West of Ireland Self-Guided Tour (12 Nights)

Tour code: WOISG12

Tour Overview

This is the complete West of Ireland itinerary, encompassing Loop Head, the Clare coastline, the Burren, The Aran Islands, Connemara, Joyces Country and Mayo.

Starting from Galway, the first leg takes you south through County Clare to the medieval town of Ennis on the banks of the River Fergus. The next leg leads you west to meet the Atlantic Coast at Kilkee, where you stay for two nights. The loop ride from the town is around the aptly named Loop Head Peninsula. Leaving Kilkee you ride north along the Atlantic Coast to Lisdoonvarna for another two-night stopover. The loop ride from here takes you around the Burren coastline. From Lisdoonvarna there is a short ride to Doolin to catch the ferry over to Inishmore, largest of the three Aran Islands. The next day is spent exploring and enjoying the island. You leave the island by another ferry which lands you at Rossaveal on the northern shores of Galway Bay. From here you ride west through Connemara to the town of Clifden for a two night stopover. The loop ride takes you around the coast to Roundstone and out along the Sky Road. Leaving Clifden you ride through the Lough Inagh Valley to Leenane on the shores of Killary Harbour. From Leenane you continue north to Westport, with the option of an upper or a lower level route. The loop ride from Westport takes you to Doolough and along the shores of Clew Bay in the shadow of Croagh Patrick.

For information about en route scenery and attractions see the Regional Details page.
The itinerary follows routes J, L, M, N, O, Q, D, E, F, G and H
The tour is rated A – click here for tour rating description.

Ten highlights

The wonderful coastal scenery of Loop Head
The spectacular Cliffs of Moher
The Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna
Enjoying traditional music sessions in Doolin’s pubs
Sharing the lanes with the pony carts on Inishmore
The wonderful views of the Twelve Bens from the Bog Road
Sampling the fare in Clifden’s excellent restaurants
A swim in the sea at Dog’s Bay
The ride out along the Sky Road to the west of Clifden
The marvellous coastal ride from Tully Cross to Leenane
A cruise on Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord
Hiking up Croagh Patrick for marvellous views over Clew Bay

Gallery

Options

To lengthen the tour, consider spending an extra night in Galway at the start of the tour or on Inishmore (Aran Islands).

Notes

Luggage transfers on this itinerary do not include a transfer onto Inishmore (Aran Islands). You will have to carry what you need for the overnight on the island in panniers – we will supply these free of charge.

Outline Itinerary

Day	Itinerary	Start	Finish	Route options	En Route
1	arrive at	GALWAY
2	route J	Galway	Ennis		Clarinbridge; Gort; Coole Park; Kilmacduagh
3	route L	Ennis	Kilkee		Quin Abbey; Kilrush
4	route M	Kilkee	Kilkee		Loop Head Peninsula
5	route N*	Kilkee	Lisdoonvarna		Spanish Point; Lahinch; Cliffs of Moher; Doolin
6	route O	Lisdoonvarna	Lisdoonvarna		The Burren; Ballyvaughan; Ailwee Caves; Poulnabrone Dolmen
7	route Q	Lisdoonvarna	Inishmore		Doolin; Dun Angeus; Black Fort
8	route D*	Inishmore	Clifden		Twelve Bens; Pearse's Cottage; Peat diggings
9	route E	Clifden	Clifden		Roundstone; Sky Road; Cleggan
10	route F*	Clifden	Leenane		Lough Inagh Valley; Kylemore Abbey; Connemara National Park; Killary Harbour
11	route G	Leenane	Westport		Maam Valley; Lough Nafooey; Cong
12	route H	Westport	Westport		Sheefry Hills; Doolough; Louisburgh; Murrisk Abbey; Croagh Patrick
13	depart from	WESTPORT

Tour Costs

Costs in Euros
basic cost per person sharing		995
single accommodation supplement (if applicable)		265
Optional Costs
bicycle rental (standard bicycle)		195
pannier rental per pair		free
luggage transfers	shared charge for group	400
	additional charge per rider	20
airport transfers and miscellaneous costs		see tables

Click here for more details on what's included in the costs above.

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