Tour in Ireland in May?
 

I am starting to do some XC Skiing (along with downhill skiing) along with having my road bike set up on rollers indoors for the winter out here in CO. So I am looking ahead to this summer and doing some touring. I am about 100% certain I will have off from work from the Middle of April (April 15th or so) through the end of May. Depending on what our Spring is like, that could mean I could be on my bike starting in March, or not until the end of May (in regards to riding outdoors). I am hoping that the XC Skiing will help me get into good shape - its been a dry winter so far so there hasn't been a lot of snow for XC Skiing ( was hoping to have started in beginning of december, not middle of January) but I feel like I should be in decent shape.

My touring plans would be as follows - my big trip last summer didn't pan out, so I figure I can probably fly to Ireland in May. My Aunt lives just outside of Galway so that would be my base of operations. I was thinking of ditching the camping gear and just do B&B every night, while averaging around 50 miles a day. This should give me plenty of time to get from Point A to Point B while taking a relaxing lunch at some point.

I am just wondering where I should go - starting essentially just to the east of Galway. I was thinking of heading South to Doolin first, then down towards Mizen Head. Perhaps the Ring of Kerry on the way south, and the Bearra Way (i think thats the name) on the way back to Galway? Other ideas/suggestions?

Snowed , 'soft' hail , when in Co. Donegal on May 1 , when I was there.

start where you arrive.. Dublin, the airport is well out of the city.

Shannon is even more rural, on the west coast.
[not as many flights, may have to connect through Boston ]
I changed planes at LHR .. London. > Dublin.

then Rode to Co. Kerry, before following the Coast North.

I camped and used Hostels .. independant ones, there is a bunch of them.

Bike Touring in Ireland looks like a good site with lots of practical advice.

They suggest a couple of routes but one link is broken. The other - a Multi-day out of Dublin - looks interesting. But that's the other end of the country from Galway.

Cycletourer looks to have good info as well. They mention an Irish tourist board booklet 'Cycling in Ireland' that has maps of suggested cycling routes, but provide no link. I guess you have to contact the Irish Tourist Board directly.

IrishCycling.com does talk about specific routes (no maps). The Ring or Kerry sounds like a staple of irish cycle touring. I also think that the "Táin Trail" sounds very interesting - at least to someone like myself who likes to parade his "irish-ness" whenever possible. It takes in the area where the epic Irish saga " Táin Bo Cuailgne" (The Cattle Raid of Cooley) was supposed to have happened. But that's on the east coast between Dublin and Belfast - other end of the country from your aunt.

Please post reports of your tour. Visiting Ireland is on the top of my "Bucket List" and astride a bike seems the best way to see it!

I'll take a look at those links when I get home.

Not going to be near Dublin at all...going to be in Galway - fly into Shannon Airport where my Aunt can pick me up (as opposed to Dublin Airport) so my base of operations will be in Athenry (right near Galway).

Nothing set in stone yet - will have to check my finances in a month - but my job is virtually secured for the summer so I am not too worried on that end. Of course, will try to keep expenditures down when over there, but figured that if I am going to be Ireland (can't drive manual, only can drive automatic) that I won't have a car and don't want to be a bother to my Aunt, so might as well take my bike with me and do some touring.

Sounds like a hell of a trip. I love Ireland, I was there in August 2011. My family went to Sweden for a wedding and stopped in Dublin for 3 days before going to Sweden. Then on the way back we went to wicklow. Wicklow was a medium sized town and was right on the east coast. A perfect place to visit and just outside the Wicklow mountains.
But you said you won't be near Dublin, so Wicklow is probably out of the question. In the 80's my dad went to Ireland for six months and he stayed in the western side. It was a big part of his life.
I hope you have a blast, and stay out of the rain. On second thought you better learn to enjoy the rain. Would like to hear more about your trip and possibly see pictures.

Ok. I think I've finalized my route.


Day 1 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504430
Day 2 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504434
Day 3 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504437
Day 4 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504439
Day 5 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504445
Day 6 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504447
Day 7 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504452
Day 8 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504454
Day 9 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504456
Day 10 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504459
Day 11 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504461
Day 12 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504462
Day 13 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504463
Day 14 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504464


Can't plot a route to Mizen Head on BikeRouteToaster as there is a major glitch on that area of the map for some reason. Look at Google Maps and its there too (look at Mizen Head on the Map Mode and the Satellite Mode and you will see what I mean).


I have two-nights in a row at two different locations, allowing for a bag-free day of cycling to take in Dingle (and a giant pass right over it) and the Sheeps Head pennisula. End Locations are based on where a Google-search reveals B&B's. Think I will leave the camping gear at home for this Tour.


Suggestions or route alternatives are more then welcome. I cut out going to Baltimore unless anyone really recommends going there (and perhaps spending on day on Cape Clear?).


Also, are B&B's accepting of bicyclists? I can't imagine them letting you store your bike in your room with you.

Check this out for some ideas:

http://irondonkey.com/west-of-ireland-bicycle-tours.php

Don't know how much actual route detail they give you, but it does have point to point and intermediate towns as well as info. about local places of interest. Several routes out of Galway.

I did browse Irondonkey site, but the mileage is closer to 20 - 30 miles a day and somewhat loops around. I may use it as a guide for some days rides around Galway, but I think I already hit its points of interest on my route.

Have a couple of suggestions.

When you get to Dingle continue on West round Dingle head especially if the weather is good as you'll get the best scenery of your whole trip.

Consider getting a bus (Citylink) from Galway to Cork to start your tour or Cork to Galway at the end. It will allow you to avoid retracing your route and give you time to spend more time in the SW or cycle some of the Connemara coast West of Galway.

The bus will cost you €20 and while they don't guarantee to have room for bikes I've never known them to be too full and May is low season so you won't have a problem. No need to pre-book.

Don't expect to keep strictly to such a precise plan as weather and 'things' will upset it.

Best of luck.

I've booked my Flight and arrive May 1st and leave May 28th. Loughrea should be considered my base of operations - my Aunt lives about 4 Miles away from Loughrea. Planned route involves 14 days total, going to look at local events this week to see if anything is happening in the areas I am visiting while there. Do have room for taking an extra day or two off during my trip.

Any reason to go to Baltimore, for instance? Spend a day on Cape Clear? Haven't been recommended doing so.

Also, with my flexibility, after my 14 days I can always head W and N of Galway, or head to the interior of Ireland if there is any good cycling that way too.

I recommend you go to Cape Clear. Great views of the Fastnet Rock lighthouse. I first met my wife on Cape, maybe you'll get lucky.

Doubt I'll be that lucky.

Ok. Some major edits as I start dissecting my planned routes combined with places to stay. My first few days are certainly pretty much set in stone. After day 4, things are a lot more open to change.

Day 1 -http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504430
Day 2 -http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504434
Day 3 -http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504437 (Depending on how I feel, may do the last 12 miles to spend the night in Dingle)
Day 4 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504439 (Will spend 2 nights to do Conors Pass without all the gear on the bike. Thinking of doing it North to South based on posts on this forum)
Day 5 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504445 (Day 1 of 2 to do the ROK, counterclockwise...unless some one can convince me to do it the other way)
Day 6 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504447
Day 7 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511559 (End in Goleen to do Mizen Head the following day)

The following day, not plotted yet, is to go down to Mizen Head, take some Photos, then head up to do the first part of Sheeps Head Pennisula. Kilcrohane has been marked for an overnight stay before finishing Sheeps Head the following day and doing the first half of the Beara Way, doing it Clockwise.

Certainly open to suggestions and alternatives.

Still not up to speed on web based navigation.

I, in '97, just bought 4 paper OS maps,, 1:250K..
clear packing tape preserves the print over the folds .

well enjoy the trip been a long time coming.
the weather here at the moment is dry bright but cold, theres rain forecast but nothing to worry about but take you rain gear and a good warm fleece ,winds for the week are north west so should be in your favour hopefully.best of luck if you get good bright weather rok and beara is stunning take time to enjoy it sus out a good pub for a session before you go to sleep. best of luck.
anthony.

Bit of wind today, but sun is starting to peek out. Going to go on a 12 mile loop today for first ride - might do it twice, for the mileage, if feeling ok and its not too windy (supposed to get quite windy today). Still a bit tired from jetlag but otherwise doing ok. Bike assembly went fine...front mudguard went on slightly awkwardly due to disc brake, but should hopefully me fine (and help keep my feet dry on wet roads).

yeah bit of rain forecase but this is ireland after all so dont panic.enjoy your tour.
dont forget the photo's.