Arrival in Ballyvaughan

You are met at the Shannon airport upon arrival of your flight and transferred to your hotel in Ballyvaughan, in the heart of the Burren. Fit to your bicycles, you are soon free to take a short bike ride and explore your hotel’s bucolic surroundings or one of the nearby attractions, such as the Ailwee caves or Newtown castle. You may wish to complete the day with a live music show at the pub next door to your hotel (on certain days of the week).

Optional walk on the Burren; 3-4 hours, easy to moderate. Ballyvaughan to Doolin; 17.5 miles

After a hearty Irish breakfast, you can join a guided walking tour of the Burren (requires advance reservation at an additional cost—please contact us for details). A well-known local character, walking guide, and sheep and cattle farmer provides a lively introduction to the Burren’s history, archaeology, flora, and fauna. Or, you may depart the hotel in the morning for today’s ride onto the spectacular coast road. Paralleling the Burren Mountains, you have beautiful views across the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands, with ample opportunities to stop along the way to explore the dramatic windswept landscape, or perhaps take a dip at Fanore’s golden sand beach before enjoying a cup of tea and scone with a longtime local resident. The day’s final destination is the village of Doolin, nestled at the foot of the Cliffs of Moher. Some say the best way to see the Cliffs is from the ocean, and regular boat departures from Doolin harbor provide a stunning close-up view. The most adventurous can ride the 5 miles (all uphill!) to the visitor center for a different, but just as stunning, perspective.

Boat trip to Inishmore, Aran Islands. Cycling around Kilronan, 2-3 miles

This morning you leave the mainland to travel to the largest and farthest away of the three Aran Islands. Catching the ferry in Doolin for the 90-minute trip to Inishmore, a bicycle is the perfect way to explore this fascinating 9-mile long and 2-mile wide Gaelic island, where mainly Irish is spoken. The limestone geology of the three Aran Islands has resulted in a rocky, windswept landscape, at one time subsisting solely on farming and fishing. You can explore the village of Kilronan, perhaps shopping for woolen goods at the Aran Sweater Market and Museum, or take a short but stunning ride along a quite road to the southern tip of the island. Once the day trippers have departed, you savor the rugged beauty and simplicity of true island life.

The Ring of Aran; 11.25 miles

Leaving the hotel at your leisure, you enjoy the peace of the island as you follow the stunning coastal road, passing a seal colony, and the crescent-shaped sandy beach of Kilmurvey—perfect for swimming. One of the island’s highlights, Dun Angus, an Iron Age hill fort, is about the half-way point of today’s ride. The semicircular Celtic stone fort lies at the cliff’s edge and is one of the most impressive in Europe, awaiting an official decision to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the return, you delve deeper into the island’s heart. Passing only a few cottages, and perhaps a horse, your route takes you to an otherworldly landscape of perfectly shaped stone walls, reminders of the harsh island terrain. Back to your hotel, you may wish to join the locals at the pub and listen to lively Irish music as residents join professional musicians on stage on Fridays and Saturdays.

Boat trip to Connemara. Rosaveel to Cashel; 22 miles

This morning you leave the Aran Islands for the mainland and the Connemara region, this time by a different ferry route, which is the shortest crossing from Inishmore to the town of Rosaveel in Connemara (approximately one hour). Here you experience a new beauty of the landscape as you cycle past small lakes and rocky outcrops with the 12 Bens of the Ben Mountains looming on the horizon. Your route then becomes a quiet bog road where the turf is still cut by hand and left to dry. Your destination is the town of Cashel, where you are welcomed at a country-house hotel and its fine restaurant.

Cashel to Roundstone; 14 miles. Roundstone to Clifden; 11 or 15 miles

Today you depart Cashel for the easy ride to Roundstone, a sleepy coastal village brought to life by a skilled community of artists, craftspeople, and festivals in the warmer months. The town is a perfect stop for lunch, and you may be tempted to peruse the shops and galleries for paintings, ceramics, or silver jewelry. The afternoon offers two options: a spectacular bog road, where your path will most likely only cross a few free roaming sheep, or the longer coastal route, both bringing you to Clifden, known as the capital of Connemara.

Layover day in Clifden

A day in Clifden provides a number of different activities. In addition to cycling (such as the short and hilly ride around the famous Skye road), there are some lovely walks. The nearby Alcock and Brown memorial is an interesting site of local interest—where the first successful non-stop Atlantic flight landed. Perhaps the most attractive option is to combine a trip to Kylemore Abbey with a visit to the nearby Connemara National Park. For golfers, the Connemara championship links course is a short trip away, which, nestled along the edge of the Atlantic, offers challenging and exhilarating golf. There are also deep-sea fishing excursions, or you could go pony trekking. Lastly, the town of Clifden itself invites exploration of its tempting shops, quaint streets, pubs, and fine restaurants.

Departure

You depart Clifden this morning and transfer approximately 75 minutes (depending on traffic) to the city of Galway, where connections can be made for the train or bus to either Dublin or Shannon airport, or you may choose to spend an extra night in this lively city.