Extended vacation tours in 2011

Tour of Ireland

October 2 through October 16, 2011

There is probably no better place to ride a bicycle than the Emerald Isle. This will be our eighth bicycle tour of Ireland, our favorite tour. The scenery is unbelievable and the people are by far the friendliest on earth. The vistas and serenity of cycling in the countryside will provide a vacation unavailable elsewhere. The evenings are spent in pubs enjoying the fellowship of the Irish people. There always seems to be live music.

We will provide you with a vacation led by an experienced cyclist and a mechanic to maintain your bicycle. A van will carry your luggage to each town and you will have the day to cycle through the small towns of Ireland. We will stay in small hotels and possible a B&B. Meals include an Irish breakfast each day and nine of the evening meals. Lunch is on your own with plenty of pubs around to grab a bowl of soup, sandwich and a pint. The Touring Cyclist will pack your bicycle, transport it to Ireland, then assemble your bicycle, and maintain the bicycle during the course of the tour.

Our itinerary will include flying into Shannon airport, taking a coach to Cork City, then cycling around the Southern coast to the Ring of Kerry in County Kerry. When we get to Tralee we will take a coach up to the Connemara Peninsula for a different kind of cycling in the wilds of Connemara, a visit to the Aran Islands, with the tour ending in Galway City.

Prior to our leaving we will have a “Icebeaker” party where we review the itinerary and everyone gets on a first name basis. More about this later.

DAILY ITINERARY

Day One, Sunday October 2nd – Leave St. Louis on Continental Flt #2670 at 12:25pm terminal M flying to Newark, arriving at 3:52pm Terminal A. Depart Newark at 7:30pm Terminal C to Shannon on Continental Flight 24. Arrive in Shannon at 7:00am.

Day Two, Monday October 3rd – Arrive Shannon Airport 7:00am. Clear customs in Shannon and we will take a coach to Cork City, about 80miles. We will stay at the Imperial Hotel (4 stars) South Mall, Cork City, County Cork. Tel: 353.21.42740940 Fax: 353.21.4275375. The afternoon will be free to explore the city and its various museums and cultural centers. Cork is Ireland’s third largest city. The city has a strong historical and cultural identity. St. Patrick’s Street is Cork’s main shopping thoroughfare and offers a wide variety of specialty shops. During the afternoon we will be assembling the bicycles. Five course dinner that night at hotel. (1)

Day Three, Tuesday October 4th – First day of cycling. We will cycle from Cork to Kinsale (pop.1759) (Michelin guide p.164). Follow R600 all the way, distance 20 miles. This is a busy road, but very wide with a cycle lane on the shoulder. Kinsale is on the coast and is a very attractive town with a beautiful harbor. Narrow lanes and slate-hung houses overlook the broad estuary of the River Bendon. It is also the gourmet capital of Ireland with many excellent restaurants. Sites to see include Charles Fort built in 1670 and in use until 1922. Stay at Kierans Folkhouse Inn, Guardwell Street, Kinsale phone 011 353 021 4772382, Fax 011 353 021 4774085. Group dinner at Spinnaker Restaurant at 8pm. (2)

Day Four, Wednesday October 5th – Cycle from Kinsale to Bantry, a distance of 59 miles. (pop2,777) (Michelin guide p. 56). This is a long cycling day where we cycle along the southern coast. Leave Kinsale on R600 to Clonakilty, 28 miles, then take N71 to Rosscarbery 6.5 miles, then R597 to Leap 4.5 miles, then N71 to Skibbereen 5.5 miles. This will be the pick-up point for those who wish to sag the remainder of the way. Meet at the town square around 3pm. For those who would like to visit a quaint fishing village I recommend take R595 8 miles to the very tip of the peninsula to Baltimore. The best salmon dinner I ever had was in Baltimore. From Skibbereen follow N71 for next 37 miles to Bantry. Stay at Westlodge Hotel * Bantry, County Cork. Tel: 353.27.50360 Fax: 353.27.50439.The Westlodge has a health and leisure center, including pool, sauna, steam room, etc. Dinner on your own.

Day Five, Thursday October 6th – Cycle from Banry to Kenmare 27 miles (pop 1.366) (Michelin p. 149). Leave Kenmore on N71 for 3 miles; on the right is the road to Gougane Barra Forest Park. Take this road and for the next 18 miles this will be the most beautiful ride of the tour. You will cycle along a plateau with a beautiful valley on your right for the entire distance. When you get to Kilgarvan take R569 to the right and go 6.5 miles to Kenmare. Take plenty of film and pack a lunch, as there are no towns along the way. Little bit of a climb getting on the plateau. Kenmare is a small market town set in a horseshoe of mountains where the Roughty River widens into the Kenmare River. On the edge of town there is a prehistoric stone circle consisting of one central stone surrounded by 15 upright stones. The sag wagon will take the group there. Kenmore is a popular tourist center with elegant shops. Stay at Riversdale House Hotel (three stars) located on scenic shores of Kenmare Bay and backed by the McGilycuddy, Reeds and Coha Mountains. Tel: 353.64.41299 Fax: 353.64.41025. . Group dinner at the Limetrees Restaurant in Kenmare, walking distance from the hotel and a very nice small restaurant with an art gallery upstairs. The food is great and the service is excellent.

Day Six, Friday October 7th – Cycle from Kenmare to Killarney distance of 21 miles. (pop 7,275). Follow route N71 all the way. Killarney is set on the east shore of Lough Leane in Killarney National Park. The town was founded in the early 17C by Sir Valentine Browne. Thomas Browne laid out the present street plan and created a neat town of slated houses and shops. Just before you reach Killarney off to the right is Muckross House, a Elizabethan style mansion furnished in the style of the early 20C. The drawing room, library and dining room with lavish decorations present a lifestyle of the gentry of Ireland at the turn of the century. The beautiful gardens extend down to the lakeside. The traditional farms attached to the house are worked in the manner that prevailed in Ireland in the early 20C. I suggest you stop there before going into Killarney. Stay at International Hotel, (four stars) Kenmare Place, Killarney, County Kerry. Hotel established 100 year ago, known for its traditional Irish hospitality. Tel: 353.64.31816 Fax: 353.64.31837. Group dinner at the hotel (4)

Day Seven, Saturday October 8th – Cycle from Killarney to Ballyferriter, 41 miles. Ballyferriter is three miles pass Dingle on the Slea Head route around the Dingle peninsula. Dingle’s (pop1,272) (Michelin p. 99) Leave on R 562 for 2 miles to Aghadoe then R 563 to Miltown, 8 miles, then N70 2 miles to Castlemaine, then along the coast road on R 561 until it runs into N86 for the last 11 miles. Once you reach Dingle continue past Dingle on R559 along the coast for three miles. These 3 miles are along the Dingle Bay and is some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Ireland and is known as Slea Head. Before leaving Dingle stop for a look around at the Docks and a walk around the shopping area. The hotel is set on the promontory of the peninsula with a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. The Dingle Peninsula is Gaelic-speaking area and contains a large number of ancient stone monuments, many from the early Christian period. It is appreciated for its scenery and dramatic views. The town is an important commercial fishing port: when the catch is unloaded, the pier is a scene of frantic activity. There is a craft center with a cluster of workshops – jewelry, music instruments, hand weaving and leatherworks. Stay at Smerwick Harbour Hotel, Ballyferriter, phone 011 353 066 9156470 fax 011 353 066 9156473. From the hotel is a view of the Blasket Islands and the North Atlantic. The hotel is isolated on the very tip of the peninsula. Group dinner at the hotel. (5)

Day Eight, Sunday October 9th – Cycle from Ballyferriter back to Dingle then on to Tralee (pop 17,225) (Michelin p. 201) distance 29.5 miles. The back road will take you back to Dingle. From Dingle take the road over Conners Pass, the highest mountain pass in Ireland. The climb is not steep but long about 5 miles, there are places along the way to stop and get your breath. Some people may wish to sag to the top. There is a small park at the top and a clear view of Dingle Bay, Brandon Bay and Tralee Bay. There is a long climb to the top but a long down hill on the other side, about 5 miles of coasting. Once down, nearby is Stradbally Strand, the longest sandy beach in Ireland (12 miles). This is where Ryan’s Daughter was filmed. Tralee, the county town of Kerry, is situated at the head of Tralee Bay on the Northern approach to the Dingle peninsula. Every August the town is host to the International Rose of Tralee Festival, all girls of Irish descent are eligible for the title. Stay at the Comfort Inn, Castle Street, Tralee phone 011 353 66 7121877 Fax 011 353 66 7122273. Dinner on your own, there are many excellent restaurants in town with great seafood.

CONNEMARA PENINSULA

Connemara is a wild and beautiful region of mountains, lakes, tumbling streams, undulating bogs, sea-girt promontories, unspoiled beaches, and panoramic views. It is a Gaelic speaking region and has attracted many artisans, who can be visited at work in their studios—hand weaving, knitting, screen-printing, pottery jewelry, and woodcarving.

The Center of Connemara is composed of mountain peaks, the Twelve Bens or Pins. The Bens are drained by mountain streams, and ringed by a chain of lakes. The region is now largely uninhabited, although in the past the more fertile lowlands were cultivated and the uplands were used as pasture for cattle and sheep.

Day Nine, Monday October 10th – We will leave via coach at 8am for Cong in Connemara 143 miles north. The bicycles will be packed in the van for transporting. We should arrive in Cong in the early afternoon. Cong is the small town where the movie “The Quiet Man” with John Wayne was filmed. Surely, everyone has seen this movie at least four times. Along the way stop at Cliffs of Mohar whose cliffs are 600 ft above the Atlantic. The cliffs are famous for their scenic beauty (great photo opportunity). The area we will be driving through is known as “the Burren” a vast limestone plateau, which covers much of County Clare and is a national park. Cong, from the Gallic conga meaning a narrow piece of land (pop183) (Michelin p 90) is an attractive village on the eastern fringe of the lakes and mountains of Connemara. Sites: Cong Abby an Augustinian order was founded in the 12 C on the site of an earlier monastic foundation 6Century. Ashford Castle is now a hotel (very exclusive,) designed in the Victorian baronial style it incorporates the Ashford Castle, built in the style of a French chateau. Beautiful gardens, well worth walking around. Hotel is Ryans Minotel, Cong, County Mayo. Tel: 353.92.46243 Group dinner at the Hotel. (6)

Day Ten, Tuesday October 11th – Cycle from Cong to Clifden 40 miles, (pop. 1,500) (Michelin p. 94). Leave Cong on Rouge R345 to Leeane then N59 to Kylemore Abbey 11 miles. Pick up point at Kylemore Abbey at 3 pm. From Kylemore Abbey to Clifden 11 miles. You will be riding through the Maumtuck Mountains with some beautiful scenery and loughs. Clifden is located on the western tip of the Connemara peninsula and is one of the oldest towns on the peninsula. The town is at the head of Ardbear Harbor, the harbor quay dates from 1822. Stay at Alcock & Brown Hotel, Town Square, Clifden, Phone 011 353.21.451.8993 Dinner on your own, lots of good restaurants in town as well as the hotel.

Day Eleven, Wednesday October 12th Cycle from Clifden to Cashel, distance 22 or 14 miles. Cashel is not a town or village but a couple of houses and a pub. From Clifden there are two routes to consider: 1) Leave Clifden on R 34 and follow this route along the coast in a wide loop through the towns of Ballenaboy, Ballyconneely, Callow, Roundstone to Toomleola. If you look at the map you will see this route follows the bay and is a very rugged, not hilly, scenic route with little to see except rural Ireland. At Toomleola take R 342 on to Cashel. A route well worth doing. 2) From Clifden take R 34 one mile to Ballinaboy then take the road (no name) on your left to Toombeola. Then on to Cashel 14 miles. A look at the map will show this as a shortcut to Cashel. The long route is certainly recommended. Once in Cashel, at the pub, continue about a quarter of a mile to Zetland Country House Hotel (four stars). Tel 095.3111 Fax 095.31117. this a a manor house converted to a small hotel. Very up-scale, wait till you see the rooms, great lounge, bar, dining room, game room, and garden. Group dinner at the hotel. (7) We have stayed there before and it’s the nicest hotel we will be staying in. Worth getting there early to enjoy all the facilities, tennis, croquet, walk along the bay.

Day Twelve, Thursday October 13th – Cycle from Cashel to Rossaveal (distance 19 miles) to catch the ferry across to the Aran Islands. Must be at the Ferry @ 1:30pm or you will miss the boat and end up sleeping on the dock. Refer to the map, upon leaving Zetland House going East. When you reach R 340 turn right for short distance until you reach unmarked road on left going East after 6.5 miles it turns into L102, continue another 2 miles to Gortmore, continue on R 340 2.5 miles to Screeb. This is a place where you can get something to eat. Then continue South on R 336 to Rossaveel 8 miles. There are signs pointing the way to the Ferry. Look for the van as it will have your luggage and you can get what you need to carry on the Ferry for the overnight. A 40 minute ride to Kilmurvey on Aran Islands. We will stay at B&B Kilmurvey House (three stars) with six rooms. The next day we will return on the 12:00 ferry. We can take our bicycles on the ferry but the van will not be able to go. There is secure parking for the van. But you will have to take your clothing and personal effects on your bicycle. Group dinner at Kilmurvey House. (8) Once you reach the dock, Kilmurvey House is less than a mile along the Bay, off to the left on the main road. We have stayed there before and is a very nice congenial place.

Day Thirteen, Friday October 14th – Return via ferry at 12:00pm to Rossaveal and cycle pass Galway City (pop 50,856) 22.5 miles. (Michelin p. 137) to the small town of Oranmore, 7 miles along the Galway Bay from Galway City. Follow coast road to Galway along R 338. We will have a pickup point just prior to Galway at Barna, just outside of Galway. The van will be there at 2pm. For those who wish to cycle to Oranmore continue into Galway and follow the coast road to Oranmore, seven miles past Galway City. Total miles 30 miles. Our hotel is Galway Bay Golf and Country Club Hotel. Oranmore. Phone 011 353 91 790500 Fax 011 353 91 790510.

Day Fourteen, Saturday October 15th – Free Day in Galway, the van will take the people into Galway City at 10am and return to pickup the people at 3pm. This time may change based on what people want to do. There is many opportunities at the hotel as well as surrounding area. and our last day full day in Ireland. Numerous sights so visit the tourist office. The van will be shuttling people to the downtown area. Farewell dinner at the hotel at 8pm. (9)

Day Fifteen, Sunday October 16th – Leave via coach for Shannon at 6:00am arrive Shannon airport at 7:30am. Depart Shannon airport at 9:00am on Continental Airlines Flight 25 arrive in Newark at 11:15am Terminal C and depoart Neward at 2:50pm from Terminal A on Flight 2364 and arrive in St Louis at 4:25pm.

Notes:

Donald N Humphries will be the tour leader on this Tour. He is well qualified and can hold his own with any Irishman that wants to swap stories. Along with the itinerary we will provide maps and daily route guide and acitivities. The support vehicle will always be along the route for those who wish to shorten their ride.

The total cycling distance is approximately 380 miles. Optional cycling can add about 100 more miles.

There will be nine group dinners consisting of three or four course meals. Alcohol beverages are on your own. Two of the dinners, the welcome dinner and the farewell dinner will consist of five course meals with wine.

We will stay in Ireland for fourteen nights in Irish hotels with full Irish breakfasts.

9 of the hotels are three star hotels (above average) comparable to Michelin two star Hotels
3 of the hotels are four star hotels (superior)
1 of the stays is in Guesthouses five star rated.

To telephone or fax Ireland dial 011 (international connection) 353 (the country code) then the two numbers (area code) then the phone number.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the tour please contact me at 314 739 4648 or fax 314 739 4972 or e-mail [donaldh AT touringcyclist.com]

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