Ireland Road
Explore the Wild Atlantic Way
Ireland will quickly capture your heart. Come for the cycling—but you'll leave with so much more.
Here on the Emerald Isle, the roads rise to meet you and you’ll discover some of the world’s finest hospitality. After several visits to Ireland, we kept asking ourselves the same question: Why aren’t we hosting a trip here? The weather was the obvious answer, but it didn’t take long to look past it—just pack a rain jacket and discover what makes Ireland so unique. The Emerald Isle’s stunning landscape, rich history, and rugged coastlines have attracted visitors for centuries. The picture-perfect scenery draws you in, but what will captivate you is the Irish hospitality.
Our trip will explore one of the most beautiful sections of the Wild Atlantic Way, a 1,600-mile route across Ireland. The routes pass countless world heritage sites, including castles, forts, villages, and geographic features. Locals regard this region as wild, and you quickly realize why: Sometimes, you feel you are stepping back in time. The trip offers diverse riding topography and a unique range of accommodations. Afternoons will be for relaxing, exploring villages, or making new friends at the local pub—which is easy to do here.
Highlights
- Six days of guided, supported rides through mountains, coastlines, and history on the Wild Atlantic Way
- Accommodations in the beautiful Ballina, Achill Island, and Kilary (near Westport)
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Whiskey tasting
- Indulge in all-things Ireland—castles, live music, Irish whiskey, and Guiness
- View our Ireland Photo Gallery Here.
Food
When you think of Ireland, Guinness might be the first thing that comes to mind, but the culinary experiences you’ll encounter on this trip will create lasting memories. Each morning, enjoy breakfast and freshly brewed coffee, fueling us for the day’s riding adventures. Along the way, we’ll savor the local cuisine, whether dining at charming restaurants or enjoying chef-prepared meals at our accommodations. Expect hearty Irish breakfasts, freshly caught seafood, artisanal cheeses, and farm-to-table delights that highlight Ireland’s rich agricultural heritage. From traditional dishes like Irish stew and soda bread to modern culinary creations, every meal will be a delightful part of your journey.
Accommodations
The trip has three unique accommodations: two nights in Ballina at the Ice House, one night on Achill Island at the Achill Cliff House Hotel, and three nights outside Westport at the Killary Lodge.
Each accommodation has a distinct flavor and personality. The Ice House has been voted Ireland’s number-one spa multiple times, and upon arrival, you will see why. Ballina is also where Rachel, our lead Irish guide, calls home. Achill Cliff House Hotel sits along the sea in beautiful Keel, and the views will not disappoint. Our final three nights are spent at Killary Lodge, an incredible property that sites on Ireland’s only Fjord. The lodge has a similar feel to the houses on our close-to-home trips (if you’ve ever experienced one). We are in for a real treat here.
ITINERARIES
Ireland Road - 6 Nights
Fáilte Ireland - Arrival Day
We will pick up guests at a prearranged meeting point in Ballina.
We will send details on how to get to Ballina from Dublin (DUB) or Shannon (SNN). TCH does not offer a shuttle from either airport, but taking a train, taxi, or private car is easy.
Upon arrival, our team will help everyone settle into their rooms. Our mechanics will then get to work building bikes. After lunch, guests who rent bikes can get fitted.
The arrival spin will take us into the Irish countryside. Post-ride, guests will have time to unwind before our arrival day meeting, with dinner to follow.
Today’s Ride: Arrival Spin
30 miles and 1,000′
Easkey Loop
We start and finish this loop in Ballina, our lead Irish guide’s favorite local loop. After we head out of Ballina, we quickly leave the city. We’ll enjoy quiet roads with rolling terrain on our way to Easky, which takes its name from the Irish language—Gaelic—and means “abounding in fish” due to the Easkey River adjacent to the small village.
After Easky, the more significant climbs are over. We will enjoy views of Killala Bay and pass through the small beach town of Inishcrone before the final stretch back to the Ice House.
After the ride, enjoy the spa at the Ice House and join us for a Guinness or Irish Whiskey at a local pub before dinner.
Today’s Ride: Easkey Loop
51 miles and 2,200′
Downpatrick Head
Today, we pack our bags and depart Ballina for Downpatrick Head, with Achill Island as our final destination. We will load up in the vans and take a 30-minute shuttle to Downpatrick Head. Once we arrive, we’ll take a quick walk out to the peninsula, learning about Irish history and St Patrick while taking in the breathtaking views.
The ride will take us further along the Wild Atlantic Way toward Bellmullet, where riders can extend their ride toward the out and back on the peninsula or enjoy lunch and explore Bellmullet.
After lunch, we will make the 1-hour shuttle to Achill Island.
Today’s Ride: Downpatrick Head
50-75 miles and 2,500′-3,200′
Achill Island
The Wild Atlantic Way has gained notoriety for its beauty among international travelers and cyclists. The Atlantic Drive might be the most stunning stretch of the 1,600-mile route; it’s been garnered as one of the most scenic drives in the world.
The ride will take us past some of the highest cliffs in Ireland, with spectacular sea views along this rugged coastline. The two main twelve-mile loops will pass blowholes, pristine beaches, and old forts and offer something for everyone. We might even opt for a quick hike at Keam Beach and follow that up with a refreshing plunge into the sea.
We will finish the ride with a picnic lunch before we drive two our next destination and accommodations for our final three nights at The Killary Lodge.
Today’s Ride: Achill Island to Westport
40 miles and 2,000′
Westport Loop
After a relaxing morning at the Killary Lodge, we will depart by bike for the Westport Loop. Our route takes us along the edge of Croaugh Patrick, a significant mountaintop for pilgrimages in County Mayo. The ride has undulating terrain, and we’ll pass through the Doolough Valley. Here, we will make a stop for home-cooked treats and coffee before making our way back to the lodge.
In the afternoon, we will be able to enjoy the beautiful lodge, and we’ll have options for a sauna and wild Atlantic swimming experience.
Today’s Ride: Westport Loop
51 miles and 2,400′
Clifden Loop
Today, we depart by bike from the Killary Lodge for our final ride. The route is a loop that takes us to Connemara, where we will be met with rolling farmlands, open meadows, and Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s most visited castles.
The Sky Road outside Clifden might be the highlight, but everything in between will not disappoint. The route will pass Cleggan Head with spectacular views of Inishbofin, Inishturk, Clare Island and the Twelve Bens.
Our final evening will celebrate our epic week together in beautiful Ireland with music and great food.
Today’s Ride: Clifden Loop
61 miles and 2,900′
Adiós! Departure Day
Today, we will shuttle everyone back to the Westport train station. From here, you can take the train to Dublin, Shannon, or your next destination.Â
Today’s Plan: Departure Day
Shuttles to Westport train station.
DATES & PRICES
- 2025
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Aug 7 - 13 Road - 7 Day$4,850 / Person Fully Booked - Join Waitlist
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Aug 15 - 21 Road - 7 Day$4,850 / Person Almost Full!
DETAILS
What's Included
- 6 nights/7 days accommodations
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)Â
- Mechanical support (including bike build and breakdown)
- Professional trip guides
- Daily sag support
- Ride nutrition products
- High-quality ride photo
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What's Not Included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers to/from Dublin (DUB) or Shannon (SNN)
- Bike rentals
- Gratuity for guides
- Mid-ride café stops
- Personal shoppingÂ
- Massage therapyÂ
- Beer and Wine
Questions?
BIKE OPTIONS
Rent A Bike
Traveling through the airport with a bike—and paying for it to fly—is not everyone’s idea of a fun way to start a vacation. Fortunately, we offer high-quality, full carbon bikes on all of our trips across the United States and Europe. Want to just show up and ride? Just bring your shoes, pedals, helmet, and saddle (if you want), and rent one of ours.
Bring Your Own
Your bike is yours—we get it. Bringing your own bike has obvious advantages in terms of individual comfort. Before your trip, we suggest getting a tune-up at your local bike shop so it’s ready to roll for your week of riding. Once you arrive, we’ll be sure to have our mechanics build it and help with any necessary tweaks. Check out some helpful resources here:
Skip The Bike
If you or your travel partner want to enjoy the trip and explore a new destination without a bike, drop us a line and we’ll discuss options. Some trips are better suited for non-rider participants than others.
