Day 2  – 23rd August 2023

Ride to Dublin Port and join ferry to the Isle of Man.

Overnight for 7 consecutive nights in a Douglas 4 star hotel, ideally located on the main promenade. You’ll be smack bang in the centre of all the Manx GP excitement. 

Practice starts on the day you arrive on the island and racing begins Friday 25th.

As roads are open during non race days, you will have plenty of time to explore the island and ride the famous TT course.

The racing schedule is set to commence on Sunday 20th August climaxing on Monday 28th August.  The 29th is set aside as a contingency day to allow for possible delays in the race  calendar due to weather etc..

This will most likely give you a free day to explore the island on 29th before taking the next available ferry on August 30th to Ireland.

Day 9  – 30th August

• As the ferry arrives back in Ireland in the morning, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the ride west for your tour along the the Wild Atlantic Way.
• Stop off for lunch at Seans Bar – Ireland oldest pub!
• Overnight in Westport

Day 10  – 285 Km

• The Surf Coast (220 km)

  • 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 the seaside town of Enniscrone

Day 10 –(220 km)

• • Heading East towards Sligo town up through Strandhill where you can stop for a nice coffee or an ice cream.
  • Onwards with the Atlantic Ocean in view towards Ballyshannon and Donegal Town.
  • Take the time to visit Slieve League, noted as being the highest sea cliffs in Ireland over 600m sheer drop into the ocean.
  • Follow the coast road onwards to Glencolumbkille and Glengesh Pass, which is Donegal’s answer to the Stelvio Pass, except more beautiful!
  • The route takes you up as far as Gweedore and into Glenveagh National Park

• Departing from Donegal, you’re riding north to the Innisowen Peninsula, which is home to the most northerly part of Ireland – Malin Head.
• We’re taking the eastern side of  the peninsula and meeting the short ferry to Greencastle. The ferry will take you into Northern Ireland where the speed signs are now in Miles per Hour – so be warned! You’ll also need some Sterling currency for your few days in Northern Ireland.
• The coast road takes you over to Portstewart and Portrush, home to the famous North West 200 Road Races – you’ll be riding on the famous circuit, but mind your speed!
• You are right beside the Giants Causeway and the very spectacular Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which you can cross.
• Next on the route is a visit to the iconic Dark Hedges, which is so famously featured in “Game of Thrones”.
• Head back northeast to Ballycastle, which brings you through winding country roads until you join the coast road at Cushendall.
• The next 30 or so miles will have you riding along the wonderful Antrim coast road where on a clear day you can see across to Scotland, which is only 25 miles across the Irish sea.
• Stay in Belfast

Day 13 – 265km – Northern Ireland to Trim 

• Today’s ride will bring you back cross the border towards Carlingford Lough.
• You’ll loop back on the peninsula and after a short run on the motorway, you’ll head west inland. We’re departing the coastline for a while to sample some of the quieter country roads of the northeast midlands.
• We’ve picked out some nice riding routes which will bring you through Shercock and on down into the picturesque village of Moynalty.
• From here we have selected another twisty riding road which brings you through Kells and into Slane. Slane is famous for its concerts at Slane Castle and its whiskey.
• The road follows the Boyne Valley into Navan and we take a slight detour to the Hill of Tara. It contains a number of ancient monuments, and, according to tradition, was the seat of the High King of Ireland.
• Back onto the Boyne Valley until you arrive at the heritage town of Trim, where you will spend your final night. Trim is home to Ireland’s earliest and one of Europe’s largest Norman Castles. This castle featured in the movie, Braveheart – you can ask some of the locals in the pubs if they starred in the movie!

• Overnight in Trim in 4 star hotel

Depart

Enjoy breakfast in Trim Castle Hotel before packing up for the return home. We can organise your airport transfer to Dublin Airport, a short 45 minutes from Trim town. 

If you wish to extend your stay in Ireland and visit Dublin city, we will organize your transfer to your chosen hotel.