Dublin and western Ireland 2024

In Dublin, the modern Camden Court Hotel**** welcomes you, only a few minutes’ walk away from the most important city sights. We will meet up in the hotel lobby at 6pm and will then depart on a guided round tour through the lively Irish capital city.

After our first Irish breakfast, we will travel by bus for a duration of 3 and a ½ hours to the west coast of Ireland. We will mount our bikes at the gates of the Burren region and cycle the first kilometres on the Wild Atlantic Way. “No tree where one could hang a man, no pond where he could drown, no earth where one could bury him in.” This was the somewhat macabre description of the Burren region given by a friend of Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. In the late afternoon, we will reach Lisdoonvarna, the main town in the region with almost 829 inhabitants, known through the only health spa in the country and the Matchmaking-Festival, the largest marriage market in Europe, which always takes place in September. The Hotel Wild Honey Inn*** awaits us (two overnight stays). We will meet up in the hotel’s excellent restaurant for dinner, which owns a Michelin star. 

After breakfast, we will depart on a round trip through the Burren. The karst primeval landscape houses a rich plant world, contrary to expectation. We will cycle on a continuous up and downhill route with almost no traffic through a unique and fascinating stone desert. We will visit the Poulnabrone Dolmen, an impressive example of the Neolithic Age settlement in Ireland. Our destination this morning is Kilfenora with its partly restored cathedral dating back to the 12th century. Three richly decorated Celtic high crosses stand nearby, one being the famous Doorty Cross, among others. In the afternoon, we will reach a special highlight of our journey: The cliffs of Moher, steep cliffs of up to 250 metres in height, against which the Atlantic continues to break. After a walk above the impressive rock formations, we will return to our hotel by bus or by bike, where we will enjoy another meal prepared by the hotel chef Aidan in his Michelin star pub.

After breakfast, we will cycle to the jetty of Doolin, will leave our bikes with the accompanying bus and will board a ferry, which will bring us to Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran-Islands. An endless entanglement of low stone walls covers the island, protecting it from erosion through wind and weather. We will then hike cross-country across the well accessible limestone slabs of the island, the geological sequel of the Burren. Our destination is Dún Aengus, a stone fort which is over three thousand years old, with a spectacular view. Today, the Aran-islands are mainly known for their high quality knitwear. There is hardly a visitor who leaves the island without a well-filled shopping bag from the Aran Sweater Market. In the late afternoon, a ferry will bring us back to the mainland. From there, you travel by bus through the almost mysterious landscape of Connemara. In the evening, we will reach Clifden, the secret capital city of Connemara, where we will be welcomed by the historic Abbeyglen Castle Hotel**** (two overnight stays). We can then enjoy the evening in the hotel’s excellent restaurant.

After a hearty breakfast, we will cycle through one of the loveliest landscapes in Ireland. High moors, countless lakes and peat line our path. One can especially enjoy the beauty of Connemara here. We will only encounter some traffic once we arrive at the coast. We will follow the wild Irish coast, before we stop and enjoy a Guinness or an Irish coffee in Roundstone. Lovely bathing coves continue to interrupt the wild vegetation on our way back to Clifden. As lunch is included in the travel price on Thursday, you will have the evening to your own disposal. Numerous pubs invite one to linger and relax. The atmosphere is never boring with the best live Irish music, and one can often have a conversation with the fun-loving locals.

With the secret capital city of Connemara still in view, we will leave Clifden via the impressive Skyroad. At the height of this sky road, a view of coves, islands and white sandy beaches in an enchanting play of colours awaits us. Passing Claddaghduff, where every cave is said to have once served for profitable smuggling deals, our route then leads to Cleggan. Numerous fishing boats still travel from this small harbour for a catch. An ideal place, to invite you for lunch in a special restaurant. At Letterfrack, we will reach the Connemara National Park. A total of 2.000 hectares of incomparable natural landscape from the ocean to the 729 metre high peak of the Benbaun has been protected since 1980. In the early afternoon, we are awaited by the beautiful Rosleague Manor Hotel****, a Victorian manor, situated directly along the Atlantic in a 30 hectare large park (two overnight stays). The hotel’s chef will treat us to an enjoyable meal in the evening.

Enjoy perhaps the most impressive scenery of the whole journey during today’s cycling day through the heartland of Connemara. Passing Letterfrack via Tully Cross, we will follow the Connemara Loop, part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Wild mountain peaks and lovely beaches alternate with the marshy highlands of the Lough Fee. We will arrive at Irelands only fjord, the 15 kilometre long Killary Harbour, situated between summits of up to 800 metres high and especially known for its numerous shellfish farming. Here a sheep farm awaits us, where we will be introduced to the art of sheep dog breeding. We will then cycle to the Kylemore Abbey, the oldest Irish Benedictine monastery with its lovely gardens. After visiting the gardens, we will travel back to our hotel, where we can enjoy our closing dinner.

We gladly assist you on booking additional nights. All prices are on request. Please note, that it can be cheaper, when you book additional nights by yourself.