Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Independent OR Escorted tour

This tour takes you through some of the most historic areas in Ireland. From 5000 year old the burial chambers at Newgrange to the mansions built in the Celtic Tiger era.
The route takes you out of Dublin on quiet back roads through the farm lands that feeds the city to the beautiful and historic Boyne Valley. On roads undiscovered by tourists the route heads north through the spectacular Cooley Mountains to the medieval town of Carlingford. Returning to Dublin through the rich pasture lands of Meath and Kildare the route passes the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland at Tara.
There is a mixture of hilly and flat roads on this tour. Leaving and approaching Dublin the roads are largely flat but are hillier further north.

The cycling safari starts with a meeting of the group at 6:30pm in the Bar of the Grand Hotel in Malahide, a suburb on the north side of Dublin which is well served by public transport. After an introductory talk from the guide, an evening meal is organised in the hotel, while your luggage is transported to our nearby guesthouse(s).
If you get there early you can leave your luggage with the hotel reception and explore this pretty seaside village. There are lots of bars, cafes, restaurants and shops to wander around. If you prefer you could walk the short distance from the village to the 12th century Malahide Castle and its grounds which are now a public park.

The tour leaves the picturesque seaside village of Malahide following the shores of the swords estuary past flocks of wild birds into the north Dublin market gardens which provide much of the city’s vegetables. Keeping to quiet undiscovered roads we return to the coast passing the towns of Laytown and Bettystown before reaching the river Boyne where we turn east and follow it upstream to the historic town of Drogheda which suffered the wrath of Oliver Cromwell in 1649. The town is a bustling place with plenty of bars and restaurants.

Day 3: Drogueda - Smarmore (35 km)

Our route is a short one today but you will need to be up early to give some time to view the wonderful historic sites which are within the first 10km. Leaving Drogheda and continuing up stream next to the majestic Boyne the route takes in the site of the Battle of the Boyne which was fought in 1690 between the catholic King James and the protestant king William of Orange. Soon after this you come to the Bru Na Boinne centre and the historical highlight of the tour, the Newgrange Burial Chamber. This UNESCO World Heritage site is more than a passage tomb. At over 5000 years old its design, construction and astrological complexity defies comprehension. Continuing along the Boyne to the village of Slane. We cross to the north side of the river where you can visit the site where St Patrick first used the shamrock to begin to convert the locals to Christianity. Heading into the pasture lands with views of the Cooley mountains appearing and disappearing as we travel through drumlin country to our accommodation where we have the possibility of staying in a 14th century castle.

On pleasant, mostly flat roads through rich dairy lands, our route winds its way north through the busy town of Ardee, visiting sleepy villages. We are now in deepest Ireland. You won’t find too many tourists around here. The route then begins to head towards the coast and we begin to get glimpses of marine views as the terrain changes to slightly more rugged terrain. Skirting around the town of Dundalk we travel on what were known during the “troubles” 20 years ago as unapproved roads as they crossed the border. From here we head on to the Cooley peninsula with its stone walls and forest shaded lanes. We climb to the Long Woman’s grave and descend to the northern side of the peninsula with the spectacular panorama of Carlingford Lough and the Mountains of Mourne sweeping down to the sea (as in the famous song) before us. It is a short ride along the coast to our accommodation in the medieval village of Carlingford.

Carlingford is a wonderful place for a rest day. You will deserve a rest having crossed the ridge the day before. If you are feeling energetic you can hike up on to Slieve Foyle which soars upwards from the village. In the village centre there is an adventure centre which can organise all manner of activities from gentle strolls to high wire, from a quiet paddle in a kayak to abseiling on the mountain. Or you could spend a pleasant day wandering around the villages many historic buildings, punctuating your tour with visits to some of the village’s cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Our day starts with a short transfer to Carrickmacross. The route takes us out of Carrickmaccross, an old 17th century market town, on verdant stone wall lined lanes to Kingscourt, an unselfconscious midland Irish town. Around here you will see the evidence of Irelands recent boom and crash in the shape of unfinished houses. From here we head south to the heritage town of Kells or Ceannus Mor as it is known in Irish. It was here that the Book of Kells, a lavishly illustrated hand made copy of the scriptures penned by monks circa 800 ad, was found.
We travel on through rich farmland on mainly flat roads through the Irish (Gaelic) speaking region of Racthcarin returning to the banks of the Boyne at our over night stop in the town of Trim. Don’t miss the largely intact 12th century Trim Castle which has featured in several movies.

Today’s ride is largely flat through stud farms and fertile fields. We leave the Boyne again take in the Hill of Tara a site of historical, mythical and religious significance where 142 kings are said to have ruled from.
We cross into county Kildare as we approach the valley of the Liffey which runs through the centre of Dublin City. Our final few kilometres are through the Phoenix Park. This is one of the largest city parks in the world. As you ride through you can spot herds of deer within 3km of the city centre. Our accommodation tonight is in the city centre so that you have the opportunity to experience the buzz of the vibrant capital city.

After breakfast your cycling tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.

PRICE & DETAILS

Price & Schedule

INDEPENDENT TOUR

DEPARTURE DATES:

This tour starts daily from May through September, except on escorted tour start dates

- 7 nights in excellent quality, small family run guesthouses and B & B's; all rooms with private facilities.

- Breakfast each day

- One dinner

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

- Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.

- 21 speed Giant Escape 3 hybrid bike with pannier.

Price & Schedule

ESCORTED TOUR

DEPARTURE DATES:

July 7

- 7 nights in excellent quality, small family run guesthouses and B & B's, all rooms with WC and shower.

- Substantial breakfast each day

- One dinner

- Professional tour guide at your disposal each evening, in an accompanying van during the day.

- Daily tour discussion in the morning

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel

- Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.

- 21 speed Trek hybrid bike with pannier, mudguards & water bottle.

MODERATE: There are a number of hills on this route but you have all day to do the cycling. The van is always there should you have any problems. There is an option each day for a variety of longer route and will be indicated by the guide. With the exception of the roads in and out of Dublin, the traffic on the route should be quite light.

The nearest international airport is Dublin.

Escorted Tour

Our escorted bicycle tours include all services provided to our “Individual” riders, as well as the following additional services:

- Tour Escort, well familiar with the region, with a van.

- Daily personal tour introduction.

- Opportunity to ride in the van should your legs get tired.

- By common consent the tour companion organises sightseeing and picnics.

- Entrance fees and guided sightseeing are (partly) included in the price.