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Family Biking Connemara

GUIDED TOUR ITINERARY

Trip Highlights:

·         Learn about our pirates and Spanish ponies

·         Pony rides across sandy beaches

·         Surf school or kayaking

·         Learn to fly fish and hear regaling tales of magic salmon

Connemara is one of Ireland's best kept secrets. Located in the peaceful and pristine West Coast, Connemara is a haven for activities and the great outdoors. Biking with the kids becomes a terrific adventure, expecially as you realise you share the roads with local sheep instead of cars! With our intimate knowledge of small backroads, we prepare daily rides with you in mind. Optional activities include horse back riding, surfing, hill walking, fly fishing and a fjord cruise. Steeped in history, we rage tales of pirates and wild horses as  you bike this wonderful coastline. Vehicle support is readily available for tired little legs. Come and see Ireland through your children's eyes!

DAY 1: Untamed Landscapes
Arrival and tour start point in Galway City. We transfer to Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara.  Enroute we visit the carefully restored Aughanure Castle where we have a guided tour. Steeped in local history, the castle is located close to the banks of Lough Corrib and conjures strong medieval images of the feuding O'Flaherty clan and their adventures in trading, piracy. You will also learn of Grainuaily, Grace O'Malley, the pirate queen of Ireland's west. At Ballynahinch we celebrate your arrival with a meet and greet reception and introduction, bike fit out and gentle warm up ride along the shores of Cashel Bay. Evening  dinner at the castle's Owenmore River restaurant, all sourced in the West of Ireland.
Overnight at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel.
Warm Up ride: 5 miles

DAY 2: Seascapes and Stunning Coastline
Early morning start to Roundstone village, the most picturesque fishing harbour in Connemara where traditional Galway Hooker, lovingly cared for over the years, can be seen on Bertraghboy Bay. We visit Malachy Kearns Musical Instrument workshop, the home of the traditional Bodhran. Departing Roundstone to Ballyconneely village via stunning beaches at Dog’s Bay and GurteenBay, we follow the rugged coastline to Ballyconneely, taking time to visit the Connemara Smokehouse, perched on the water's edge. Here the Roberts family run Connemara's longest established smokehouse, are one of the few specialists in wild smoked salmon. We bike to the Alcock and Brown monument, dedicated to the first transatlantic flight in 1919 from New Foundland. Returning to Ballynahinch Castle hotel by way of the scenic bog road where sheep are our only distraction. Tonight we dine at a nearby award winning, family run restaurant where the seafood is truly the 'catch of the day'.
Overnight at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel.
Daily Miles: custom children's miles, with longer routes from 22 - 30 miles.

DAY 3: Carpe Diem
Today is a day with splendid opportunities to explore the little antique stores and galleries of nearby Clifden town.  There are optional activities today including Horse back riding along the shores of Omey Island from the village of Cleggan; Golfing at the Connemara Golf Club at Ballyconneely or Fly fishing at Ballynahinch Castle. We bike the Sky Road. 'C'est magnifique', I heard one day as we absorbed the island vista before us. We make our way to Connemara National Park and Letterfrack village, arriving at the splendid neo-gothic, Kylemore Abbey, nestled between the cliffs of Doughruagh and Poulacappal Lough. Tonight we recap our day's adventure at Lough Inagh Lodge.
Overnight Lough Inagh Lodge.
Daily Miles: custom children's miles, with the average miles to day covering 32 miles. Extensions available.

DAY 4: Sand, Sea and Sky
Today our route will take us through the Lough Inagh Valley, one of the finest valleys in Ireland. On this morning's bike ride you'll see a stunning vista of peatlands, lakes, and forests. Today we take a cruise on the Killary Fjord, Ireland's only fjord, on 'the Connemara Lady'. We then continue biking around Killary Fiord surrounded by Maamturk and Mweelrea mountains. Through the village of Leenane, the setting for the Oscar winning film "The Field" with Richard Harris. Ease into the evening as you watch the sunset and enjoy some local gourmet delights and shared tales of the day's adventure.
Overnight at Delphi Lodge.
Daily miles: Daily Miles: custom children's miles. Day's average 35miles with extensions.

Day 5: Clew Bay Biking
Immerse yourself in your surrounds this morning. We spin onward through the mountain pass between Mweelrea, Connemara's highest mountain and the Sheefry Hills. Pedal by Doolough, spectacular in its dark beauty. This route is often referred to as the Famine Trail, dating back to tragic local events during the famine years of the 1840's. We reach Louisburgh, which translates to the delightful name of 'Meadow of the Buttercups' a quiet, traditional village and continue westward along Clew Bay. We arrive at Croagh Patrick, the west of Ireland's pilgrim mountain. Explore Murrisk Abbey, hike part of the holy mountain - or climb to the summit (2300 ft). Onward to the lively heritage town of Westport, a charming planned town with a unique blend of the old and new. Walk along the tree lined river at 'The Mall' and enjoy a late afternoon drink to unwind from your day. We enjoy an evening of traditional, local fare, followed by traditional Irish Music where the lass faint hearted can join in and sing or dance should you so desire!
Overnight at Knockranny House Hotel.
Daily miles: Daily Miles: custom children's miles with optional extensions.

DAY 6: Castle Extension or Departure 
Today, sadly, today we bid you farewell. This morning you depart from Westport to your next point. We can assist you with any planning, be it rail, flight or car hire. Please also see our 'trip arrival and departure' instructions' for transport options.

You also have the option of extending your bike trip by one further day. Transfer or bike from Westport to Cong, and stay overnight at the historical, five star, Ashford Castle Hotel. This is a magnificent opportunity to visit Ballintubber Abbey, the 13th century abbey and continue to the historic village of Cong, most famed as the setting for the John Forde movie 'The Quiet Man' starring John Wayne and Irelands' famed Maureen O'Hara. Ashford Castle, perched on the edge of Lough Corrib, was built in 1228 and in later years home to Sir Benjamin lee Guinness, of the famed Guinness family. Avid gardeners, Sir Guinness and his son, Lord Ardilaun created the beautiful gardens and surrounding acreage of woodlands. Nearby, the 12th century ruins of the Augustinian Abbey stand as a legacy to this fine castle.

Activity options include: horseback riding, falconry, fishing, golf in lieu of biking. These activities as options, are costed as extras to your trip but can be booked on your behalf on advance. You may also elect to take a leisurely cruise on Lough Corrib from Ashford Castle. This option includes a visit to historical Inchgoill Island, where the remains of 5th Century St. Patrick's church lies nestled in the woods. Outside is a memorial stone with the inscription ' Lie Luguaedon macci Menueh' (the stone of Luguaedon, son of Menueh), one of the oldest inscribed stones in Ireland dated to 500 A.D.

Enjoy an evening dinner overlooking the castle grounds, often accompanied by music from the Drawing Room's grand piano.
Transfer next day to Galway Airport or Rail Station for departure to your next point.

Overnight at Ashford Castle Hotel
Daily miles: chose between a private castle transfer or bike ride. Daily Miles: custom children's miles. Extension through Tourmakeady and Clonbur: 42 miles.

CycleWest Ireland Ltd
Ph: +353 91 877323  Email: tours@cyclewest.com
Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 5.30pm GMT

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