IRELAND
IN SEARCH OF EMERALD GIANTS
18th - 26th May
IRELAND AND THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY
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All on Tarmac
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Ride your own bike
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Ride with group or self navigate
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Choice of camping/bunkhouse, or hotel
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Highlights include Ring of Kerry, Healy Pass,
Gap of Dunloe, Cliffs of Moher and Beara Peninsula -
Average of around 170 miles per day
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£745 per rider camping/bunkhouse
£1195 hotel on twin share hotel basis -
includes ferry, accommodation, back up vehicle and routing.
For illustration purposes only
WHAT IS IT
In Search of Emerald Giants is a week long lap of Ireland, catching the ferry out from Holyhead to Dublin, before heading clockwise to pick up the stunning Wild Atlantic Way. We'll ride all the epic passes such as Healy Pass and Priest's Leap, stopping off along the way at iconic locations such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, home of Father Ted's house and the most southerly point of Mizen Head. We'll eat in local Irish bars and complete the loop by heading across to Belfast, taking the overnight ferry to Liverpool to get you home early Sunday morning.
HOW IT WORKS:
This trip is supported in that there will always be option to ride with a guide, however it is always encouraged where riders wish to ride at a quicker or slower pace, or take in a slightly different route then there is the flexibility to do that, with a paper and GPX road book and accommodation stops provided prior to departure.
Daily distances will be around 160 miles, with some slightly less, some slightly more. At all times the most scenic route will be taken, this will often include single track roads and mountain passes, occasionally with grass strips down the middle. The riding can be slightly challenging, certainly if the weather is poor, but again, all riders have the option to adapt the route to suit their abilities and preferences. No one will be forced to remain with the group, or ride roads they don't feel comfortable riding.
WHO IS IT FOR?:
The run is for anyone who wants to see more of Ireland and to enjoy the company of others on this laid-back road trip adventure. It'll will be a mix of camping and bunkhouse, so participants will need to be prepared for a bit of wet and windy weather, but there's great camaraderie in that, and when the sun shines in Ireland there's no other place like it.
In terms of bike choice, this run is suitable for most machines. If you come with a heavily laden large capacity bike then it can be a bit of a handful on the tighter lanes or on campsites - so I'd advise packing light - and bikes as small as 125cc would cope just fine, although if you can't keep to national road speeds then you would be encouraged to self-navigate rather than having the group slow to your pace. But from experience, most bikes and riders, whatever their pace, always get there at about the same time!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
The price includes the return ferry to and from Ireland, road book, guiding services, and all camping and bunkhouse accommodation along the way. The road book and GPX files will be issued approximately 2 months ahead of the departure date. There will also be a back up van on this one in case anyone has bike issues, and also a place to get a cup of tea first thing in the morning.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
The price doesn't include fuel, food and spending money. Riders will also need to check their own vehicle insurance to make sure cover extends to Ireland, with breakdown cover advised. It also advised that you take out suitable travel insurance and note that there is no provision for personal injury insurance. Riders embark on this trip at their own risk.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?:
You need a well serviced and travel ready machine. It needs fresh tyres and any other consumable for what will be approximately a 1000 mile trip.
You will need decent riding kit, including sturdy boots and good waterproofs. Camping kit will also be needed, consisting of a basic pack list of tent, sleeping bag and inflatable mat. It's optional to take cooking equipment as usually there are local amenities nearby. And the van will have a stove for hot water.
PILLION RIDE:
Pillion riders are welcome, with an additional fee of £250 per pillion rider. Please notify me by email at the time of making the booking.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
To secure you place click on the 'register now' button below, which will take you to a payment area where you can pay a £75 deposit to secure your place. The remainder of the balance will be due further down the line, with further information also provided upon sign up.
FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE JUST MESSAGE ME USING THE CONTACT BOX BELOW.
NEW FOR 2024!
A HOTEL OPTION FOR IRELAND
For 2024 there's also a hotel option for Ireland. The dates will be the same and will take the same route at the same pace, just with hotel accommodation on the evening. This will be managed and supported by David Shaw and Steve Nash. Twin share, doubles and single supplements are available.
Single bed room 7 nights: £1495
Twin room 7 nights: £1195 per person
Double room 7 nights (one bike): £1695
Double room 7 nights (two bikes): £1845
To book, please click on the 'register now' button above.
FULL ITINERARY:
We'll be sailing on the 14.10 ferry from Holyhead to Dublin on Saturday 18th May. Check in time is 30 minutes prior to departure.
We will land in Dublin around 5.30 and then have an hour or so ride to our first overnighter in the stunning Wicklow Mountains. Those in the hotel will be in the Glendalough Hotel and those hardy campers which actually be in the Glendalough Hostel. Dinner and a beer in the local pub that evening.
SUNDAY:
Something of a transit day today but still some great riding along the way, including the first valley road out of Glendalough. Then, after a cross country stint we'll hit the coast just outside the town of Dungervan, taking a couple of small waterway ferries (not included in the price but around 4 Euros) to avoid Cork before finally joining the Wild Atlantic Way in Kinsale. From there it's a scenic ride down to Skibbereen, a pleasant place, eating that night at the legendary Annie Mays.
MONDAY:
Today the fun begins, first to Mizen Head - the most southerly point of Ireland - before heading north to the roller coaster of Priest's Leap, a single track road that's not for the faint hearted (avoid it if you prefer). Next comes Healy Pass, a real fun ride through incredible landscape, before pushing on through Kenmare for the start of the Ring of Kerry. We're in the small town of Cahersiveen that evening - the campsite at Mannix Point - with a choice of good restaurants and stunning waterside views.
TUESDAY:
More great riding follows today, riding the magnificent Ballaghbeama Gap, Moll's Gap and the unforgettable Gap of Dunloe, where horse drawn carts take priority down this long twisting valley road. Great riding. Alternatively, if you've packed your sea legs, there could be option to take a boat trip out to Skellig Michael, the island made famous for being Luke's hideaway in Star Wars, the Force Awakens. We can make plans for that nearer the time. On the evening we're in the lively town of Dingle, home of great live music and a harbour side fish supper.
WEDNESDAY:
The destination today is Doolin, a coastal village with brightly coloured houses and a great pub for dinner. First, we have to ride the rest of the Dingle peninsula including Conor Pass, before taking a short ferry across the Shannon Estuary, from Tarbert to Killmer on the north shore. This sets our sights on the rugged coastline where the iconic Cliffs of Moher can be found. Although better (and cheaper) cliffs lay a little south, at Kilkee.
THURSDAY:
The Burren beckons. This is a moonscape of grey glacial limestone that extends for mile upon mile. Take the coastal road and see the best of it, or head inland to visit the house of Father Ted. Next, we call at Galway which is a fabulous town, well worth getting off and exploring. We then head west to Clifden, riding the stunning Sky Road as an option, and then a little further on to a remote homestead for a night in the wilderness, views of the loch just beyond the window.
FRIDAY:
We have time to explore today, passing through the magnificent Doolough Valley then beyond Wexport to Achill Island and the magnificent Keel Beach. This really a highlight of trip out here. And the road that follow around the Wild Nephin National Park is just as spectacular. A phenomenal stretch of open flowing Tarmac - think Glencoe without the motor homes. Friday night it's pizza night by the tranquil Loch Arrow, with a warm welcome from the hosts and time to prepare for one last day on the road.
SATURDAY:
We're aiming for the ferry today, the overnighter out of Belfast to Liverpool, arriving 6am Sunday morning; plenty time to get home in the day. On route to Belfast, you can take the direct route and saunter cross country, or go for broke and divert north to the Giant's Causeway, following the magnificent Antrim coast all the way down to the port. Decisions to make at another time; see what the weather's doing, see how you're feeling. Then one last drink together on the boat before home we head, after a great week long adventure on the road.
