Ireland Family Bike Tour Itinerary

Day One: The Gateway to Connemara
Oscar Wilde described this land as a ‘savage beauty’ with its brooding lakes, rugged mountains, and windswept bogs. Today your guides will greet you in Galway and for the transfer north to the Ballynahinch Castle, your luxurious hotel for the next two nights. This 16th century castle overlooks the Ballynahinch River, home to one of the O’Flaherty Chieftains but most recently owned by the Maharajah Ranjitsinji of India. Get settled in your room and then come down to enjoy your first Guinness during the safety talk and bike fitting. Half way through your first ride you can toast to the week with your pinkies in the air over high tea at the Cashel House. This remote inn was a favorite vacation spot for French President Charles de Gaulle, today they serve the finest scones in the region accompanied by home-made whipped cream.   We’ll get to practice our hurling – one of the oldest, fastest team sports in the world. This is a very popular Gaelteacht-speaking region, so make sure you practice ‘Dia dhuit’ on the locals you pass by. Dinner tonight will be in the picturesque dining room at the Castle’s acclaimed Owenmore Restaurant. 

Meals: Light lunch / Dinner
Destinations visited: Ballynahinch, The Cashel House
Included activities: Biking, Hurling Demonstration
Distance cycled: 17.7 km / 11 miles
 
Day Two: Coastal Ride to Clifden
After a traditional Irish breakfast overlooking the Ballynahinch River, you can choose from a bike ride to Roundstone or an optional fly fishing lesson on the Owenmore River with one of the ghillies on the Ballynahinch Estate. This is a great opportunity to catch your first trout!   You’ll have an open lunch today and we recommend Vaughan’s of Roundstone. Afterwards we’ll transfer to Dog’s Bay Beach where you can take a dip in the Atlantic. We’ll visit the market town of Clifden and see beautiful views from the Sky Road. You can then choose between Pottery or Felting lessons with a local artist, or an additional bike ride back to the castle. You’ll have time to explore the castle grounds before we meet up for dinner tonight in the Castle Pub. Dine on the sweetest, freshest crab claws of your life as part of the Seafood Platter - the Castle Pub specialty. 
 
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Destinations visited: Roundstone, Clifden
Included activities: Biking and Pottery or Felting
Distance cycled: 17.7 km / 11 miles
 
Day Three: Inishmore Island
Check out of the hotel after an early breakfast and start your day of myths and legends on Inishmore Island, the largest of the Aran Islands. We’ll be transferring to the port village of Rossaveal before taking a ferry ride to the island. Cliff tops, deserted sandy beaches and majestic views await you during our light island ride today.
 
We’ll visit Dun Aengus, an ancient multi-period fortress perched upon a cliffside, high above the crashing Atlantic below. We’ll hike to the top of the fort and see the different fortifications some of which are unique to this site which dates back almost two thousand years. Little has changed on the island for the past one hundred years; we’ll be sharing the bike route with small horse-drawn jaunting cars. We’ll even cycle past a seal colony.
 
After taking a ferry back to the mainland we’ll stop off in the village of Leenane overlooking the Killary Fjord (Ireland’s only fjord). Tonight you’ll dine on your own and we recommend an early casual dinner at Hamiltons or you can dine at the hotel. Our hotel tonight is the fantastic Delphi Mountain Resort where we’ll stay for two nights.
 
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Aran Islands, Leenane
Included activities: Biking and Hiking
Distance cycled: 18 km / about 12 miles
 
Day Four: The Delphi Adventure Center and Mountain Resort
After a good night’s rest, we’ll have a wonderful breakfast. Today we’ll have lots of options available onsite at Delphi Mountain Resort. From fast-paced zip lines, kayaking and surfing, to rock climbing, ropes courses and orienteering, the Delphi Adventure Center has something for everyone in the family. Situated in the wild Irish countryside, this is a land littered with wild grasses, pine trees and mountain flowers. Plenty of options to choose from so be prepared to spend a full day in the great outdoors, among over 400 acres of pristine Irish countryside! You might even see some deer or mountain goats roaming through the heathers and gorse while you are outside exploring today – a change from the ubiquitous sheep! After a full day of being outdoors in the fresh air, tonight we’ll dine in the wonderful restaurant of the Mountain Resort. 
 
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner           
Included activities: A full day of adrenaline pumping activities
Destinations: Delphi Adventure Center, Killary Harbor
                                                                                                                                                               
Day Five: Bike Ride to Joyce Country Sheepdogs and Ashford Lodge
Today we’ll get back in the traditional DuVine saddle for a spin on mostly quiet country roads past rolling green pastures dotted with sheep and idyllic ultramarine blue lakes. Our destination for the day is the Joyce Country Sheepdog Farm on the shores of Lough Nafooey. Get some insight into a day in the life of sheepdogs and farmers by the same people who supplied dogs and sheep for the film Marley and Me. Don’t forget your camera! After the demo and a DuVine gourmet picnic lunch (or pub lunch) we will ride back to the Ashford Castle estate to our Lodge. Spend the afternoon strolling the grounds or let your guide help you set up falconry demonstration or another activity with the Ashford Lodge Activities concierge. Of all the optional activities we can offer, falconry is the one which most guests deem to be ‘unmissable’ and a once in a lifetime experience. Don’t forget your swimsuit because there’s a wonderful outdoor hot tub at the Lodge! Dinner tonight will be a decadent 4 course meal in the chic dining room overlooking Lough Corrib. 
 
Meals: Breakfast / Gourmet Picnic / Dinner
Destinations visited: Finny, Joyce County Sheepdogs
Distance cycled: 25 km / 15.5 miles
 
Day Six: Goodbye to Connemara
After a leisurely breakfast and one optional last spin around the grounds, say farewell to Ireland however you see fit. This morning we will transfer you back to Galway for a train to Dublin or any other destination of your choice.                
Meals: Breakfast
 
TRIP TOTAL: 63 km / 40 MILES

A few words and phrases you’ll definitely use in Connemara:
cha: slang term for tea, as in ‘cup of cha’
craic: conversation, gossip, fun, good times
dolmen: tomb chamber made of vertical stones topped by a huge capstone; from around 2000BC
draoicht: enchantment
Gaeltacht: Irish speaking
hurling: Irish sport similar to hockey
knackered: slang for tired or worn out

© 2012 DuVine Adventures Bicycle Tours, Inc.