I'm way ahead of you guys - I leave a week from tomorrow and have most of that stuff taken care of!

I fly into Heathrow where my Uncle is picking me up. I'm a dual-citizen as well - my entire extended family lives in the UK and Ireland. Once I arrive, I've got two days at my Uncles before we take a train down towards Lands End. Well aware of the bikes-on-train thing - hopefully we don't have any issues with other people who aren't booked trying to get their bikes on.

Once done with LEJOG, I believe we're taking a train back to his house. I then get two days off before taking a train to Cardiff, which (day 3) is another rest day but with travel. After that, its all work until I get to my Aunts house in Galway.

Nash - you describe the clockwise route Day 1 is a short but strenuous day for me, as I tackle the hills of Wicklow on a route recommended to me on an Irish forum. Its apparently more spectactular than riding along the coast. I am going to spend a night on Cape Clear as well - hear its quite good - and will also be getting to Inis Mor, though will take a ferry back to Doolin. Apparently, health and safety have banned bikes on the Ross...whatever its called...ferry, but the Doolin ferries still take bikes.

I think I will look at heading North along the coast from Galway. I do need to plot my route and print out the cue sheets though - will only have an iPhone with me so no GPS-Only unit like a Garmin.