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The tours take you around the lovely Ring of Kerry,
which is one of the most picturesque routes in Ireland,
and onto the Dingle Peninsula, a region of wonderful
scenic contrasts and one of the last strongholds of
the Gaelic language. The whole area is steeped in
ancient history and folklore; its green hills resonate
with the rhymes of past and present poets. |
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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 steep climbs.
Average 30 - 45kms 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
Glenbeigh - Gleann Beith (Birch Glen) Population 184
Near Glenbeigh is the ruin of Wynne's Folly, a castelled
mansion built By lord Headily Wynne in 1867. About
3kms from Glenbeigh Beach, under the shadow of Curra
Hill, miles Of sand beaches backed by dunes. At the
north end there is a stone tower, built in the nineteenth
Century as a guide landmark for ships entering Castlemaine
Harbour.
ROUTE 1 (recommended)
- Killarney -Clonne Pottery 19kms
- Cloone Pottery - Glencar 13kms
- Glencar - Glenbeigh 20kms
In Brief
A wonderful cycle for your first day. Stock up on
drinks for your journey, as there are very few shops
on route. This route travels on the main Ring of Kerry
road for 10kms and then takes back roads to Glencar.
There are some uphill cycling but it is not severe.
The road follows Caragh Lake from Glencar for 7kms.
You then join up with the main Ring of Kerry route
into Glenbeigh.
ROUTE 2
- Killarney - Killorglin 25kms
- Killorglin - Glenbeigh 18kms
In Brief
This route is shorter than Route 1 but with less spectacular
views. The cycling to Killorglin is on well surfaced
road with very few climbs.
From Killorglin route joins with the main Ring of
Kerry route.
There tends to be more traffic on this route. Please
proceed with caution from Killorglin. |
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Cahiriveen - Cathair Saidhghin (The stone of Sabina)
population 1310
PLACES TO VISIT
Skellig Experience, Valentia Island
Ferry available every 30 minutes from the bottom of
Renard Road. Interpretative Centre with exhibitions,
displays and a audio visual presentation, giving you
a insight into the historical significance of the
skelligh Island, situated off the Kerry Coast. There
are four main themes to the complex, a history of
the life and work of christian monks who inhabited
the Island of Skellig Michael in the 6th & 7th Centuries
a history of the Skellig lighthouse and information
about local marine life and the Island sea birds.
Lunches are available in the restaurant.
Valentia Island Heritage Museum
This museum is located in Knightstown old National
School. It is crammed with artifacts, reports and
photos from Valentia Local History.
Ric Barracks
This was once a police station, created after the
fenian rising of 1867 in order to suppress futher
such revolts. It was burned down during the civil
War of 1922, but has been restored into a complete
heritage centre. It describes many cultural and historical
aspects of South Kerry with exhibitions poortraying
the potato famine, the life of Daniel O'Connell 'The
Liberator' the royal Irish Constabulary and the military
struggle in Ireland.
ROUTE 1 (recommended long route)
- Glenbeigh-Glencar 21kms
- Glencar-Ballaghisheen 8kms
- Ballaghisheen - Cahirciveen 24kms
In Brief
This route cuts through the heart of Co, Kerry. This
route is quiet and it is unlikely that you will meet
much traffic. There are often cattle and sheep wandering
free in this area. The road for the first 8kms crosses
a bog and so the road is quite bumpy. There is a very
steep climb of 1kms up the Ballaghinheen Pass, we
recommend that you wheel your bicycle to the top.
The views from the top are breathtaking. Sit down
and relax for 30 minutes or so to appreciate the Kerry
Beauty. Surrounding you.
The cycle from the top of the Pass into Cahirciveen
is much easier. The first half of this cycle is back
along Lake Caragh to Glencar. You may have cycled
this route yesterday, however the cycling is wonderful
so it is well worth back tracking to Glencar.
ROUTE 2
- Glenbeigh-Cahirciveen (via Coast Road) 27kms
In Brief
An easy cycle along the Ring of Kerry. Bumpy road
with one steep climb. Views of the Dingle Peninsula
to your right and mountains to your left. Please proceed
with caution on this route as there is a lot of traffic
on this route during the summer months. We strongly
recommend that you cycle route 1. |
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Waterville - An Coirean (The Little Whirlpool) population
475
The town is on the eastern shore of Ballinskelligs
Bay, on a strip of land the separates the sea from
Lough Currane, one of the most beautiful lakes In
Ireland. The little Irish speaking village of Ballinskellighs
is charmingly situated on Ballinskelliigs Bay, its
attractions included boating bathing, fishing, and
fine coastal scenery. A beach outside the village
stretches for 6kms. A little to the west are the ruins
of an ancient castle of the Mc Carthy's, and of an
ancient abbey.
ROUTE 1
- Cahirciveen- Waterville 15kms
In Brief
The cycle to Waterville is an easy one on mainly flat
land in from the coast.
ROUTE 2 (recommended)
- Cahirciveen-Valentia Island-Portmagee-Waterville
=30kms
In Brief
The cycle today is an easy cycle. You can either take
the main route from Valentia Harbour to Portmagee
or allow yourself time to explore the island, before
heading back to Waterville. Boat trip to the skellings
are also available.
(Brochure is Attached)
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Sneem - An Tsnaidhm (The Knot ) population 309
PLACES TO VISIT
Derrynane Estate, Caherdaniel, Co, Kerry (Between
Waterville & sneem)
This house at Caherdaniel was once the home of Daniel
O'Connell, Known as the Liberator after his victorious
campaign for Catholic freedom in 1829. The house is
now a museum containing many fascinating gifts which
the Irish people bestowed on O'Connell. If you have
an interest in Irish History, you will find this museum
a delight. Staigue Fort , Castlecove ( Between Caherdaniel
& Sneem ) 4 kms from Castlecove on an unclassified
road off the main road, is one of the best preserved
of all Irish ancient structures. Staigue Fort is said
to be over 2500 years old , long before mortar came
into use, the quality of the stonework is very high.
The Staigue Fort Exhibition Centre offers an excellent
recreation of its history.
ROUTE 1
- Waterville - Caherdaniel 8kms
- Caherdaniel -Sneem 14.4kms
In Brief
There is a steep climb for 6kms from Waterville to
the top of the Coomakeste Pass and then downhil and
flat cycling from Caherdaniel to Sneem. There are
several pubs in Caherdaniel with a post office and
a telephone box which accepts coins and cards.
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Kenmare - An Neidin (The Little Nest) population 1,130
PLACES TO VISIT
Kenmare Heritage Centre
This Heritage Centre features an archaeological background
to the town, the effect of the potato famine and emigration.
The Kenmare Lace and Design Centre is located above
the Heritage Centre. There are lace making demonstrations.
Druids Circle
1.2kms from the town. This circle is a very interesting
relic of prehistoric times, consisting of 15 standing
stones forming a ring about 15 meters in diameter.
A large dolmen stands in the centre of the ring.
ROUTE 1
In Brief
This is the easiest cycle on the entire weeks holiday.
Stay in bed late in Sneem and take a nice leisurely
cycle to Kenmare or leave early and spend the day
in the busy town of Kenmare. The last 8kms is a gentle
uphill cycle.
ROUTE 2
- Sneem - Molls Gap - Kenmare
In Brief
This option takes you off the main roads with great
scenery. |
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