FAQ 
Connemara Coasts & Islands Cycle
Connemara Coasts & Islands Cycle
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover this wonderful part of the Wild Atlantic Way as you follow the dramatic and ever-changing coastline of Connemara and south west Co Mayo.
- Absorb the pace of life and the local character of the friendly, welcoming people in the small villages and towns.
- Marvel at the seascapes, skies and endless unspoiled views that change from moment to moment.
- Experience the unique traditional island life and the rugged, weather-beaten landscape of Inishbofin.
Killary Fjord is our favourite feature of this coastline because of its steeply-carved sides, abundant wildlife and fascinating history. There is so much to explore along its shores as you enjoy your cycling holiday in Ireland.
YOUR TOUR IN BRIEF
Tour Essentials:
This is a 7 day (6 night) tour starting any day from April to October.
The tour starts at Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara and finishes in Westport Town.
Your Wild Atlantic Bliss Tour consists of easy cycling days with average of 25-40km a day with longer and shorter options available on most days.
Equipment and information:
What's included:
- Upgrade touring bike OR pedal-assisit e-bike
- Helmet
- Front handler bag with repair kit
- Lock
See our bikes section below to have more details about each type of bike.
Before your arrival, you will need to download our app ('Roadbook for Discovery') on which you will have all the details of your tour. Visit our FAQ to see how this app works.
Hospitality:
You will stay in a selection of Connemara’s finest 4* hotels and manors/castles where a full Irish breakfast is included for you on each morning at your accommodation.
Dinner in Renvyle House Hotel on Day 4.
Your luggage will be transferred every day to your next accommodation.
Private taxi transfer from / to Galway / Knock or Westport to the start and back by the end of your tourExtras:
Printed route notes + meet & greet - +€125 per booking. Visit our FAQ to see what the meet & greet entails.
Tour Essentials
This is a 7 day (6 night) tour starting any day from April to October.
The tour starts at Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara and finishes in Westport Town.
Your Wild Atlantic Bliss Tour consists of easy cycling days with average of 25-40km a day with longer and shorter options available on most days.
Equipment and information
What's included:
- Upgrade touring bike OR pedal-assisit e-bike
- Helmet
- Front handler bag with repair kit
- Lock
See our bikes section below to have more details about each type of bike.
Before your arrival, you will need to download our app ('Roadbook for Discovery') on which you will have all the details of your tour. Visit our FAQ to see how this app works.
Hospitality
You will stay in a selection of Connemara’s finest 4* hotels and manors/castles where a full Irish breakfast is included for you on each morning at your accommodation.
Dinner in Renvyle House Hotel on Day 4.
Your luggage will be transferred every day to your next accommodation.
Private taxi transfer from / to Galway / Knock or Westport to the start and back by the end of your tour
Extras
Printed route notes + meet & greet - +€125 per booking. Visit our FAQ to see what the meet & greet entails.
Further information on getting to/from Ireland can be found here
ITINERARY
We will transfer you from either Galway, Westport or Knock Airport to your accommodation for the first two nights of this tour at Ballynahinch Castle. Set in a private 450-acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks this elegant, unpretentious four-star castle hotel stands proud, as the castle has done for centuries past. Nestled in the heart of wildest Connemara it is a haven of fine dining, undiluted peace and utter luxury. All bikes and equipment will be waiting for you at your accommodation, giving you the chance to try them and to make sure everything fits perfectly before your adventure begins the next day!
Today you can enjoy the pleasures of the magnificent estate at Ballynahinch at the foot of the Twelve Bens mountain range. Fishing, walking and hiking are all within easy reach. If you would prefer to continue cycling, you can further explore this area of Connemara via a looped cycle through the pretty coastal villages of Roundstone and Ballyconneely. At Ballyconneely a visit to the acclaimed Connemara Smokehouse, which specialises in wild and organic salmon, smoked and marinated using traditional methods is a lovely way to learn more about this coastal region. Afterwards you will continue your journey to Roundstone, a scenic fishing village in South Connemara, made famous through the work of many well-known painters. They have been attracted here by its picturesque harbour and extensive views of theTwelve Bens. From Roundstone you will complete today’s cycle loop returning to Ballynahinch Castle.
Distance:
20 / 45 km
Your third day will bring you from Ballynahinch to the coastal fishing village of Cleggan as you continue your Connemara cycle. This is the departure point for the ferry to Inishbofin island, your destination for tonight. Enroute you will pass through Clifden and along the Sky Road where you will marvel at its panoramic sea views across the Atlantic and the off-shore islands. You will then follow the Bog Road across areas of native peatland to reach the village of Cleggan. Inishbofin Island is peppered with ancient sites, including the ruins of Cromwell's sixteenth century promontory fort and gaol, set high above the crashing waves at the entrance to the Island's harbour. Today the island has a population of approximately 200 people. Its meandering laneways, soft, sandy beaches and old stone walls contribute to the feeling of stepping back in time. The Inishbofin House Hotel & Marine Spa is a small oasis of comfort and modern hospitality but with that very special island welcome for its guests.
Distance:
22 / 38 km
Back on the mainland there is still plenty to explore on this relatively short cycle to the Renvyle peninsula and your accommodation for tonight at the Renvyle House Hotel. Along the way you will be passing by the Connemara National Park in the village of Letterfrack. If you have time you could have a walk in the park or take a look at the informative visitor centre. Renvyle House Hotel, where you will stay, is an historic country house hotel, situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is located on 150 acres, which include a private lake, a 9-hole golf course, a beach, woodlands, gardens and numerous activities on site. It is an award-winning hotel for hospitality, promising a warm Connemara welcome, delicious food and comfortable bedrooms. Dinner is included for you in Renvyle House on this night so relax, enjoy and sleep well!
Distance:
25 km
Making your way from the Renvyle peninsula you will return through the pretty village of Tullycross with its traditional thatched cottages and on to Letterfrack. You will soon come to Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions. This gothic lakeside castle is also the site of an award-winning, six-acre Victorian walled garden created by Mitchell Henry in tandem with the building of Kylemore Castle in 1867. Today's cycle route will bring you along the coast again as far as Killary Fjord. An arresting sight, it is steep-sided and deep-basined, and you will be able to appreciate every angle of its majestic natural beauty as you follow its shoreline. Your resting place for tonight, Delphi Resort, appears before you as you round the final corner into the Delphi Valley. Quiet colours, natural materials and a tranquil atmosphere will greet you at this sensitively-designed four-star resort.
Distance:
32 km
Leaving the Delphi Valley you will make your way through the even more dramatic Doolough Valley following the winding road by the lake to bring you to the coastal town of Louisburgh. There you might choose to stop and absorb the rhythms of a small west of Ireland town as it goes about life at a gentle pace. The road then continues along the shores of Clew Bay past historical sites such as the fourteenth century Murrisk Abbey and the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick, bringing you to the charming town of Westport. Your stay in Westport will be at the Westport Plaza Hotel where every aspect of comfort, opulence and four-star service is taken care of. You will be able to enjoy both its quality of hospitality and its convenient location to all the town has to offer.
Distance:
45 km
Depart from Westport for your onward journey - our taxi will bring you back to Galway / Knock.
We will transfer you from either Galway, Westport or Knock Airport to your accommodation for the first two nights of this tour at Ballynahinch Castle. Set in a private 450-acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks this elegant, unpretentious four-star castle hotel stands proud, as the castle has done for centuries past. Nestled in the heart of wildest Connemara it is a haven of fine dining, undiluted peace and utter luxury. All bikes and equipment will be waiting for you at your accommodation, giving you the chance to try them and to make sure everything fits perfectly before your adventure begins the next day!
Today you can enjoy the pleasures of the magnificent estate at Ballynahinch at the foot of the Twelve Bens mountain range. Fishing, walking and hiking are all within easy reach. If you would prefer to continue cycling, you can further explore this area of Connemara via a looped cycle through the pretty coastal villages of Roundstone and Ballyconneely. At Ballyconneely a visit to the acclaimed Connemara Smokehouse, which specialises in wild and organic salmon, smoked and marinated using traditional methods is a lovely way to learn more about this coastal region. Afterwards you will continue your journey to Roundstone, a scenic fishing village in South Connemara, made famous through the work of many well-known painters. They have been attracted here by its picturesque harbour and extensive views of theTwelve Bens. From Roundstone you will complete today’s cycle loop returning to Ballynahinch Castle.
Distance:
20 / 45 km
Your third day will bring you from Ballynahinch to the coastal fishing village of Cleggan as you continue your Connemara cycle. This is the departure point for the ferry to Inishbofin island, your destination for tonight. Enroute you will pass through Clifden and along the Sky Road where you will marvel at its panoramic sea views across the Atlantic and the off-shore islands. You will then follow the Bog Road across areas of native peatland to reach the village of Cleggan. Inishbofin Island is peppered with ancient sites, including the ruins of Cromwell's sixteenth century promontory fort and gaol, set high above the crashing waves at the entrance to the Island's harbour. Today the island has a population of approximately 200 people. Its meandering laneways, soft, sandy beaches and old stone walls contribute to the feeling of stepping back in time. The Inishbofin House Hotel & Marine Spa is a small oasis of comfort and modern hospitality but with that very special island welcome for its guests.
Distance:
22 / 38 km
Back on the mainland there is still plenty to explore on this relatively short cycle to the Renvyle peninsula and your accommodation for tonight at the Renvyle House Hotel. Along the way you will be passing by the Connemara National Park in the village of Letterfrack. If you have time you could have a walk in the park or take a look at the informative visitor centre. Renvyle House Hotel, where you will stay, is an historic country house hotel, situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is located on 150 acres, which include a private lake, a 9-hole golf course, a beach, woodlands, gardens and numerous activities on site. It is an award-winning hotel for hospitality, promising a warm Connemara welcome, delicious food and comfortable bedrooms. Dinner is included for you in Renvyle House on this night so relax, enjoy and sleep well!
Distance:
25 km
Making your way from the Renvyle peninsula you will return through the pretty village of Tullycross with its traditional thatched cottages and on to Letterfrack. You will soon come to Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions. This gothic lakeside castle is also the site of an award-winning, six-acre Victorian walled garden created by Mitchell Henry in tandem with the building of Kylemore Castle in 1867. Today's cycle route will bring you along the coast again as far as Killary Fjord. An arresting sight, it is steep-sided and deep-basined, and you will be able to appreciate every angle of its majestic natural beauty as you follow its shoreline. Your resting place for tonight, Delphi Resort, appears before you as you round the final corner into the Delphi Valley. Quiet colours, natural materials and a tranquil atmosphere will greet you at this sensitively-designed four-star resort.
Distance:
32 km
Leaving the Delphi Valley you will make your way through the even more dramatic Doolough Valley following the winding road by the lake to bring you to the coastal town of Louisburgh. There you might choose to stop and absorb the rhythms of a small west of Ireland town as it goes about life at a gentle pace. The road then continues along the shores of Clew Bay past historical sites such as the fourteenth century Murrisk Abbey and the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick, bringing you to the charming town of Westport. Your stay in Westport will be at the Westport Plaza Hotel where every aspect of comfort, opulence and four-star service is taken care of. You will be able to enjoy both its quality of hospitality and its convenient location to all the town has to offer.
Distance:
45 km
Depart from Westport for your onward journey - our taxi will bring you back to Galway / Knock.
ACCOMMODATION
Luxury tour accommodation
When you choose one of our luxury tours you will be choosing to stay in some of the most unique and sumptuous properties in the west of Ireland. Each one has character, charm, a magnificent setting and excellent standards of service. They are all also renowned for their exquisite food, favouring local produce. All conveniences are provided in these 4* & 5* properties as expected, but they also offer the bonus of a real Irish welcome which is at the heart of each of these specially selected establishments. Restored castles, historic manor houses, contemporary luxury hotels and magnificent mountain lodges are all part of the experience.
Luxury tour accommodation
When you choose one of our luxury tours you will be choosing to stay in some of the most unique and sumptuous properties in the west of Ireland. Each one has character, charm, a magnificent setting and excellent standards of service. They are all also renowned for their exquisite food, favouring local produce. All conveniences are provided in these 4* & 5* properties as expected, but they also offer the bonus of a real Irish welcome which is at the heart of each of these specially selected establishments. Restored castles, historic manor houses, contemporary luxury hotels and magnificent mountain lodges are all part of the experience.
TOUR DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
LOW SEASON: April, May, September & October
HIGH SEASON: June, July & August
What's included
Meals
- All breakfasts
- Dinner in the award-winning restaurant at Renvyle House on Day 4
Transport
- All luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation leaving you free to explore at your ease.
- Return ferry ticket to Inishbofin Island.
- We will bring you from Galway, Westport or Knock Airport to Ballynahinch Castle on arrival day and back after the tour
Accommodation
- 6 nights accommodation in 4* hotels and castles/manors
BIKES
- Each bicycle is equipped with a bottle cage, small front handlebar bag, bike rack (with option to add pannier bags).
- Safety – we provide a helmet (various sizes) and a high visibility jacket for our customer’s safety on the road.
- Spare tube, repair kit with tyre levers, pump and bike lock are all provided.
- Cyclists are expected to be able to have a general knowledge of the function of bicycles, i.e. how to change gears, how to brake properly, replacing a slipped chain, changing a flat tyre. Please check out this link if you are looking for few tips.
| Sizes: | 28", 30", 32" |
| Frame: | Alpha Gold Aluminium |
| Fork: | FX Alloy |
| Shock: | N/A |
| Handlebar: | Bontrager alloy |
| Stem: | Adjustable ahead |
| Seat post: | Bontrager alloy |
| Saddle: | Bontrager Sport |
| Pedals: | Bontrager City Pedals |
| Shifters: | Shimano Altus M2010, 9-speed |
| Front mech: | Shimano Acera T3000 |
| Rear mech: | Shimano Altus M2000 | |
| Brakes: | Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic disc | |
| Brake lever: | Shimano | |
| Cassette: |
|
|
| Chain: |
|
|
| Cranks: | Forged alloy | |
| Bottom bracket: | Sealed cartridge | |
| Rims: | Bontrager Connection | |
| Hubs: | Formula DC-20 | |
| Spokes: | Stainless steel |
| Frame Material: | Alpha Gold Aluminium |
| Frame Angles: | 71.5 head, 73.5 |
| Sizes: | 28",30", 32" |
| Colour: | Black |
| Fork: | SR Suntour NEX |
| Rear Shock: | Not applicable |
| Brake Levers: | aluminum linear-pull |
| Handlebar: | Bontrager Comp Lowriser |
| Stem: | Bontrager Elite |
| Headset: | 1 1/8" threadless headset |
| Front Der: | Shimano Acera T3000 |
| Crankset: | Shimano MT210 |
| Rear Der: | Shimano Alivio M3100 |
| Pedals: | Wellgo M141 |
| Tires: | Bontrager GR1 Expert |
Sizes: SM, MD, LG
Frame: SmartForm C3 Alloy, Internal battery
Fork: Full carbon
Shock: N/A
Handlebar: Cannondale Riser, 6061 Alloy
Stem: Cannondale 3
Seat post: Alloy
Saddle: Cannondale Fitness Ergo Double Density
Pedals: Cannondale Fitness
Shifters: microSHIFT Advent X, 10-Speed
| Rear mech: | Shimano Acera |
| Brakes: | Tektro linear pull |
| Brake lever: | Shimano |
| Cassette: | SRAM PG830 11-28 |
| Chain: | KMC Z7 |
| Cranks: | Shimano FC-M191 28/38/48 |
| Bottom bracket: | Cartridge |
| Rims: | Matrix 750 700c |
| Hubs: | Shimano RM40 |
| Spokes: | Stainless steel |
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
DIFFICULTY Easy
Represents a low level of activity with maximum 35 kms on the bike or 12 kms by foot per day – 3 hours physical activity
DIFFICULTY Medium
Represents a medium level of activity with maximum 50 kms on the bike or 15 kms by foot per day – 4 to 5 hours physical activity
DIFFICULTY Hard
Represents a higher level of activity with maximum 80 kms on the bike or 25 kms by foot per day – 6 to 7 hours physical activity
CUSTOMISE THIS TOUR
You can add extra days or shorten this holiday to suit your needs or schedule.
We are very fortunate to have hundreds of kilometres of magnificent coastal and scenic routes and paths to enjoy. So the options are endless.
We understand that the duration of this tour may not be the ideal amount of time for everyone so if you would like a longer or a shorter version, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will design a custom tour for you to suit your needs.
GETTING TO TOUR START POINT
This tour starts at Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara and finishes in Westport Town.
We will bring you from Galway, Westport or Knock Airport to Ballynahinch Castle on arrival day.
You can take a Citylink bus or a Gobus directly from Dublin airport (or from Dublin city centre) to Galway (approx. 3 hours trip).
Visit Irishrail for a daily train timetable from Dublin to Westport or from Westport to Dublin. From Dublin airport you will have to take the Airlink bus to Heuston train station.
You can fly to Knock airport from UK, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Italy:
- With Ryanair: flight from and to Alicante, Bristol, East Midlands, Eindhoven, Faro, Girona Barcelona, Glasgow Prestwick, Gran Canaria, Kauras, Lanzarote, Liverpool, London Luton, London Stansted, Malaga, Milan Bergamo and Tenerife Sth.
- With AerLingus: flight from and to Birmingham, London All Airports and London/Gatwick
Reviews
Roshan
02 Jun 2023
5/5
Fantastic experience, we did their Wild Atlantic Way cycling trip around Connemara for a week. Irmi tailored it to our specific dates and schedule. Accomodations all exceeded our expectations, bikes were new and great, and they transferred our luggage smoothly every day. Trip routes were easy to follow with beautiful and changing scenery & towns, and Irmi gave great suggestions for food and side trip hikes. I highly recommend them for your trip!
Allen
11 Apr 2022
5/5
Thank you for a wonderful holiday! We thought you all were terrific and we really enjoyed the entire experience. Please pass our compliments on.
ACCOMMODATION
LOW SEASON: April, May, September & October
HIGH SEASON: June, July & August
What's included
Meals
- All breakfasts
- Dinner in the award-winning restaurant at Renvyle House on Day 4
Transport
- All luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation leaving you free to explore at your ease.
- Return ferry ticket to Inishbofin Island.
- We will bring you from Galway, Westport or Knock Airport to Ballynahinch Castle on arrival day and back after the tour
Accommodation
- 6 nights accommodation in 4* hotels and castles/manors
BIKES
- Each bicycle is equipped with a bottle cage, small front handlebar bag, bike rack (with option to add pannier bags).
- Safety – we provide a helmet (various sizes) and a high visibility jacket for our customer’s safety on the road.
- Spare tube, repair kit with tyre levers, pump and bike lock are all provided.
- Cyclists are expected to be able to have a general knowledge of the function of bicycles, i.e. how to change gears, how to brake properly, replacing a slipped chain, changing a flat tyre. Please check out this link if you are looking for few tips.
| Sizes: | 28", 30", 32" |
| Frame: | Alpha Gold Aluminium |
| Fork: | FX Alloy |
| Shock: | N/A |
| Handlebar: | Bontrager alloy |
| Stem: | Adjustable ahead |
| Seat post: | Bontrager alloy |
| Saddle: | Bontrager Sport |
| Pedals: | Bontrager City Pedals |
| Shifters: | Shimano Altus M2010, 9-speed |
| Front mech: | Shimano Acera T3000 |
| Rear mech: | Shimano Altus M2000 | |
| Brakes: | Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic disc | |
| Brake lever: | Shimano | |
| Cassette: |
|
|
| Chain: |
|
|
| Cranks: | Forged alloy | |
| Bottom bracket: | Sealed cartridge | |
| Rims: | Bontrager Connection | |
| Hubs: | Formula DC-20 | |
| Spokes: | Stainless steel |
| Frame Material: | Alpha Gold Aluminium |
| Frame Angles: | 71.5 head, 73.5 |
| Sizes: | 28",30", 32" |
| Colour: | Black |
| Fork: | SR Suntour NEX |
| Rear Shock: | Not applicable |
| Brake Levers: | aluminum linear-pull |
| Handlebar: | Bontrager Comp Lowriser |
| Stem: | Bontrager Elite |
| Headset: | 1 1/8" threadless headset |
| Front Der: | Shimano Acera T3000 |
| Crankset: | Shimano MT210 |
| Rear Der: | Shimano Alivio M3100 |
| Pedals: | Wellgo M141 |
| Tires: | Bontrager GR1 Expert |
Sizes: SM, MD, LG
Frame: SmartForm C3 Alloy, Internal battery
Fork: Full carbon
Shock: N/A
Handlebar: Cannondale Riser, 6061 Alloy
Stem: Cannondale 3
Seat post: Alloy
Saddle: Cannondale Fitness Ergo Double Density
Pedals: Cannondale Fitness
Shifters: microSHIFT Advent X, 10-Speed
| Rear mech: | Shimano Acera |
| Brakes: | Tektro linear pull |
| Brake lever: | Shimano |
| Cassette: | SRAM PG830 11-28 |
| Chain: | KMC Z7 |
| Cranks: | Shimano FC-M191 28/38/48 |
| Bottom bracket: | Cartridge |
| Rims: | Matrix 750 700c |
| Hubs: | Shimano RM40 |
| Spokes: | Stainless steel |
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
DIFFICULTY Easy
Represents a low level of activity with maximum 35 kms on the bike or 12 kms by foot per day – 3 hours physical activity
DIFFICULTY Medium
Represents a medium level of activity with maximum 50 kms on the bike or 15 kms by foot per day – 4 to 5 hours physical activity
DIFFICULTY Hard
Represents a higher level of activity with maximum 80 kms on the bike or 25 kms by foot per day – 6 to 7 hours physical activity
CUSTOMISE THIS TOUR
You can add extra days or shorten this holiday to suit your needs or schedule.
We are very fortunate to have hundreds of kilometres of magnificent coastal and scenic routes and paths to enjoy. So the options are endless.
We understand that the duration of this tour may not be the ideal amount of time for everyone so if you would like a longer or a shorter version, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will design a custom tour for you to suit your needs.
This tour starts at Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara and finishes in Westport Town.
We will bring you from Galway, Westport or Knock Airport to Ballynahinch Castle on arrival day.
You can take a Citylink bus or a Gobus directly from Dublin airport (or from Dublin city centre) to Galway (approx. 3 hours trip).
Visit Irishrail for a daily train timetable from Dublin to Westport or from Westport to Dublin. From Dublin airport you will have to take the Airlink bus to Heuston train station.
You can fly to Knock airport from UK, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Italy:
- With Ryanair: flight from and to Alicante, Bristol, East Midlands, Eindhoven, Faro, Girona Barcelona, Glasgow Prestwick, Gran Canaria, Kauras, Lanzarote, Liverpool, London Luton, London Stansted, Malaga, Milan Bergamo and Tenerife Sth.
- With AerLingus: flight from and to Birmingham, London All Airports and London/Gatwick
Reviews
Roshan
02 Jun 2023
5/5
Fantastic experience, we did their Wild Atlantic Way cycling trip around Connemara for a week. Irmi tailored it to our specific dates and schedule. Accomodations all exceeded our expectations, bikes were new and great, and they transferred our luggage smoothly every day. Trip routes were easy to follow with beautiful and changing scenery & towns, and Irmi gave great suggestions for food and side trip hikes. I highly recommend them for your trip!
Allen
11 Apr 2022
5/5
Thank you for a wonderful holiday! We thought you all were terrific and we really enjoyed the entire experience. Please pass our compliments on.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
To secure your booking, we will request 30% deposit per person. Please note this is a
non-refundable payment. The balance payment is due 30 days before the tour starts.
If your tour start date is within 30 days of booking, the full, non-refundable payment is required upon booking.
We do not organise travel to/from Ireland. However there is plenty of useful information on our Getting to Ireland page.