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.   This is a very popular  Gaeltacht-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: Dinner
Destinations visited: Ballynahinch Castle, The Cashel House
Distance cycled: 17.7 km/11 miles

Day Two: Pony Trekking and Inishbofin Island
After a traditional Irish breakfast overlooking the Ballynahinch River, we’ll do a van transfer to the small sleepy fishing village of Cleggan.  This town is the set off point for a pony trek.  After our ride, enjoy an open lunch in the town where “there are no strangers, only friends we never met” before re-grouping for the ferry boat to mythical Inishbofin Island, where we will stay in the recently-refurbished Inishbofin House Hotel and Marine spa.  Situated 10 kilometers off the Northwest coast of Connemara (1/2 hour boat ride), the Island is known for its magnificent scenery, Cromwell’s fort, seal colonies and rare flora.   We will arrive into Inishbofin Harbour, one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, and then bike or taxi to the Inishbofin House Hotel and Marine Spa.  Spend the late afternoon strolling the white sandy beaches and admiring Ireland’s clearest waters with the kids or opting for one of the hotel’s numerous spa services.  Let the unhurried pace of island life bring you closer to the afternoon’s primary goal: total relaxation.  Dine on the sweetest, freshest crab claws of your life (the island specialty) in the hotel’s split-level panoramic restaurant before a well-deserved night’s rest. 

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Attractions: Pony Trek, Cleggan, Inishbofin Island

Day Three: Inishbofin Island and Clifden
Check out of the hotel after breakfast and start your day of myths and legends on Inishbofin Island.  Cliff tops, deserted sandy beaches and majestic views await you during our light island ride this morning.  We’ll visit Cromwell’s Castle and hear tales of Grace O’Malley, Connemara’s own Pirate Queen, near the ruins of her island stronghold that she fortified for her large fleet of ships in Elizabethan times.  In 1652 the area became a garrison post for Cromwell and then a prison island for priests and some of his other troublesome enemies.  There are also bronze-age hut sites to discover and if we are lucky and they are out in strong numbers, we’ll get some good pictures of the seal colony.  In the late afternoon we will ferry back to the Emerald Island herself.  Tonight you will sleep in Clifden’s 19th century castle, the Abbey Glen.  It is a great location surrounded by forests with views of the Twelve Bens mountain range, yet only 6 minutes walking from the quaint colorful fishing village of Clifden.  Spend some time on the Manor’s 9-hole golf course, playing tennis, getting a manicure with the girls at the spa,  or enjoy  the 19th century market town’s wealth of little galleries, cafes, bookstores, antique and souvenir shops.  You’re on your own for dinner tonight and the area is full of live music options whether you dine at one of the numerous local pubs in Clifden or stay at the hotel.   

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Destinations: Inishbofin Island ride, Clifden
Distance cycled: about 15 miles / 24 km

Day Four: The Killary Adventure Center and the Ashford Castle
After a good night’s rest, we’ll drive along the Atlantic coast towards the Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord.  Today’s activities will take place at the Killary Aventure Center, where you can take the Killary Challenge, participate in a ropes course, do archery or a take a fast-paced ride on the zip line.  In the afternoon we will kayak on the Killary Harbor, Ireland’s only fjord.  Just ten minutes from our dock we will encounter a seal colony, where we can admire the great beasts sunning themselves on the rocks.  After a great day we’ll leave the wild-west behind with a drive to the Ashford Castle, your home away from home for the next two nights.  Your guides will help you arrange to try falconing at their famous school or any other activity you might like.  (or we can take a boat ride on Lough Corrib).  Looming over the country’s largest lake, the Ashford Castle is a very welcome sight.  This 13th century castle was transformed into a regal fishing and hunting lodge by the Guinness family, famous for their stout.  Tonight we’ll dine at Cullen’s, the castle’s bistro-style restaurant.  
 
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner 
Destinations and Activities: The Killary Adventure Center, The Ashford Castle, Killary Harbor.

          
Day Five: Bike Ride to the Joyce County Sheepdogs
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 County Sheepdog Farm on the shores of Lough Nafooey.  Get some insight into a day in the life of sheepdogs and farmers from the same people who supplied dogs and sheep for the film Marley and Me.  Don’t forget your camera!  After the demo and an on-site DuVine gourmet picnic lunch we will ride back to the Castle.  Spend the afternoon strolling the grounds or let your guide help you set up falconry or any other activity with the Ashford Castle Activities concierge.  Dinner tonight will be a decadent 4 course meal in the grand George V dining room. 

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: 66.78 km / 41.5 MILES