The Clare/Galway tour that Paul McQuaid put together 7 years ago is now famous. It was Celtic Trails’ first ever tour and has remained largely unchanged since, quite simply spectacular.

Look forward to the Cliffs of Moher, Golleen Bay, Loop Head, (one of the nicest stretches of road in the country), and of course Renvyle House, The Bog Road between Cashel and Clifden, and a host of other amazing sights. Of the three tours this one is the least difficult. The ‘undulations’ are quite gentle and the roads would be the easiest to ride.

Day 2
We have a short bus ride this morning up to the far side of Galway. Reason is simple – Galway is a big city and not very nice to cycle through. So we have a rendezvous point just the far side and from the moment we start cycling you will be on tiny, scenic, and very safe roads. Our first spin is out to a town called Clifden. A lively wee spot. Along the way we ride on some of the most remote roads imaginable. We are along the coast for much of the ride and to say it is spectacular would be an understatement. Celtic Trails take the coast road pretty much all day, left at Derryrush to Kilieran Bay. Left again at Toombeola to Roundstone. And finish today’s ride by cycling past the landing spot of the very first ever west-east Atlantic crossing – The Alcock & Brown sight. I remember Steve’s wife, Jane, (from Georgia) telling me last year when we arrived into Clifden and parked our bikes up against King’s pub, ‘Paul there are simply no words to describe how beautiful that ride was’. I told her it got even nicer. She didn’t believe me. I told her I wasn’t kidding.

Day 3
Renvyle today. And we stay at none other than Renvyle House. Set right on the beach this place never fails to please our guests. It is also haunted so take that into consideration…. All riders leave Clifden at around 10ish and head west out what has been described in a recent article in the biggest cycle magazine in the World as, ‘the second most beautiful road in the World to ride’. (Not a bad compliment) – The Sky Road. A 12 mile loop that leaves Clifden, heads around the coast and comes back to Clifden via ‘Kill’ and one beautiful harbor. Then we leave Clifden and head down to Recess via one of the Bog Roads, (simple stunning), left through Lough Inagh Valley and left again towards Kylemore Abbey. Kylemore was built in the 1800s and is now one of the most exclusive girls schools in Europe. We will have lunch either on the lake, depending on the weather, or in the Abbey. Either way, look forward to it. After lunch we head out the peninsular to Renvyle and the road is just amazing. Twisty, gentle undulations and you’ll see more sheep and donkeys than cars.

Day 4
When you get to Renvyle you will understand why we stay here two days. That’s all I’m going to say on that topic. So for today some people like to relax, some like to swim in the heated outdoor pool, some like to swim in the not-heated outdoor Atlantic Ocean. Some like a round of golf. And some like to sit by the fire that burns the turf you’ll be cycling by 365 days a year. Others like to go for a ride. And for those that do we have a nice wee one on this day for you.

Day 5
Lots of people have told us today’s ride is the nicest, (even Jane…). We ride along the coast to Leenane and it will just blow you away. Killary Harbour, on the way into Leenane was once the mooring point for the whole British Atlantic fleet as it is the only fjord on the west coast of Ireland or England. Now it is full of lobster pots, which we much prefer to battle ships! Our destination today is the village of Cong where the movie ‘The Quiet Man’ starring John Wayne was filmed. We stay right in the center so a wee walk down to the heritage center is recommended. It’s in the village of Leenane that wechange direction, we head left, up by Aasleagh Falls and Doolough Pass. Once again it is hard to put into words just how beautiful this road is. This takes us around by Sheefrey Wood and back to Leenane, where we turn right again and head down through the Maamturk Mountains and along the lakes to Cong. Amazing ride.

Day 6
We have another short transfer this morning for the same reason as on day 2. Our starting point is in the very picturesque village of Kinvara, right on the edge of Galway Bay. Our spin today is 90% coastal, right around Galway Bay and then down the coast of County Clare to Lisdoonvarna. We stay in the Carrigan hotel tonight. Look forward to dinner. Did I mention that the stretch of road from Black Head down to Doolin has been described by none other than Conde Naste travel magazine as one of the top 10 most beautiful roads in the World to ride…. Again, not a bad compliment. Oh and we also have a small matter of the Cliffs of Moher for you today. Need I say more? The cliffs are serious business and many have said that they were the highlight of their trip.

Day 7
Our last spin takes us from Ballyvaughan out the coast road along Galway Bay, south to the cliffs of Moher, Ennistymon, (look forward to Eugene’s pub. Quite probably one of the coolest wee pubs in the country. Although there are quite a few, ‘coolest wee pubs in the country). On down along the coast past Spanish Point, (where a lot of the ships from the Spanish Armada went down), Kilkee, and then the highlight – Loop Head & Carrigaholt. An amazing road.

Day 8
We will take you to the airport at whatever time you need for your flight home.