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This holiday experiences all types of scenery. There
are coastal routes and more challenging inland mountain
routes, cutting through the 'heart' of Kerry. Whilst
there is some steep climbing on this route it is greatly
rewarded with up to 15kms of downhill freewheeling
with views of the Atlantic waves crashing against
the coastline between Cahirciveen and Sneem. The Kenmare
road to Killarney descends through breath-taking views
of the famous Lakes of Killarney, islands studded
and wooded shoreline. There is no need for pedalling
from Molls Gap on the last day of cycling just sit
back and enjoy the scenery. |
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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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Accommodations
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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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This
is a well paced route with some steep climbs.
Average 30 - 45 km per 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
Killarney National Park is a unique and special place.
It was Ireland's first National Park and came into
being in 1932 when the Muckross Estate (the core of
the present day National Park) was presented to the
Nation by Senator Arthur Vincent and his parents-in-law
Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn, in memory of his
late wife Maud.
The National Park covers over 25,000 acres (10,000
hectares) of mountain, moorland, woodland, waterways,
parks and gardens. A major geological boundary occurs
within the Park, and this, in combination with the
climatic influence of the gulf stream and the wide
range of altitudes in the Park, gives rise to an unusual
and varied ecology.
The mountainous old red sandstone uplands support
large areas of blanket bog, and the remoteness and
relative inaccessibility of some of these areas aids
the continued survival of Ireland's only remaining
wild herd of native Red Deer. In addition to this,
the largest area of old-growth Oakwoods left in the
country can be found on some of the lower mountain
slopes, a remnant of the woodland that once covered
much of Ireland. |
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Glencar is situated at the entrance to a horseshoe
of mountains where the Behy River flows into Dingle
Bay, Glenbeigh nestles at the foot of Seefin Mountains
(1,621 feet). Around Glenbeigh The mountain scenery
here is magnificent, and the circuit of the hills
from Seefin to Drung Hill, called the "Glenbeigh
Horse-shoe", is one of Kerry's finest mountain
walks. A feature of the circuit is the series of glacial
corries and lakes which lie at the head of the Behy
valley. There is trout fishing on Lough Coomasaharn,
the largest of the lakes, and the Behy River. From
Glenbeigh it is 3 miles (5km) via the Windy Gap, Blackstones
Bridge and the course of the Caragh River, with lovely
scenery all the way, to the angling and climbing centre
of Glencar. Caragh Lake is a beautiful expanse of
water 4 miles (6km) long, set among broom and heather-covered
hills with majestic mountains in the background. |
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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
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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