All roads lead back in time in County Clare and Connemara, where rush hour traffic might consist of a local farmer and his herd of cows! In County Clare, a single day’s ride encompasses 3,000 years of history as you spin past a prehistoric dolmen, an Iron Age ring fort, and once-powerful castles and abbeys, their stonework beautifully preserved over the centuries. In the fishing village of Doolin, pubs legendary for their traditional music weave a spell with the hypnotic sounds of the bodhrán, pennywhistle, and country fiddle. Nearby, the powerful Atlantic surf kicks up a salt spray felt atop the 700’-high Cliffs of Moher. An evening with a traditional storyteller and a guided hike through the otherworldly landscape of the Burren add to the magic of Clare.
Time stands still on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, where thatched roofs and donkey carts are still the norm, and Gaelic the everyday language. You'll stay at the island's best-loved guesthouse, situated at the foot of Dun Aengus, a massive Celtic ring fort perched high above the Atlantic. Back on the mainland, some of the most spectacular cycling roads in Ireland await in Connemara. Here land and sea come together in vast moorlands and estuaries, island-studded lakes, and a long fjord notched into the mountains. Few have been known to return from this region without at least one handknit Irish sweater! The final ride along the Sky Road may be your all-time favorite, with panoramic views of haystack-dotted fields, the peaks of the Twelve Bens, and the Connemara coast.
Tour Details
Duration
7 Days/6 Nights
Location
County Clare, Galway and Connemara
Season
June - September
Tour Type
Road Touring
Nearest City
Shannon
Physical Condition Required
Fair
Destination(s)
Connemara, Ireland County Clare, Ireland County Galway, Ireland
Distance Traveled
Average of 35 miles per day. Total mileage: 95-199 miles.
Minimum Age Limit
12 if accompanied by adult.
Skill Levels Accommodated
Beginner to Intermediate
Fully Guided
Yes
Guest Capacity
16
Support Vehicles
Passenger Van
Bike Rentals Available
Yes
Bike Brands
Trek 7500FX 24-speed hybrids, included in tour price.
Accommodations
Inns, Manor Houses, Hotels
Transportation to Start Site
Arrive/Depart Shannon Airport. Airfare not included.
Dining
Includes four dinners, two picnic lunches, all breakfasts, and van snacks during the day.
About Liquor
BYOB
Additional Activities
Scenic rural cycling through County Clare and Connemara.
Visit Poulnabrone Dolmen, the Cliffs of Moher, and Dun A.engus ring fort.
Evening of storytelling with a well-known Irish shenachie.
Two nights in Doolin, famous for its pubs and music seisiuns.
Guided hike through the Burren with a local naturalist.
Overnight stay on Inishmore in the Aran Islands.
Shop for all things Irish, from bodhráns to hand-knit sweaters.
Rates
$2,895.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
Trip prices are per person, based on double occupancy. A limited number of single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional charge; please contact Easy Rider for availability.
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Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Kinvarra, County Clare Morning transfer from Shannon Airport to the tiny fishing village of Kinvarra, set on the shores of Galway Bay. The warm-up ride spins past Flaggy Shore, known for its colorful tidal pools and bobbing Galway Hookers, traditional sailboats originally used to transport the local peat to Galway. Welcome dinner along the waterfront. (0, 8, or 21 mi.)
Day 2: Doolin Tiny back roads lead through the Burren National Park, with stops at mysterious Poulnabrone Dolmen and the high Celtic crosses of Kilfenora Cathedral. After lunch in seaside Lahinch, follow the coast to the Cliffs of Moher and on to Doolin, for a two-night stay with ocean views. This evening, folklorist Eddie Lenihan will regale you with tales of old Ireland. (35 or 42 mi.)
Day 3: Doolin A scenic coastal route leads to the fishing village of Ballyvaughan for lunch overlooking the harbor. Learn about the unique flora and geology of the Burren on an afternoon hike with a local naturalist. Return to Doolin by van or via a challenging route over Corkscrew Hill. After dinner, relax with a pint and tunes at McGann’s or O’Connor’s, famed for their traditional music seisiuns. (22 or 42 mi.)
Day 4: Inishmore Morning ferry to Inishmore, largest of the Aran Islands, for a free day to explore by bike or foot. Visit Dun Aengus ring fort, monastic “beehive” huts, and the ruins of The Seven Churches. Warm welcome and a home-cooked feast at Kilmurvey House, a gracious Georgian manor and Easy Rider favorite. (7-18 mi.)
Day 5: Clifden, County Galway Morning ferry to Rosaveel, County Galway. Views of heather-covered mountains and the Connemara coast as you cross the Cashel bog to Clifden. Two-night stay on the waterfront at stylish Quay House, originally built as the Harbour Master’s residence. (31 or 41 mi.)
Day 6: Clifden Free day for shopping, sightseeing, and biking the aptly-named “Sky Road”, with bird’s-eye views of Clifden and Killary Harbor against the backdrop of the Twelve Bens. Long option traces tiny coastal lanes to the picturesque harbor in Cleggan. The farewell dinner celebration will be followed up with traditional tunes in a Clifden pub. (0, 12, 21, or 35 mi.)
Day 7: Departure Transfer to Shannon Airport for early afternoon flights.
This Package Includes
Choice of mileage options each day.
Emphasis on local history, culture, and arts.
Two experienced guides/cyclists/mechanics (including a native Irish guide).
Six nights accommodations.
Use of Trek 7500FX hybrid bicycle.
Support van and snacks.
Selected museum admissions and special events.
Airport transfers at specified times.
Detailed trip preparation package.
Easy Rider T-shirt and water bottle.
All breakfasts, four dinners, and two picnic lunches.
Reservation Policy
$400 deposit upon booking. Balance due 70 days in advance.
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