Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way Motorcycle Tour

Day 2 – 259 Km – Overnight Kenmare

• 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.
• Head south past the Lakes of Killarney on the Muckross Road. As LemonRock is situated right on the Ring of Kerry, it will be only minutes before you are witnessing the most fabulous sights!
• Ladies View – Needs to be seen to be believed, even on dull days, this is a world class vantage point. The hilltop at the second car park commands the view much admired by Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting, when they visited here in 1861, hence the name Ladies’ View.
• Molls Gap – Mountain roads twisting through the hills and countryside. The rocks at Moll’s gap are formed of Old Red Sandstone.
• Ring of Beara – We have chosen this peninsula first as it is very remote and quiet leaving you time to get fully acquainted with your bike and not being distracted by traffic. The Caha and Healey passes are truly magnificent and the Priest’s Leap is another spectacular pass for the more adventurous solo rider.
• Overnight in  Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Kenmare is a bustling town and has a superb choice of restaurants to cater for all tastes. Watch out for the “Session Trail Pubs” which host live traditional music and are free for all to enjoy.
• Accommodation – Friendly 3 Star  accommodation right in Kenmare town centre.

Day 3  – 220 Km – approx – Overnight Dingle

• 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!
• 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!
• Killorglin – Home to the famous annual Puck Fair. Puck Fair, (‘poc’ being the Irish for a male goat) is one of Ireland’s oldest fairs. The “Queen of Puck”, traditionally a young school girl from one of the local primary schools, crowns the goat “King Puck“. It takes place each August 10th. The goat is released unharmed!
• 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 4  – 285 Km – Overnight Doolin/Ballyvaughan

• 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.
• Overnight in Doolin 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 5 – 250 / 280 Km – Overnight Westport

• Ballyvaughan / Doolin to Westport
• 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!) and the set location for Fr. Ted, where Mrs. Doyle lookalikes still serve cups of tea!  Ah go on, go on, go on!!
• Roundstone, Connemara – it’s a very picturesque village by the sea, and have a great selection of restaurants and gourmet food pubs.
• 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 6 – 220 Km – Overnight Aughris Head, Sligo

• 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.  Look out for the eclectic glamping village which plans to offer quirky accommodation in a range of vehicles, including London Taxis or 747 jet!
• Overnight in Beach Bar Guesthouse. Evening dinner included at the Beach Bar.

Day 7 – 268 Km – Overnight Galway City

• 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.
• Louisburgh – a charming seaside town, marking the beginning of yet another stunning ride into Connemara.
• Doolough Pass in Connemara – A world renowned fishery and spectacular views make this a super riding route. Stop off to visit the famine memorial monument. It serves as a reminder of the Great Famine which occurred in Ireland during the mid 19th century, marking one of the most tragic periods in Irish history. The memorial itself is a plain stone cross engraved with the words ‘Doolough Tragedy 1849’.
• Clew Bay has, according to tradition, 365 islands, one for every day of the year. It’s probably the most beautiful bay in Ireland, and the views of it from all around Westport are spectacular. Most of the islands in the bay are are uninhabited, although a few brave souls cling to the age-old tradition of living on a small island all year round.
• Killary Harbour  located in Leenane, Connemara, Co. Galway, is Ireland’s only fjord. It forms a partial border between counties Galway and Mayo. It is 16 kilometres long and in the centre it is over 45 metres deep.
• 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.
• Overnight in Galway City (4 star)

Day 8 – 267 Km – Overnight Killarney

• Ennis – The ride home from Galway is quite relaxed with a small stretch of motorway which you’ll probably have all to your self down as far as Ennis
• Tarbert Ferry – Back across the River Shannon by ferry, down through Killorglin until we turn off for the valleys and mountains!
• Ballagh Beama Gap – Ballaghbeama Pass cuts across the mountains in the centre of the Iveragh Peninsula and offers an isolated but breathtaking alternative route to the Ring of Kerry, with remarkably little traffic. This gives the sheep free reign of the landscape! Their is a beautiful flowing stream that flow’s from a higher point on the South near the stunning area that is Ballagh Beama. It is located between Blackwater and Glencar with stunning view’s on either side of this mountainous region. It really does capture the imagination which makes it a must for any photography enthusiast.
• Strawberry Field Pancakes – a treat awaits those who stop here – famed for its pancakes and indeed a variety of freshly served food.
• Gap of Dunloe – an iconic Irish landmark – The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass forged between the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain by glacial flows. The river running through the gap is the river Loe from where the Gap gets it’s name. The Gap begins at Kate Kearney’s Cottage. The road, narrow in many places, winds through the pass and descends into The Black Valley passing five lakes, Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake and Black Lough. Within easy walking distance from Kate Kearney’s cottage is a picturesque old bridge known as the ‘Wishing Bridge’. It is said that wishes made here really do come true!
• Kate Kearney’s Cottage – It was at this síbín (an illegal unlicensed Irish pub) that Kate distilled her famous poitín, ‘Kate Kearney’s Mountain Dew’, which was “very fierce and wild, requiring not less than seven times its own quantity of water to tame and subdue it.” It was of course illicit. However, Kate flouted the law and invited the weary traveller to partake of her hospitality
• Return Bikes to LemonRock
• Overnight in The Brehon (4 star) – relax in the complimentary vitality suite, which includes a pool with hydro therapy jets, an herb sauna, a crystal steam room, an ice fountain, a tropical shower and a kubledusche.  Or consider booking ahead for a spa treatment in the Brehon’s Angsana Spa – a treat to end your week!

Transported back to your Airport for flight home. Depending on time of flight, you may have time for shopping in Killarney or relaxing in the excellent Angsana Spa in the Brehon.