Ireland Travel Forum

I am planning a bicycle trip in Ireland next spring (late). Many questions. Should I book with a tour or go the route alone with my own itinerary? Planning on flying in and out of Shannon. Any ideas or suggestions for a circular route. I feel comfortable with 30- 40 miles per day. Any suggestions appreciated.

I cycled from Belfast westwards to the coast, then southwards including Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher, before heading eastwards.

Everywhere was absolutely amazing. The people were incredibly friendly, the coasts were stunning, and everything was as green as you see in pictures - it really is that green.

Any more pictures, please e-mail and I'll do my best. It has been since 1990 since I was cycling there.

Brent

And I would say go either way - group or alone. it depends on how you like to travel, your budget and what you want to see.

Brent

I had bikes with me on a holiday, and enjoyed the scenery, especially on the coast "ring" around Beara peninsula. But I would say that in spring even the larger and more touristy peninsulas (Dingle, Ring of Kerry) aren't that crowded with cars and tourbuses, so you should have a good time there too. Saying this, I'd go south from Shannon, through North Kerry to Dingle, the "Ring", Beara, and maybe further towards Kinsale/Cork and maybe go back by train depending on your time. Other areas like the Burren are beautiful too, but I would stick to one "region" if I were you. There are also some fixed routes and agencies that organise trips, but to be more flexible I'd recommend finding your own way.
Weatherwise May/June should be good (from my own experience) but of course you never know...
Enjoy the planning!
P.

Brent,

thanks for the reply. I am thinking budget wise I will be trying to hook up with someone and then take off to explore one particular region. Have to resist the urge to 'see it all'.

Kevin

Pete,

Thanks! Alot of good info there. Appreciated!

The panning is half the fun,. I think.

See ya,

Kevin

Ireland is an easy country to bicycle. The terrain is rolling, and there is plenty to see. I had only one moderate climb, to the cliffs, but other than that it was not difficult at all. Have fun.

Nick in Alaska

My bicycle and I took a tour of Ireland the first two weeks of September (2003). It was a hybrid tour - I traveled on my own and carried my own gear, but I took the lazy gal's approach to touring and had Tony Boyd of Iron Donkey (www.irondonkey.com) plan the trip for me. You can read my journal and see a lot of my pictures at http://denise2003ireland.crazyguyonabike.com. Ireland was a fantastic place for touring. It would be an easy place to just wander on your own - there are B&Bs and hostels all over, the people are very friendly, and the scenery is fantastic. You need to be comfortable on very narrow roads with no shoulders, but the traffic is very light so even if you're not used to little roads you should be able to get used to them.

I flew in and out of Dublin, started riding in Belcoo, and finished in Belfast. The trains were a help - you have to buy a ticket for your bike, but you can roll it aboard all of the trains, no boxing needed.

Have a fabulous trip - and if you have any questions you'd like me to answer, please sign the guestbook in my journal.

Denise