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The Best of the West
Days 1 - 2
Upon your arrival, we’ll whisk you to Cashel,
the ancient seat of Munster kings. Relax, acclimate, and pay
a visit to the Rock of Cashe–one of Ireland’s most
magnificent ecclesiastical sites, before our first banquet together.
• The following day, we pedal through lush farmland to
Kilmallock
by way of the impressive Cahir Castle and the fabled Glen of
Aherlow. We’ll reveal hidden field monuments and ancient
fortifications as we pass though the small villages that dot
this amazing landscape.
Days 3 - 4
On day three we reach Killarney,
a colorful town surrounded by richly forested mountains and
sparkling glacial lakes. The magnificent Killarney National
Park and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s tallest
peaks, form the backdrop for our two-night stay. • We’ve
arranged a day of exploration with an intoxicating array of
choices. Ride through the Gap of Dunloe; visit the palatial
Muckross House; hike part of the Kerry Way; boat across Lough
Leane; or combine more than one of these exciting possibilities!
Days 5 - 6
Breathtaking coastal scenes and the towering Slieve Mish Mountains
become the norm as we cycle on to Dingle
for our next two-night sojourn. The Dingle Peninsula is and
outdoor wonderland and a mother lode of ancient history from
beehive huts to Ogham stones. It’s also a well-known Gaeltacht,
a centre of Irish language and culture. • During your layover
you can ride around Slea Head with its fantastic ocean side
panoramas, set out in search of ancient monuments on a guided
hill walk, or simply unwind in one of Dingle’s lively pubs.
– There are more than 50 from which to choose!
Days 7 - 9
Conquer Connor Pass en route to our Victorian era lodgings in
the lovely seaside resort of Kilkee,
County Clare. With some of the finest coastal scenery anywhere
and a mighty reputation for traditional music and dance, Clare
is magic. • We pedal onward past the dramatic Cliffs of
Moher. Millions of years of geologic time are revealed as they
drop almost 700 vertical feet straight into the ocean. Then
we pause in Doolin,
a hotbed of traditional Irish music. There we’ll remain
two days in order to explore the Burren–a vast limestone
wonderland of megalithic forts and tombs, castles, caves, disappearing
lakes, and unique botanical life. Discover over 6,000 years
of history as you cycle around Black Head with sparkling ocean
panoramas everywhere you look.
Days 10 -12
Step back in time as we visit the legendary Aran Islands across
Galway Bay, where rough-hewn life has changed little over the
centuries. Inis Mór
is home to some of the finest examples of ancient Celtic stone
forts and early Christian churches found anywhere in the world.
• Returning to the mainland, we cruise into Connemara,
where the untamed beauty of majestic mountains and moors are
interwoven with ocean inlets, rivers and lakes. Awesome panoramas
seem endless, and the picturesque town of Clifden
is our next two-night stay. Memorable stops on our ramble through
this magnificent region include Connemara National Park and
the neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey.
Days 13 - 15
Making our way toward Galway, the mountains of Connemara give
way to “Joyce’s Country” where lovely loughs
lie in ancient glens amidst more towering peaks. Small lanes
along on the shores of Lough Mask and Lough Corrib lead us
to Cong, principal film locale
for The Quiet Man. (Our own home place overlooks Lough Mask
a few miles away.) From there it’s a short journey to
our destination, a comfortable bed and breakfast in the heart
of Galway’s
city centre, for a two-night stay. • Spend a day in Galway,
Ireland’s loveliest city, exploring the city’s narrow
streets and Old World charm prior to our farewell celebration.
A sumptuous feast (one of many) and a lively night on the
town are a fitting finale to your stay in this magical land. •
After breakfast we’ll see you safely to Shannon for your
final departure or on to your next adventure. As always, you’ll
receive our heart-felt “Slan Abhaile,” and depart
knowing that you have just experienced the best of the west
in Eire!
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