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You begin in Killarney, a lively town of colorful
craft shops and jolly pubs. Your adventure is ahead
of you. The romantic lakes of Killarney National Park,
the rugged ice carved glens, the magnificent views
over the Atlantic Ocean, the surf crashing in the
sun of Dingle Bay, the tempting froth of a Guinness…
Come
and discover the eternal beauty of this land, full
of history and legend. |
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Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday |
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Suggested Routing
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Please
be advised that one of the benefits of this independent
cycling tour is that you are able to modify the routes
to fit your cycling skill level and adjust distances
at your discretion. Due to the flexible nature of
this tour it is important that you have the contact
numbers with you at all times in the event a situation
arises where you need assistance. An international
cell phone is highly recommended. |
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Tour Details
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8
days (Saturday - Saturday)
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Cost
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May,
June & September: €470
July & August: €525
Single Supplement:
7 Days: €110
14 Days: €220
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Included
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Cross
Country Bicycle
Pannier Bag, Handlebar Bag
O/S Map 1:250,000 scale
Route information
Daily luggage transfer
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Accomodations
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Carefully
selected B&B's, guesthouses and small family run
hotels
Twin rooms with bathroom ensuite
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Meals Included
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Irish
Breakfast daily
Packed lunches available (supplement of 5 euro per
day)
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Route Information
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Well
paced route with some challenging climbs.
Average 35 - 50kms per cycling day
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Killarney - Cillairne (church of sloe) population
7,253
PLACES TO VISIT
Ross Castle
The Castle was built in the 14th Century by the O'Donoghue
chieftains, it was the last castle in Muster (the
province) to hold out against Cromwells army. General
Ludlow captured it in 1652 to 1815 it was used as
a military post. In the last two decades the castle
has been completely renovated. From the castle there
are some great views of the lakes. Waterboats are
available for trips out to the lakes from behind Ross
Castle. A 30 minute trip should cost around £5 per
head. You can also hire your own rowing boats from
here.
Muckross House
Muckross House is one of the most beautifully situated
stately homes in Ireland. It was built in 1843 and
is a magnificent Victorian mansion and of Irelands
stately homes. It is set amidst the spectacular scenery
of Killarney National Park. The fine, elegantly furnished
rooms portray the lifestyles of the landed gentry,
while below the stairs reveal the working conditions
of the servants. In 1910 William Bourn a wealthy Californian
mine owner bought the houses and gardens for his daughter
as a wedding present. Maud Vincent died in 1929 and
her husband Arthur Vincent gave the house and surrounding
11,000 acres to the Irish nation as its first National
Park.
Muckross Traditional Farms
In the grounds of Muckross is an exiting outdoor representation
of the lifestyle and farming conditions of a rural
community of the 1930's.Three separate working farms,
complete with animals, poultry and traditional farm
machinery vividly recreate the past. Muckross Traditional
Farms take the visitor down memory lane to a time
before electricity. This is not a museum but a real
life community of artisans carrying out their daily
tasks all year round.
Killarney National Park
This 10,00 hectare park of mountains and woodlands
surrounds the famous Lakes of Killarney.the main attraction
is Muckross House but there are many other things
to do and see. There is Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall,
the only native herd of deer in Ireland, nature trails,
walking routes,craft workshops and an audio visual
show.
Kate Kearneys Cottage
Before the great famine, Kate Kearney was rewound
throughout the land for her great beauty.Being popular,
she made and sold Poitin, for which she became famous.
The cottage is picturesquely situated at the entrance
to the most beautiful glacier valley in Western Europe.
Nowadays, Kate Kearneys cottage is now a bar and restaurant.
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Killorglin -Cill Orglan (Orgla's church) population
1304
The town is situated on a hill overlooking the wide
and graceful Laune River. There are breathtaking views
to the south of the Macgillycuddy. Killorglin is the
scene of the famous Puck Fair in August. A large Billy
Goat bedecked with ribbons and rosettes is taken on
a lorry through the streets to the town centre. The
goat is made King Puck for the next two days ! Puck
commemorates an occasion when the stampeding of goats
gave a warning to locals of English forces approaching.
ROUTE 1
- Killarney - Beauford 13 kms
- Beauford - Killorglin 13 kms
In Brief
This cycle is an ideal cycle for your first day. The
road surface is excellent on small back roads. There
can be traffic on the first half of the route. ( Gap
of Dunloe) We recommend that you break your cycle
and go to visit the Gap of Dunloe. Allow 3 hours to
explore by foot. You can also take your bicycle or
even hire a pony. The road from Beauford to Killorglin
has less traffic. There are some restaurants and shops
in the Gap of Dunloe and Beauford so there is no need
to stock up on drinks. |
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Dingle - Daingean ui chuis (o'cush's fortress) population
1253
Dingle is the chief town on the peninsula and an excellent
touring centre. Lying at the foot of Dingle Harbour,
it is bounded on three sides by hills. Dingle was
the chief port of Kerry in the old Spanish trading
days, and in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I was important
enough to be a walled town.Visit Ventry and Slea Head
by bike on your free day. This area has many archaeological
remains, Beehive cells, souterrains, inscribed stones,
sculptured crosses, ring forts and fortified headlands.
•Off the shore of Slea Head is the groups of
seven islands and rocks known as the Blaskets. The
Great Blasket is the largest. It had a village settlement
at the north-east end. The inhabitants were moved
to the main land in 1953. There is an excellent visitors
centre on the mainland at Dun Chaoin with an audio-visual
show and exhibitions relating to the Blasket Islands.
ROUTE 1
- Killorglin - Milltown 6.4 kms
- Milltown - Castlemaine 3.2 kms
- Castlemaine - Booteens 3.2 kms
- Booteens - Inch 16 kms
- Inch - Lispole 17.6 kms
- Lispole - Dingle 9 kms
In Brief
A long cycle today with some steep climbs. All the
roads are well surfaced. The longest and most difficult
part of the cycle is from Inch to Lispole. Make sure
that you have some drinks with you. There is a wonderful
beach at Inch where you can swim to cool off on a
hot day. Begin the cycle early in the morning ( 9.00
hrs) to avoid traffic.
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Castlegregory ( gregory hoare, a 16th century chief
who built a castle here)
Castlegregory is a village at the base of a sandy
peninsula that separates the bays of Brandon and Tralee.
West of the village is Lough Gills, and beyond the
northern tip of the peninsula are the Seven Hogs or
Magharee Islands,. One of these, Illauntannig , has
the remains of an Early Christian monastery. A wall
surrounds the remains of two oratories, three beehives
cells and a small cross. You can hire boats at Fahamore
for trips to the islands.
ROUTE 1
- Dingle - Top of Conor Pass 6.5 kms
- Top of Connor Pass - Stradbally 13.6 kms
- Stradbally - Castlegregory 4 kms
In Brief
The first half of this cycle is uphill. You may need
to wheel your bicycle part of the way. There are no
shops until you reach Stradbally so we recommend that
you bring something to drink. Please ensure that your
brakes are working correctly before leaving Dingle
as there are some steep decents. The cycling however
is not difficult and should only take 3 hours maximum. |
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Tralee = Traigh li (beach of the river lee) population
17206
Tralee is the home of SIAMSA TIRE, the National Folk
Theatre of Ireland which was founded in 1974 to project
Irish traditional customs, songs and dance through
the theatre. The design of the new theatre is based
on the 2000 year old Irish stone fort at Staigue (
Dingle)
Tralee was at one time the chief seat of the Desmond
Family. Their castle stood in Denny Street. The Dominicans
were brought to Tralee in 1243 by John, Earl of Desmond
and in the old Dominican grounds 13 Earls are buried.
The story of the Desmond Geraldines is told in the
‘ Medieval Experience’ a show in Ashe
Memorial Hall. It also houses an exhibition on the
Anglo-Normans, their arrival in Ireland and settlements
in Kerry.
Roger Bresnahan, born in Tralee in 1881. became one
of the most famous baseball players of his time in
the USA. He invented the Shinguards and was the first
to wear them in 1907.
ROUTE 1
- Castlegregory - Camp 9 kms
- Camp - Blennerville 13 kms
- Blennerville - Tralee 4 kms
In Brief
A short cycle along a busy road. Todays cycle is the
least interesting route of the holiday. However we
recommend that you visit Blennerville. Please cycle
with caution on this route. There is no other option
available from Castlegregory to Tralee.
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ROUTE 1
Tralee - Castlemaine 18.4 kms
Castlemaine - Milltown 2.7 kms
Milltown - Aghadoe 13.4 kms
Aghadoe - Killarney 3 kms
In Brief
A great cycle for your last day. There are some
steep climbing as you are leaving Tralee but then
the road levels out. There should not be much traffic
on this road as it is not the main Tralee - Killarney
road. There are plenty of stops for drinks. Take
your time today as this route should be taken at
a gentle pace. We have included a small diversion
just as you approach Killarney. We recommend that
you take this as there are wonderful views that
you cannot see from any other viewing point.
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