and experience!"
Pamela C.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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