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 Heather along the way |
Guided Connemara Senior Biking Tour - supported and interestingDURATION: 8 days (7 nights) LEVEL: easy GROUP SIZE: individuals ACCOMMODATION: Comfortable Hotels BICYCLE: adjustable lightweight hybrid bicycles (Cannondale) MEALS: 7 dinners, 7 Irish breakfasts TRANSFERS: Van Support throughout Tour Guide: Irish guide with personality MISCELLANEOUS: detailed route notes and maps
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 Clifden Castle  Kylemore Abbey |
Daily itinerary:Day 1Arrive Shannon Airport, and transfer to Roundstone, a small picturesque fishing village. Roundstone is famous among artists due to its harbour with the Twelve Ben mountain range as backdrop. Warm welcome and chance to settle in. You will be met by our guide and van-driver who will allocate bikes and equipment, and help setting everything for you. Day 2 We start with a bicycling safety and touring workshop. The route will bring us over the bog-road (with very little traffic) to the town of Clifden, often labelled the metropole of Connemara. A botanist/archeologist will explain the importance of Roundstone Bog, a heaven for rare and unusual bog plants, as well as megalitihic remains. Day 3 Biking the Skye road, past the ruin of Clifden Castle, we will learn about the history of Clifden (not an old town for Ireland). Continuing on to Claddaghduff and Omey Island, where excavations revealed an important monastic church and grave yard - field study with archeologist. Transfer by mini-bus to Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord, where you will be staying for the next two nights. Evening slide-show and lecture by Jamie Young, sailor and adventurer. Day 4 Change of activity to walking along the famine track, built in the years of the Great Famine as relief work scheme to supply some much needed employment for the once extensive local population. Field studies about the Great Famine and its effects. In the afternoon short cycle to Kylemore Abbey, the palace of the West, built by a rich Manchester business man for his beloved wife. Today it is home to Benedictine Nuns, who have lovingly restored the Victorian walled gardens, as well as Neo-gothic chapel. Day 5 In the morning mini-bus transfer close to Louisburgh, from there it is an easy cycle (16km) along Clew Bay into Westport. Along the way visit of Murrisk Abbey, Famine monument, and lecture about Croagh Patrick. The cone shaped mountain is one of Ireland’s most revered and important mountain, in that St Patrick spent 30 days fasting and praying on it. The last Sunday in July is the date for the annual pilgrimage. Lecture about the life of the Irish patron saint. Day 6 Visit of Westport House, a Georgian mansion built by James Wyatt, before the cycling continues into the lush green rolling country side of Co. Mayo. The night will be spent in Kiltimagh a Colourful, typical small Irish town. Day 7 The Co. Roscommon town of Boyle is today's target, where the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey (founded 1161) are a major attraction. The ruins still convey an impression of the original splendor of this richly endowed foundation closely associated with the great abbey of Mellifont (guided exploration). Visit of Lough Key Forest Park. Stay the night in hotel in Boyle. Day 8 Depart for Shannon airport.
For details and prices of our tours log onto the new website www.killarytours.com | |
Killary Tours Leenane, Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland | ||