We had a wonderful time! This was the first time I've traveled out of the country and wasn't sure how the trip would go. I was nervous, but everything went as planned. Tina did a terrific job and I ha Read more »
I wrote a review a year ago. Just want to re-emphasize, 15 months later, how grateful I am to Linda Larkin for organizing an absolutely wonderful trip. Our hotel in Port Rush was a bit worn but not a Read more »
I am writing to highly praise Irish Tourism. Our agent, Linda Larkin, provided a high level of customer service as we planned our tour to Ireland. She was very thoughtful and helpful. I also want t Read more »
The staff at Irish Tourism is extraordinary! My friends and I found ourselves in Ireland when the travel ban began. Maria and everyone at Irish Tourism worked hard to ensure we had places to stay, eve Read more »
This tour has everything needed to appreciate Ireland’s Pilgrimage Heritage and celebrate your own. Begin in Dublin visiting its two great cathedrals, St Patrick’s and Christchurch. The tour includes time in the Boyne Valley which is known for its pre-Christian heritage and the early Christian monastastic settlement at Glendalough. Onwards then to the iconic Rock of Cashel which is home of the world famous St. Patrick's Rock that rises majestically high above the Cashel countryside. In Kerry discover the remote Ring of Kerry with its stunning coastal views before travelling North-West to Clare where you will visit Ireland’s most famous attraction, the Cliffs of Moher. Next, onward to Croagh Patrick which has been a site of Christian pilgrimage in Ireland as far back as anybody can remember. Then journey to Mayo for no Christian tour of Ireland is complete without a visit to Knock, Ireland’s National Marian Shrine, here you will be able to take part in the evening Rosary Procession and celebrate mass. On your way back to Dublin stop at the Holy Cross Abbey where catholic mass will be celebrated and the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens.
The cycling safari starts with a meeting of the group at 6:30pm in the Bar of the Killarney Royal Hotel 064 31853. This is just a meeting up point and not where you are actually staying. After an introductory talk from the guide, an evening meal is organised in the hotel, while your luggage is transported to our nearby guesthouse(s). If you get there early you can leave your luggage with the hotel reception and explore this bustling town. If you have time, you could visit Ross Castle, a wonderfully restored 16th Century Norman Tower House overlooking Lough Leane. You can even hire a boat from here and row out to a 6th Century monastic site located on one of the nearby islands. Ross Castle is about 1.5 miles from the town.
The tour starts off by following a cycle track into the beautiful grounds of Muckross House. Located on the grounds is a Franciscan Abbey founded in the 15th Century. It is now in ruins but is beautifully situated with a large yew tree rising up through the cloisters. After a stroll around the celebrated Muckross gardens there follows a wonderful cycle along a quiet cyclepath between two of the Killarney lakes before we return to the main road. A steady climb follows to our lunch stop at Molls Gap where you are rewarded with delicious food in the restaurant with its beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon we cycle to Sneem looking out over panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Avoiding the main Ring of Kerry road we cycle across the peninsula. Passing along quiet country roads with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, we climb up to the beautiful Gap of Ballaghbearna and descend the other side into another valley with views of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain. After lunch there is a wonderful cycle through quiet fields and over old stone bridges before coming to Caragh Lake. Following the lakeside we then head west to the seaside village of Glenbeigh where we spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
We start the day with a short coach trip to Dingle where we are basing ourselves for two nights. After getting back on the bikes we then follow the Slea Head Route around the tip of the Dingle peninsula. This is one of the highlights of the tour with a wide variety of archaeological sites to visit along the route and some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the country.
A variety of activities can be organised from the town. You can join an archaeological bus tour of the peninsula or you can swap your bike saddle for a horse saddle and go horse riding. There are boat trips to the largest of the Blasket Islands with its wonderful walking trails offering the most magnificent views of Dingle Bay. You can also take a boat trip to see "Fungi", the Dingle Dolphin or simply potter around the town with its many shops.
The morning starts with a long steady climb up to the Conor Pass with its stunning views of Mount Brandon and the coastline in the distance. There follows a wonderful descent and then a nice flat cycle along the coast to the village of Camp where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we head straight into the mountains and traverse the peninsula heading up over one side of the mountains to magnificent views of the other side of the peninsula with Dingle Bay and Ireland’s highest mountain range stretching out in front of you. We then descend down the other side and cycle the final stretch to our night stop in Killorglin.
In the morning we cycle on quiet back roads to Kate Kearney’s Cottage where you can stop for a cup of tea. We then enter the final highlight of the tour, the Gap of Dungloe, a place you will never forget. Coming out of the gap you have an incredible view looking down the Black Valley before following a small quiet route through a peaceful valley surrounded by green fields full of grazing sheep. We climb out of the valley to return to Molls Gap where we had lunch on the first day. After lunch there is a wonderful freewheel back down to Killarney. That evening we have a final farewell night on the town together before heading our separate ways the following morning.
After breakfast you are free to head your separate ways
Prices for our group tours are determined by the grade of accommodation required and the tour start date and will be for land only from arrival into and departure from Ireland. To arrange your tour, simply fill out our Enquiry Form, e-mail us at groups@irishtourism.com or call us in Ireland on our TollFree and International numbers as displayed on this page.
All our private & exclusive group tours include the following services at no extra cost.
Accommodation Type | Price |
---|---|
Low Season | €974 |
High Season (July & August) | €990 |
Single Supplement | €281 |
Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.
Please enter your vacation requirements in the form below. If your enquiry requires a more immediate response, please use the Tollfree & International numbers as listed down the page.
For customers based in North America, please note that as we are based in Ireland, we are 5 hours ahead of EST.
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