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The Great Irish Pub Ride 2008
May 28 to June 7
 This year's ride will offer
us an opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful areas of Ireland. We will begin our
tour in the lively town of Killarney. For the next five days we'll bike west around the
Ring of Kerry and gradually work our way up to the Dingle Peninsula. After three days in
Dingle we'll head back to Shannon and return to the U.S. or other planned destinations.
Day
1-3
Depart the U.S. for Shannon Airport.
Arrive Shannon, transfer to Killarney. A two hour drive will take us to the lively town of
Killarney, population 8,000. Killarney is located in the southwestern corner of Ireland,
with its three famous lakes reflecting the ever-changing skies above the great mountain
ranges. Killarney has been the inspiration of poets and painters for many centuries, and
now it is also a thriving commercial and tourist center. Considered by many to be too
touristy, it will allow us time to get our rental bikes and recover from our jet lag. The
food and singing pubs are at their best here. The following day we'll take an optional
ride in and around the village and check out some of Killarneys' historical sights: St.
Mary's Cathedral, Franciscan Friary, Deenack Lodge (thatched cottage), Ross Castle,
Muckross Abbey, Killegy Church, etc.
Day 4
Killarney to Sneem. Today we'll start
our bike tour around the Ring of Kerry. From Killarney we'll take the famous boats from
the Lakes of Killarney to the Gap of Dunloe. The views of the lakes and the Killarney
National Park are spectacular from the Lake and the Gap. Our final destination for the day
will take us to the village of Sneem. We'll spend the night at the Bank House with
Margaret and Noel and, if we're lucky, see Maureen O'Hara on a summer vacation. They have
a pitch and putt golf course, panda bear statues, a great place to buy hand knit Irish
sweaters, and Sneem was just recently the winner of the Irish Tourist Board Nation Tidy
Town Competition. This is a challenging ride for the first day with lots of those
"rolling" hills. Distance traveled: approx. 35 miles.
 Days
5,6 & 7
SNEEM TO PORTMAGEE
Sneem to Waterville. From Sneem to
Waterville we'll follow the beautiful coast south through the quaint villages of
Castlecave (a small resort with fine sandy beaches and the imposing reins of Staigue Fort,
one of Ireland's finest archaeological remains), Catherdaniel (home of Caniel O'Connell
"the Liberator" who lived and worked there during his political life), and
Westcove. The afternoon ride into Waterville is unforgettable; cliffs overlooking sandy
beaches and the mighty Atlantic. The village itself is nestled between Lough Currane
and the Atlantic. Again, there are some of those Irish "rolling" hills, but
the views are well worth the effort. A side trip down to the southwest
to Bolus Head is definitely in order… we'll explore the remains of Kilreleis Monastic
settlement and a great old cemetery where you might find some of your old relatives. The
afternoon will take us up a very steep hill to Coomanaspig Pass (1,000 ft.)
Day 8 & 9
Portmagee to Dingle. Today, we head
north to the village of Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula. This peninsula has been described
as having “more interesting antiquates, historic sites, and varied mountain scenery
than any other part of Ireland. With its Irish speaking district and rich cultural
heritage, it is an area of more than ordinary interest.” The road will take us along
the coast passing through the village of Caselemaine (Castle of the River Maine). It is
here that the famous Australian outlaw, “The Wild Colonial Boy” was born. (Tom
can teach you the words to this song!) Standing just beyond the head of Cemain Harbour,
the village is pleasantly situated against the background of the Slieve Mish Mountains to
the northwest. The afternoon will take us past Inch beach, which is probably the most
beautiful beach in Ireland. It is a picture of blue waters with tinted mountains on either
side and is backed by sand hills of archaeological interest. Dingle is the most westerly
town in Europe, lying partly at the foot of a steep slope on the north side of Dingle
Harbour, and it is bounded on three sides by hills, which towards the north, culminated in
Mount Brandon. Though this town is used to tourists and seems progressive, it still
retains much of its old world atmosphere. Some of its 53 pubs are the same as they were
100 years ago, and we are almost guaranteed to have some of the best traditional Irish
music in Ireland. (68 hard miles - sag support suggested).
 Our Bed and
Breakfast in Dingle is run by Tim and Eileen Collins. These are two real Irish characters.
Tim is the retired police chief and the police station is located behind the house. He is
an expert in the history and archeology of this peninsula and promises to be a great
source of information. He and one of his sons will take us out for a tour.
There are many
wonderful places to ride bikes from here. One particular ride can take us to Sleigh Head
which is in the westerly part of the island where we’ll discover beautiful beaches,
ancient ruins and small quaint Irish speaking hamlets. Both “Far and Away” and
“Ryan’s Daughter” were filmed on this peninsula. Another great ride takes
us over Connor Pass to the northern part of the peninsula. Connor Pass is the highest
mountain pass in Ireland and from the top we’ll see Brandon and Tralee bays to the
north with the sandy Castlegregory peninsula separating them: to the south, Dingle Bay;
in the deep valley below are a number of lakes. The road winds downwards to the base of
great cliffs and the valley underneath is a boulder-strewn wilderness.
Another main
attraction in Dingle is its famous porpoise Fungi. This guy got lost about eight years ago
and ended up in the Dingle Harbor and never left. He is now the main attraction. Grab a
wet suit and swim with him!
 Day 10
After an incredible
archeological tour with Tim Collins we"ll head north. We’ll say goodbye to Dingle and
head north back to the Shannon Airport. We’ll spend our last night nearby at a local
Bed and Breakfast for our early morning departure. Our last evening will be spent at the
Bunratty Castle enjoying a great Medieval feast with maidens, friars, kings, peasants...
everything you can imagine from the days gone by. Though these can be a little touristy,
it is a great way to end our trip and all say goodbye.
Day 11
Flights
back to the states.
Itinerary Subject to Change
The Great Irish Pub Ride 2008
Dates:
May 28
- June 7
Accommodation:
Bed and Breakfasts
Price:
Land Costs: 14
people--$1,975.00
12 people--$2,075.00
10 people--$2,200.00
Air Fare:
Approximately $1,050.00
Single
Supplement
$450.00
This price
includes:
Bed and Breakfasts,
Bike rental, van and sag
support, transfer to and from airport, maps, "The Great Irish Pub" t-shirt,
services of the guides, archaeological and boat tours, and a final dinner at the Bunratty
Castle.
This price does not
include:
Lunch, and dinners.
A $400.00 deposit will hold your place.
Final payment is due 60 days before departure. |
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