The Friedman & Wurzak's Irish Cycling Adventure

Albert, Suzanne, Howard & JoAnn

Wednesday 3rd September – Thursday 11th September 2025

Number of Travellers: 4
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Overview

Picturesque coastal towns and villages, green pastoral fields, soaring cliffs, wild barren landscapes, the crash of the ocean, the laugh of a local. Ireland is romantic and authentic, a home away from home where both old and modern seem to cohabit seamlessly on a small island in the middle of the sea. Packed with history and tradition your days are spent exploring the island of Ireland’s famous and off-the-beaten-track sites of natural, cultural and political interest. A world-renowned food scene means your evenings are spent dining in style, and with the promise of a pub just around the corner, music and laughter are never far away. Your trip to Ireland will surprise and delight you, but the people of Ireland will stay with you long after your journey has taken you home.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Wednesday 3rd September | Céad Míle Fáilte | Overnight: Cashel

Day 2 | Thursday 4th September | The Golden Vale | Overnight: Cashel

Day 3 | Friday 5th September | Classic Cliffs & Local Characters | Overnight: Cong

Day 4 | Saturday 6th September | Connemara National Park | Overnight: Cong

Day 5 | Sunday 7th September | Iconic Sky Road | Overnight: Cong

Day 6 | Monday 8th September | Cycling the Slieve Bloom Mountains | Overnight: Ballyfin

Day 7 | Tuesday 9th September | Ballyfin Demense | Overnight: Ballyfin

Day 8 | Wednesday 10th September | An Irish Goodbye | Overnight: Dublin

Day 9 | Thursday 11th September | Depart

Highlights

  • Bike through the dramatic windswept boglands of Connemara on a mountainous backdrop
  • Follow the Wild Atlantic Way coastline along Ireland’s beautiful and jaw-dropping west coast
  • Experience the luxury of Ireland's finest hotels

Day by Day

Day 1 - Wednesday 3rd September - Céad Míle Fáilte

Céad Míle Fáilte, or one hundred thousand welcomes, to Ireland! Our expert guide will meet us at the arrivals hall at the airport and, after some short introductions, whisk us 1.5 hours east to Co. Tipperary. As today is our arrival day, we will grab a bite to eat and spend the rest of our day catching up on some sleep, relaxing at the spa, or enjoying an activity onsite. Tonight, our guide will join us for a welcome dinner and drink and a chance to chat about the week to come.

Overnight: Cashel | Cashel Palace Hotel
Room Type: x2 Garden Wing Suites
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 - Thursday 4th September - The Golden Vale

This morning, after a briefing after breakfast, followed by a bike fitting, we head slightly south for a day of pedalling along quiet rural roads, through rolling farmland and forested valleys. We pass the secluded and beautiful Glen of Aherlow, which lies between the dramatic Galtee Mountains, Ireland’s highest inland mountain range, and the wooded slopes of Slievenamuck on the edge of the Golden Vale. Our cycle will lead us to some beautiful viewpoints and quaint, colourful villages that Ireland is so well-known for. Later today, we will enjoy a tasting experience like no other with one of the world’s most famous cheesemakers. We meet the family behind this incredible food story to learn about how Cashel Blue rose to international success and enjoy a guided tasting session of some of their flagship products.

Overnight: Cashel | Cashel Palace Hotel
Room Type: x2 Garden Wing Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Ride Details: 70 km / 43 miles

Day 3 - Friday 5th September - Classic Cliffs & Local Characters

This morning, we head north to the stunning 800-year-old Ashford Castle. En route, we stop at the musical village of Doolin, where we hop on a Zodiac for an up-close-and-personal exploration of the Cliffs of Moher. Far from the tourist crowds, we learn the mythology and wildlife of this iconic site. After lunch, we head north, where we visit the village of Ballyvaughan for a private Irish whiskey tasting with landlady Margaret. Our final stop today is Ashford Castle, once owned by the Guinness family. Ashford dates back to the 12th century and has earned its place in Ireland’s history books.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x2 Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Saturday 6th September - Connemara National Park

Today, we set off on a ride through Connemara, a region rich in Irish history and culture. Passing through the majestic landscapes of Connemara National Park, we continue our journey towards Lough Inagh, where we enjoy lunch at a traditional fishing lodge. The final stage of our day in the saddle follows the ‘Bog Road, ’ an undulating country road that sweeps its way through the lowlands of Connemara’s bogs and brings us into Clifden, where we have the chance to do a bit of exploring in the unofficial capital of Connemara.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x2 Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Ride Details: 64 km / 40 miles | 509 m / 1,670 ft elevation gain

Day 5 - Sunday 7th September - Iconic Sky Road

A bike route around Connemara’s most picturesque coastline awaits as we pedal along the beautiful shoreline through undulating stretches of blanket bog. The landscape opens out to panoramic sea views. For much of today, we will follow coastal roads, cutting across remote peninsulas and soaking up vistas encompassing rolling boglands lined by towering mountain peaks. Marvel at the beauty of the perfectly named Sky Road, one of Ireland’s most iconic routes.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x2 Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Ride Details: 60 km / 37 miles

Day 6 - Monday 8th September - Cycling the Slieve Bloom Mountains

We leave the west coast behind today and head to Ireland’s green and rolling midlands. The gentle rolling hills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains rise from the central plains of Ireland, forming a natural link between the counties of Laois and Offaly. The area is picturesque, peaceful, gloriously multi-coloured, and one of the least explored in Ireland. Dotted around the mountains are quaint little villages, and to visit one is like stepping back in time to an era when life moved at a slower pace. We enjoy a leisurely final cycle here with our guide today. We finish the day at Ballyfin Demesne, where stone walls enclose 614 acres of parkland, a lake and ancient woods, delightful garden buildings, follies and grottoes. From here, our guide says farewell.

Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Room Type: x2 Junior Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Ride Details: 25 km / 16 miles

Day 7 - Tuesday 9th September - Ballyfin Demense

Today is ours to spend onsite at Ballyfin, and there is much to enjoy. Choose from Clay pigeon shooting, a horse and carriage ride throughout the state, or walking along the grounds. Surrounded by woodlands, lakes, grottos, follies, and walled gardens, along with an abundance of activities and bespoke experiences to choose from!  This evening, fun and laughter accompany our dinner as we delve into frockage Heaven – where you will find a wonderful selection of 40 costumes along with a great selection of matching accessories. We will have great fun exploring the rails of beautiful costumes and selecting one to suit each individual. We are now ready to enjoy a splendid evening with a fine banquet and entertainment to make the most of the occasion.

Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Room Type: x2 Junior Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 - Wednesday 10th September - An Irish Goodbye

We enjoy breakfast this morning before a private transfer takes us to Dublin City. Often described as the “city with the village feel”, Dublin is best explored on foot or by using the Luas, our light rail system. Enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this vibrant capital city. See the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. This evening, we join a private guide for a tour across the Dublin pub scene, where we discover hidden, off-the-beaten-path gems with a local. Finish up with some traditional Irish music (or keep going), toasting to the adventure of a lifetime!

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: x2 Luxury Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Thursday 11th September - Depart

This morning, a private transfer will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable, and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • 8 nights of accommodation, as stated in the itinerary above
  • Most meals, as stated in the itinerary above
  • The services of a qualified and experienced cycling guide from Day 1 to Day 8 inclusive
  • All transfers in a private vehicle driven by our guide on guided days
  • Second driver guide driving a support vehicle
  • Private Airport Transfer on Departure Day
  • All guided cycles mentioned in the itinerary
  • E-Bike rental throughout the trip (Trek Allant +6)
  • Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
    • Private cheese-tasting experience
    • Private whiskey tasting experience
    • Private Zodiac tour at the Cliffs of Moher
    • Costume experience at Ballyfin
    • Private walking tour in Dublin
    • Private pub crawl with luxury vehicle
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks & fruit throughout the trip
  • Tips for included meals
  • 24/7 In-Country Support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
  • A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed.
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision.
  • Activities are only private if so specified.
Pricing Read More

The price of this trip is €26,145 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.

Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.

Virtuoso

The Friedman & Wurzak’s Irish Cycling Adventure

Wednesday 3rd September – Thursday 11th September 2025