Connemara, Galway and Mayo Tour
8 days - 7 nights Cycling Vacation in Ireland
Day 1 Saturday: Arrival in Galway
Meeting with the guide at 6.30pm in the bar of Jury’s Galway Inn Hotel at the bottom of Quay Street in the centre of Galway city (Tel: 091 566 444).
If you are unexpectedly delayed please call the hotel and leave a message for the guide as to when you expect to arrive. After dinner and an introductory chat from the guide we take a coach transfer to the village of Clonbur which lies on the peninsula between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, on the Galway/Mayo border. Once settled into our accommodation there is a chance to enjoy a drink and some traditional Irish music.
Day 2 Sunday: Galway/Clonbur to Westport 38 ml/60 km
Once fitted out with bikes, we head north along the quiet backroads through rolling green fields full of grazing sheep, before descending down to Lough Mask and a wonderful cycle along the shores of the lake. After lunch we have our biggest climb of the week over the Partry Mountains and then cycle along a quiet back road with stunning views of the surrounding landscape all the way to colourful village of Westport.
Day 3 Monday: Westport to Leenane 33 ml/52 km
We cycle between Croagh Patrick and the beautiful Clew Bay with its many small islands, to the village of Louisburgh where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we head south through one of the highlights of the week, the stunning Delphi Valley with its beautiful lakes overlooked by Ben Bury, the highest mountain in Connemara. That night we stay in the small village of Leenane which looks out over Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord.
Day 4 Tuesday: Leenane to Roundstone 45 ml/72 km
We cycle into the heart of Connemara overlooked by the Twelve Bens mountain range and visit Kylemore Abbey, a wedding gift from a wealthy Liverpool businessman to his wife in 1868. We then cycle along quiet backroads past small fields with grazing cattle to the seaside village of Cleggan where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we follow the scenic coast road to Clifden where you can watch cars travel across the beach to Omey Island only accessible when the tide is out! After a stop-off in Clifden, the capital of Connemara , we cycle along a quiet country bog road surrounded by small lakes and freshly cut peat with wonderful views of the Twelve Ben mountain range. That night we stay in the picturesque fishing village of Roundstone where we will spend the next two nights.
Day 5 Wednesday: Rest Day in Roundstone
The day can be spent in rest and relaxation or you can take part in a variety of activities, including a day sailing cruise, walking, and a game of golf or horse riding. You can also spend the day just relaxing on one of the two beautiful white sandy beaches just outside the village overlooking a clear blue sea. In the evening a ceili is typically organised in the hotel where we are staying.
Day 6 Thursday: Roundstone to Carraroe 32 ml/51 km
We cycle along beautiful waterways and another picturesque bog road with its freshly cut peat waiting to be harvested, both offering wonderful views of the surrounding countryside before cycling the final afternoon stretch to the Irish speaking village of Carraroe.
Day 7 Friday: Carraroe to the Aran Islands/Galway 22 ml/35 km
In the morning we cycle to the port of Rossaveel to board the boat to Inis Mor the largest of the Aran Islands. The day can then be spent touring the unique landscape of the island with its wealth of ancient stone forts and monastic sights. In the late afternoon we return to the mainland and take a bus back to Galway city. The total cost of the boat and bus is €20 which you pay your guide. We have a final dinner and night on the town together.
Day 8 Saturday: Departure Day