Ireland Active Group Trip

Day 1 - Exploring Quaint Kenmare

Meeting in Shannon Airport, you and your guides will head south into the magical landscapes of Kerry for your first afternoon cycling on the Beara Peninsula. Get familiar with your saddle on an afternoon ride after your custom e-bike fit. Explore rolling emerald hills, snug villages, ruined monasteries and even thatched cottages. Starting in the lively Kenmare village, you will pedal off along country lanes for lovely bay views before indulging in a delicious welcome dinner with your guides for the week.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Ride Details: 23 km / 14 miles

Day 2 - Unique Foraging Experience

On the southern shores of the Iveragh peninsula you will meet one of our favourite characters. A fisherman, foraging expert, storyteller and a true Irish gent, John will take you on a wander along the shoreline learning about life on Ireland’s west coast all the while regaling you with tales of characters from the region, from lonely monks to 18th century civil rights activists to mythical heroes. After lunch, visit the ancestral home of Irish politician and statesman, Daniel O’Connell, one of the great figures of modern Irish history.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Killarney National Park & Gap of Dunloe

Your first full day of cycling today and you’re in for a treat with several iconic cycling routes on the itinerary for the day. Cycling through Molls Gap with panoramic views over the mountains you will then cross the beloved Gap of Dunloe, home to the iconic Wishing Bridge. Pedalling through the lush verdant canopy of Killarney woodlands, bike the shores of the spectacular lakes, gaze up the romantic ruins of crumbling castles, hear the clip-clop of quaint horse-drawn carriages, and perhaps even spot the local red deer.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Ride Details: 50 km / 31 miles

Day 4 - Exploring the Dingle Peninsula and Blasket Islands

The Dingle Peninsula is like an open air museum- richly filled with national monuments and historically important sites. Spend today exploring the wonders both on and off the peninsula starting with a morning trip to The Blasket Islands. A stunning archipelago renowned for their beauty and rugged wilderness and literary heritage.  Enjoy a short boat ride over followed by a guided tour.

Back on the mainland your tour of the Dingle Peninsula continues, visit Gallarus Oratory, a 1200 year old dry stone oratory in perfect condition with glorious ocean view. Follow the stunning coastline on Slea Head drive, visit a local pottery barn, studio and cafe for tea, cake and perhaps some momentos.  In the evening, enjoy some of Dingle’s live music – in a town home to some of the best traditional Irish music.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Explore the Burren National Park

A transfer this morning across the river Shannon by ferry and into Co. Clare to the lesser-known Burren National Park, the jewel in the crown of West Ireland. The otherworldly exposed limestone landscape contains a fascinating mix of wildflowers, wildlife, geology and ancient tombs. Meet a local farmer and enjoy a masterclass in sheep dog working with an exhilarating demonstration. Enjoy lunch on site where you will be offered the chance to taste some local produce before heading out to explore some of the area on a hike.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 5 km / 3 miles

Day 6 - Biking the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher

Taking the ferry to the largest of the Aran Islands this morning you will hop on your bikes to visit the impressive Dun Aonghasa Fort, balanced precariously on the edge of a sheer sea-cliff. On the southwest edge of the island, those with a head for heights can descend onto a limestone shelf edge of the island to view the worm-hole, an enormous rectangular blow-hole where the Red Bull World Cliff Diving Championship is frequently held. After lunch, you will have a little free time to explore the fascinating Inis Mór some more, perhaps digging deeper into its history or learning a bit of Gaelic from a local in an island pub before sailing back to the mainland and visiting the famous Cliffs of Moher

Towering above the crashing Atlantic Sea are one of Ireland’s most iconic and well known

sights, The Cliffs of Moher. Standing at over 700ft high, these cliffs are home to a plethora of sea birds nesting from early spring onwards. Take a late evening walk along the cliffs with your guide and witness the awesome power of mother nature before you take a tour of the visitors centre and cliff exhibition nearby. The Cliffs of Moher have majestically faced the Atlantic for over 350 million years and their beauty is incomparable – it is Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction and when you visit you will understand why.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Ride Details: 27 km / 17 miles

Day 7 - Galway Tour

Galway is the capital of Ireland’s west. Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful store fronts is vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan. You have a choice today of a walking tour exploring Galway’s historical past and present or a food tour sampling all the sweet savoury and liquid delights that Galway has to offer.

Your accommodation this evening is a fitting finale to your time on the Wild Atlantic Way. Ballynahinch Castle is one of Irelnd’s finest luxury castle hotels, set in a private 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara, Co. Galway. This authentic and unpretentious Castle Hotel stands proudly overlooking its famous salmon fishery, with a backdrop of the beautiful Twelve Bens Mountain range.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Biking Connemara National Park

Enjoy a classic ride through Connemara: a loop route around the wild Twelve Bens mountain range in Connemara National Park. Visiting iconic landmarks like the elegant Kylemore Abbey, following the wild shores of Lough Inagh, biking the undulating ‘Bog Road’ that sweeps through Connemara’s lowlands.

Dinner this evening will be together with your guides in celebration of your trip.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Ride Details: 40 km / 25 miles

Day 9 - Galway to Dublin

Leaving the west coast of Ireland behind you today, journey back to Dublin and check into your city centre hotel for your final two nights where you can enjoy some urban exploration. Once you have arrived at your city centre hotel, your guides will say goodbye and the rest of your day is free to start exploring this fair city!

Visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery; wander through lively Grafton Street and Temple Bar, and finish off the day with a delicious evening meal. We have plenty of suggestions of attractions, tours and experiences we love in Dublin.

Overnight: Dublin | The Green Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - City Walking Tour

Start your day with a local historian and walking guide who will meet you in your hotel lobby for an insider’s tour of the city. Discover the story behind the Book of Kells and its significance in history, hear tales of Ireland’s fight for independence, learn of the influence of the American and French Revolutions, the Potato Famine, the Great War and the 1916 Rising.

Dublin, Ireland’s capital has been described as the ‘city with a village feel’ and as you explore its cobbled streets and historical monuments it will be easy to see why. Dublin is best explored on foot or using public transport such as the LUAS, our light rail system.

Many of Dublin’s highlights are within walking distance and indeed you will discover it is in the act of wandering from one to another where you will soak up Dublin’s authentic atmosphere.

Overnight: Dublin | The Green Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Depart Home

Your private airport transfer will collect you from your city centre hotel this morning in time for your check in and flight home.

We do hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we once again have the opportunity to welcome to our shores.

Meals Included: Breakfast