Cycling Tours

Even the capricious weather has its own delights: a wet morning can be a fair guarantee of a fine afternoon. Here you are going to enjoy breath taking sections of the Wild Atlantic Way the longest coastal touring route in the world

A trip along the www is not just about scenery it’s a journey through Irish culture and history

• Rendezvous at the heritage village of Blarney where we can visit the world-famous castle. You can if you want kiss the famous Blarney stone high up on the castle battlements
• Tradition holds that those who kiss the stone will be endowed with the gift of eloquence – the gift of the “gab” as the locals call it. This is a ‘must’ if you are to converse with the ever friendly and talkative Irish.
• We can stroll through the grounds of the castle one can visit Blarney Woollen Mills (built 1824
• Lunch in one of the Villages fine Restaurants.

LUNCH
After lunch you will be given your bikes and after adjustments to ensure your maximum comfort together with expert advice on safety and biking techniques from your expert guide.
We set off along the Lee valley for the market town of Macroom. The first few miles take us along the old Musketry train line Today’s cycle is very level – distance 20 miles. Tonight, we stay at the Castle Hotel where any weary legs can be soothed in its leisure centre. Local attractions include golf (book early) and beautiful river walks.

Day 2

We cycle South for Gouganne Barra where St. Finbarr the patron saint of Cork founded a monastery. Our approach to this wonderful wooded area, where the river Lee rises, is via a road known to few.

As with many beautiful landscapes much of the best scenery lies off the beaten track
but we believe you will agree on its incredible beauty. We lunch here before cycling on to Bantry via the pass of Keimaneigh (“the leap of the Deer”).

We lodge for the next two nights at Seaview House overlooking Bantry Bay. Distance today 35 miles.

DAY 3

Today you may rest enjoying the tranquil gardens at Seaview, take in other activities like golf, or take the highly recommended tour of the first of the three peninsulas.

Winding out along the north shores of the unique, amazingly quiet Sheep’s Head peninsula with Bantry Bay on our right and the Beara peninsula in the background before crossing to village Ahakista on the southern shores with the Mizen peninsula now in the background.

(Distance short 25 , long option 40 miles).

DAY 4

We leave Seaview and head for Glengarrif. You will become aware of the change in vegetation, this is the influence of the Gulf stream which keeps much warmer than it should be.

We can take a tour through Glengarrif forest and walk up to Lady Bantry’s Lookout, thus getting a fantastic view of Glengarrif, Garnish island and Bantry bay.

Then it’s on to Kenmare via the tunnel road. Kenmare a planned town 1670 awaits us with its craft shops traditional pubs and restaurants for you to explore.

Kenmare An Neidín, meaning “the little nest” Ireland. The name Kenmare is the anglicised form of Ceann Mara, meaning “head of the sea”, referring to the head of Kenmare Bay.

Distance: short 28 miles long opinion 45 miles

DAY 5

Leaving Irelands reputedly oldest town we head for Killarney taking in some of the most stunning scenery along the way. Stop regularly to absorb the beauty of the Black Valley, The Killarney lakes and the Macguillicuddy Reeks mountain range in the background.

Many cycling enthusiasts boast how biking enables you to see the world at an appropriate pace but in this region, it could be argued that a bike is much too fast. Hence do not rush – but enjoy.

In particular be sure to stop at Ladies View (overlooking the lakes) which gets its name from the delight which Queen Victoria’s ‘ladies in waiting’ got when they visited this place 150 years ago. Cycling on through the oak filled forests of the Killarney National Park we head to, ‘meeting of the waters’, Torc waterfall, Muckross House (guided tour) and finally a tour the reconstructed farms which gives one a very good insight into rural Ireland in the nineteenth century.

After a very fulfilling day we head back to the lakeshore to our hotel for the next two nights the Lake Hotel . Over the next two nights you will appreciate why we chose this hotel.
Picture of Lake Hotel above to get some idea.

Distance 20mls

DAY 6

This day we cycle to nearby Ross castle, the last castle in Ireland to fall to Oliver Cromwell. After a guided tour there we take a boat up through all three Killarney lakes in the National Park

After 1.1/2 hrs being at your lunch stop for today, Lord Brandon’s Cottage.

After lunch we cycle trough the Black valley and on to the Gap of Dunloe This is a short 7ml cycle but so beautiful you will want to stop very often, initially looking back at the lakes and later after we go through the gap, looking toward your finishing point, Kate Kearney’s cottage.

Here we stop for a celebratory drink. Then its onward to Killarney.

DAY 7

Tour ends after farewell breakfast. Rail/coach connection to Dublin, Cork, Shannon available from here.

Perhaps you would like to stay a day longer, ask for details. We can also arrange an extra day before day one in Blarney.

Our aim is to send you home with memories that last you a lifetime.