Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way Motorcycle Tour

Day 2 – Trim to Kinsale (365km)

• The Lemonrock team will meet you at your hotel first thing after breakfast.
• Bike orientation – We take time to make sure you are comfortable on your bike, have the correct riding gear and understand the routes on our Sat Navs. It’s good to get to us early as this will take the best part of 2 hours.
• Your route will take you through the Wicklow mountains, which is a favorite destination for local Dublin bikers.  There are plenty of good gastro pubs and restaurants to stop off at for lunch.  We will include several good recommendations in your road book.
• We have an alternative shorter option which takes you down through the midlands and stops off for coffee in a country house manor before making time up on the motorway and stopping off to see the Rock of Cashel. 
• The final leg of the journey takes you south westward to Kinsale.
• Kinsale in the Gourmet capital of Ireland – a seaside fishing town, with rich history and French influenced culture. An amazing array of restaurants are available for a diverse range of tastes!
• You will overnight in a boutique hotel right in the centre of Kinsale.

Day 3 – Kinsale to Killarney (242km) 

• The Wild Atlantic Way officially begins in Kinsale, and today you’ll ride the Haven Coast. 
• Today’s ride is enchanting and spectacular which we hope will leave you with indelible memories of your trip to Ireland.
• Leaving Kinsale, we’ll skirt some beautiful coastal towns and villages, join the Wild Atlantic Way. You will pass through beautiful villages such as Glandore, Baltimore, Skibbereen, Crookhaven before riding the Healey Pass on Beara Peninsula – the first of the 3 Peninsulas.
• Overnight in Killarney, Co. Kerry. Killarney is a bustling town and has a superb choice of entertainment. 
• Accommodation – luxurious 4 star accommodation at The Brehon.

Day 4  – Ring of Kerry (246km)

• The Ring of Kerry – Your route starts out on the famous Ring of Kerry, which is a “must do” on every visitors list while in the South West of Ireland. We ride the Ring in a clockwise direction so that you ride with the sea on your left and in the opposite direction of the coaches – it’s the perfect way to see the Ring of Kerry!
• Your route will take you through Killarney National Park, through Molls Gap before taking the route to Sneem.
• Riding with Kenmare Bay on your left, you’ll pass through Parknasilla and then we divert up to see Staigue Fort. Back onto the ring for Coomakista Pass which offers fantastic views over Kenmare Bay.
• The Skellig Ring scenic drive starts in Waterville and takes in the wonderful Valentia Island accessed by bridge from the picturesque Portmagee and Ballinskelligs.
• Valentia Island – The Valentia Island Tetrapod Footprints are the most extensive of the four Devonian trackways in the world. Riding down the island you’ll reach Knightstown where you can take a short ferry ride to Reenard Point back onto the mainland – with options for excellent lunch breaks in either town.
• Cahirsiveen, Mountain Stage, Kells Bay, Glenbeigh – these are famous parts of The Ring of Kerry. You can switch off your intercoms and enjoy the spectacular views in silence!
• Dingle – Truly a gem of a town! Dingle is famous for its pubs and music night life and Fungi the dolphin! Our optional rest day stay’s a second night in Dingle. There’s lots to see and do!
• Overnight in Dingle, Co. Kerry (4 star)

Day 5 – Dingle to Co. Clare (300km)

• Slea Head – Start early as this route is very popular with tourists!  The Slea Head Drive is a circular route beginning and ending in Dingle, that takes in stunning views on the western end of the peninsula.
• The Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland, and provides the most dramatic and scenic way of entering or leaving Dingle. This narrow, twisting road runs between the town of Dingle and Kilmore Cross on the north side of the peninsula on through Castlegregory. It’s a lovely biking route but take time to stop and look back at the views! You’ll pass through Blennerville which was the main port of emigration from Co. Kerry to North America during the Great Famine.
• Tarbert to Killimer Ferry – We prefer this route instead of riding up through Adare and Limerick, which we will see on the way home. You cross the Shannon Estuary leaving Kerry and crossing into Co. Clare. Here you will appreciate one of the many wonders of the Wild Atlantic Way, with ever changing scenery.
• The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction with a magical vista that captures the hearts of one million visitors every year and are a Signature Discovery Point in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way. They stretch for 8km as the crow flies, along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland and reach 214m (702 feet) at their highest point. Evening is the best time to view the Cliffs, in our experience, as the sun sets west over the Atlantic.
• Time permitting, a visit to Blackhead Lighthouse – more noteworthy for the moon like landscape which slopes down to the Atlantic than for the lighthouse itself, it’s a serene spot to savour.
• The Burren National Park – The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. You can spend hours riding around here – its landscape is very different to other parts of the Wild Atlantic Way. We like to visit the Burren Smokehouse (it’s not what you think!) 
• Overnight in Ballyvaughan or Kinvarra, (depending on hotel availability). This is a very busy spot (and deservedly so!) in high season. So we often have to juggle between hotels to accommodate all our guests. We do the stressing so you don’t have to!
• 3 star accommodation

Day 6 – Co. Clare to Westport (320km)

• Ballyvaughan / Kinvarra to Westport
• The ride today goes through Galway City before heading out into Connemara, which is in Co. Mayo and is a quintessentially Irish part of Ireland!
• Roundstone, Connemara – it’s a very picturesque village by the sea, and have a great selection of restaurants and gourmet food pubs.
• Spectacular views are available from the Atlantic Sky Road which is a must see
• Kylemore Abbey – Definitely worth a visit- Kylemore Castle was built in the late 1800s by Mitchell Henry MP, a wealthy business man and liberal politician. Inspired by his love for his wife Margaret, and his hopes for his beloved Ireland, Henry created an estate boasting ‘all the innovations of the modern age’. An enlightened landlord and vocal advocate of the Irish people, Henry poured his life’s energy into creating an estate that would showcase what could be achieved in the remote wilds of Connemara. Today Kylemore Abbey is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence here since 1920.
• Riding next along Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord before heading northwards along the Doolough Pass, bringing you into the town of Westport.
• Visit to Matt Molloy’s pub, in Westport – Matt Molly is a member of the famous Chieftains – where live traditional musicians play 7 nights a week in an authentic intimate setting. Not to be missed!
• Overnight in Westport, Co. Mayo (3 star) Westport is a regular winner of Ireland Tidiest Town and is truly a gem to visit.

Day 7 – Westport to Sligo (367km)

• Newport nestles on the shore of Clew Bay which is famous for its 365 Islands and is a pleasant seaside resort and part of an attractive and unspoiled coastline.
• Mulraney – acclaimed as Ireland’s best small tourist town, a European Destination of Excellence – it is a superb stop for taking a walk on the beach and enjoying the spectacular views.
• Achill Island – Achill has a long history of human settlement and there is evidence that Achill was inhabited as many as 5,000 years ago. Megalithic tombs and promontory forts testifying to this can be seen at Slievemore, along the Atlantic Drive and on Achill Beg Island.
• Kildamhnait Castle is a 15th century tower house associated with the O’ Malley Clan, who were once a ruling family of Achill. Grace O’ Malley, or Granuaile, the most famous of the O’ Malley’s was born in Clare Island around 1530. Her father was the chieftain of the barony of Murrisk. The O’Malleys were a powerful sea faring family, who traded widely and refused to submit to English rule. Grace became a fearless leader and gained fame as a sea captain and pirate.
• Ballina, situated on the famous River Moy, is Mayo’s largest town.
• Enniscrone – There are 5km of safe, clean golden beaches. For eight decades people have come to bathe in hot sea water and seaweed renowned for its therapeutic qualities. 
• Overnight in a quirky thatched roof bar and restaurant by the sea.

Day 8 – Sligo to Trim (246km)

• Mountain pass to Easky Lough – this route brings you through one of the more remote parts of Ireland, with only the occasional sheep to keep you company. The road cuts through the Ox mountains and brings you back to nature. A great way to start your day!
• Swinford to Castlebar has some nice biking roads where you can enjoy the traffic free bends and enjoy the bike.
• Your route will take you through East Galway through the midlands.
• Stop of in Glassan in Co. Westmeath which has two excellent gastro pubs for lunch and then ride the last leg back to Trim on some lovely riding roads.
• Your last night will be in Trim, Co. Meath where you can meet up with the Lemonrock team and share your tales of adventure!

Chauffeur transfer to Dublin Airport for flight home. Alternatively, you can choose to have your car take you to Dublin city if you are planning on visiting the capital city for a day or two.