Cycling In Ireland

Ireland has more miles of road per square mile than any other country in the world. Also, even in the most mountainous areas, the roads do not rise very high above sea level, so cyclists have few hills to climb. What more could a cyclist want? Irish weather is excellent for an active holiday. It is rarely too hot in summer, or too cold in winter, to cycle. Nevertheless, don’t forget to bring good raingear! The scenery is wonderfully varied. There are mountains - though they are not high by Alpine standards (anything over 400m is a mountain in Ireland).

There are rich farmlands, and a dramatic coastline thousands of miles in length. There are castles by the thousand, Iron Age forts, prehistoric burial sites, cathedrals and churches, fine country houses and parks. The countryside is full of pleasant, relaxed towns and villages, and most important, there are Ireland’s welcoming people, always glad of a chat, especially in the pub in the evening. The pub is also the place to hear the best Irish traditional music, especially in the West. The cyclist can find solitude and great beauty by following the minor roads, which are often ignored by the motorist, to discover hidden beauty spots, secluded beaches and secret ruins.

We can arrange an Escorted cycling tour, an independent self-guided vacation, or a customized special-interest cycling group. Just let us know numbers, specific routes, degree of difficulty and group interests and we will tailor your very own cycling tour of Ireland. Different levels of accommodation also available. Contact us today to plan your your Ireland Cycling Safari!

Sample Cycling Itinerary-West Cork & Kerry Safari

This is one of the first and still most popular tours. You will start and finish in the hustle and bustle of Killarney before heading out on the Beara and Mizen peninsulas where you will stay in attractive seaside villages.

DAY 1  KILLARNEY
Meeting in the centre of Killarney with the tour guide and the rest of the group

DAY 2 KILLARNEY TO KENMARE 23 miles (37 kms)
You select your bike and set out via Muckross National Park. In the afternoon there is a choice of routes to the seaside town of Kenmare.

DAY 3  KENMARE to CASTLETOWNBEAR 32 miles (51kms)
You leave Kerry by cycling onto the beautiful and remote Beara Peninsula where we stay in the fishing port of Castletownbere..

DAY 4  CASTLETOWNBERE to SCHULL 38 miles (61kms)
After a morning cycle to Glengarriff you can take a boat across Bantry Bay, which shortens the afternoon cycle to the village of Schull

DAY 5   REST DAY IN SCHULL
Various activities can be arranged, or you can simply potter around local shops and pubs

DAY 6  SCHULL TO GOUGANE BARRA 35 Miles (51 kms)
After a lunch stop in Bantry House, you move inland to your evening destination by St. Finbar’s hermitage retreat at Gougane Barra

DAY 7  GOUGANE BARRA TO KILLARNEY 35 Miles (56 kms)
Heading homeward on little known roads with swimming stops in river pools along the way, you return to Killarney for a final evening meal and a night on the town.