IRELAND: Inn-to-Inn Cycling Adventures

Shannon, Ireland: Weather

Follow the hilly, rugged western coastline of the Connemara region on this eight-day cycling holiday. Visit quaint fishing villiages, pedal along rocky bluffs, and coast through green valleys to see Ireland at its best. The northwest corner of Ireland offers a unique experience of the island, with historic castles and tiny fishing villages set amid unspoiled natural beauty. Daily Itinerary

- Activities: Cycling
- Accommodations: Inns
- Van Supported: Yes
- From: Shannon, Ireland
- 2008 Price: $1,995

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Day 1: We will meet at the Shannon airport in early afternoon and take a mini-bus shuttle to our base at Killary Lodge (a former fishing lodge of an Irish nobleman and now a welcoming guesthouse!) Our first evening will be spent in an orientation and welcome dinner.

Day 2 - 7: After breakfast, we'll head out on our bikes, cycling approximately 25-50 miles per day, depending on the strength of the group and individual desires. The cycling is hilly, but the support van will be along all the time should you need assistance. We pack our lunch the first morning, and the following days we stop at a local pub for a hearty lunch and a chance to enjoy the local flavor of Irish towns. We will spend each night in a bed and breakfast or guest house in a different town, visiting Westport, Cong, Galway, Lisdoonvarna, Clifden. Our route on

Day 8: takes us back to Killary Lodge for our final night.

Day 9: We bid farewell to our new friends after breakfast at Killary Lodge, and are shuttled back to Shannon to catch our flights home.

**This itinerary is subject to change.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Q: What makes this trip so special?
A: "Seeing and meeting the Irish people in the pubs, on the roads, and in the shops was the best part of the trip for me. It was refreshing to see a culture built upon good hospitality and thoughtfulness." "Everything was a pleasant surprise. Each evening was extremely welcoming. The meals were a gourmet delight. The cycling was so invigorating and so breathtaking. Each day I thought we had seen the 'real' Ireland, and the next day it was more beautiful and entirely different. I think we saw the most beautiful parts of the country." "This trip was both fun and relaxing, but it also allowed me to push myself and find out my limits at times. The itinerary was excellent and put me directly in the heart of the Ireland I wanted to discover. The rolling hills, the changing weather, the sheep, and the amazing food was very memorable. The Guiness also."
We believe these comments from past participants say it all!

Q: How do I get there?
A: Our adventure begins in Shannon, where we will be met at the airport and transferred by van to Killary Lodge in Leenane. There are direct flights from the U.S. to Shannon or connecting flights through London, Dublin or other cities.

Q: How and where will you meet me?
A: We will ask for a copy of your travel itinerary prior to your departure. We will meet mid to late morning on the day the trip begins at the Shannon Airport. Exact meeting time will be determined once we receive travel itineraries from all the participants. The Shannon Airport is quite small and we will meet at the spot identified by a green sign marked "Meeting Point." We will be holding a laminated Northwest Passage sign.

Q: How long will it take me to get there?
A: The flight to Ireland is often an overnight flight from the U.S., leaving late afternoon or evening and arriving the following morning. The return flights are generally "same day." With the time difference, one often leaves Ireland and arrives in the U.S. around the same time.

Q: What papers do I need for travel to Ireland?
A: All US citizens require a valid passport to enter Ireland. A visa is not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, and the European Union. If you are a citizen of another country, please check with your nearest Irish embassy for visa requirements.

Q: Do I need to get any shots before traveling to Ireland?
A: No inoculations are required when entering or leaving Ireland.

Q: Where should I stay overnight around there?
A: There are several hotel options near the Shannon Airport as well as some inexpensive B&B's. Limerick is the closest town to Shannon and has numerous lodging options. Feel free to contact the NWP office for help in making lodging arrangements as we can make suggestions based on your interests and budget.

Q: What's the currency? Exchange rate? Where can I exchange money?
A: The Irish punt (IEP) was the Irish currency. As of January, 2002, the Euro became the official currency. For the most current exchange rate, there are several helpful websites including www.mytravelguide.com and www.foreigncurrency.com or check the travel and/or business sections of your local newspaper . You can exchange money at the airport or at banks with a Bureau de Change in some of the towns we visit.

Q: How much money should I take? What will I spend money on? How much is a typical meal? Drinks? Souvenirs?
A: The trip fee covers most of your costs. The only things you will be responsible for are lunches, drinks, one dinner, personal purchases, and gratuities. Lunches vary depending on how much and what you like to eat. Most of our lunches will be in pubs where you can often get soup and sandwich for around $5 US or more for a complete meal ($10). In the past, the groups have sometimes chosen to do picnic lunches where we just split the costs of items we pick up at the grocery stores (fresh bread, cheese, fruit, sausage, chocolate etc). Personal purchases again vary- Irish sweaters and other typical Irish gifts can be purchased in various price ranges- it's up to you.

Q: When in town, who do I tip? How much?
A: Tipping is optional and not expected in the same way it is in the U.S. However, it is most appreciated and 10-15% is typical.

Q: Do they take plastic in Ireland? Are there Cash Stations?
A: Many of the shops do take credit cards. There are some cash stations at banks in the towns where we stay and where we cycle through. Galway in particular (where we will be taking our layover day) is very accustomed and accommodating to tourists.

Q: What's the weather like?
A: The weather varies but you should expect to see rain, windy and cool conditions. Average temperature in June is13.4° Celsius (55.4° F) with relative humidity of 73%. When it rains, it is usually an intermittent affair- rain showers followed by clearing and sun followed by more rain. Having a good set of raingear (jacket and pants) which you can take off and put on easily is key. The Irish talk about a "soft rain" rather than steady downpour. Raingear can also serve as good wind protection as conditions on the west coast are often quite windy. When cycling, you will tend to get fairly warm but it is good to have extra layers you can put on when you take breaks. Last June, the participants were amazed to find that they actually got sunburned on the last day of the trip!

Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: We stay in charming B&B's, guesthouses and some hotels. All rooms have private baths. Depending on the size of our group, we may take over the B&B or guesthouse entirely or we may be sharing it with others.

Q: Can I plug in my hair dryer? What about my electric razor?
A: If you bring any items requiring electricity, be sure to bring both a converter and adapter plugs. These can be purchased at Radio Shack®, other electronics stores, travel stores etc. Let the salesperson know you are traveling to Ireland and they can help you select the appropriate converter and adapter plugs for your equipment. Note that hair dryers, irons, and any other heat producing devices require a stronger converter than other devices. It is helpful to know the wattage of your particular equipment when purchasing the appropriate converter.

Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Upon registering, we will provide you with a detailed clothing and equipment list to guide you in your packing. Casual clothes are the order of the day- no need for anything fancy.

Cycling shorts can make a big difference in your comfort level! Having at least 2 pair of cycling shorts is key so that one can be washed and drying while you wear the other. Keep in mind, cycling shorts are designed to be worn without underwear (Some of you may find this so obvious that you can't believe we're saying it. But we've learned through experience that not everyone who owns cycling shorts is aware of this fact!) Leggings/tights can also be very helpful. Again, having a good layering system can be very important as your temperature needs will generally vary significantly over the course of the day. The bikes have rear racks to which one can attach panniers and front handlebar bags which can fit quite a bit.

The rest of your gear can be loaded in the van in the morning. Packing your gear in flexible bags (e.g. duffle bags vs. hard suitcases) is preferable. The van will be leading and following the riders throughout the day. However, the bags will generally be dropped off at the next B&B first thing in the morning so you may not have access to other items over the course of the day if you pack them in your main bag in the morning.

Q: Can I drink the water?
A: The water is safe to drink. In some areas, the water is well water that has minerals in it, leading it to look darker but doesn't affect the taste much. Bottled water is also readily available and we will have big containers of water in the van from which you can refill your water bottles. Water bottles will be provided with the bike rental or you can choose to bring your own.

Q: What's the food like?
A: The overwhelming response from past participants was that they were most pleasantly surprised by how wonderful the food was. Breakfast generally consists of full Irish breakfast (egg, sausage, bread) or a la carte porridge, cold cereal, yogurt, breads. Lunches vary but can consist of soup and sandwiches in pubs to a full meal (shepherd's pie, lasagna, pot pies, meats etc). We also have chosen to do picnic lunches on occasion. Dinners generally give you many options of fresh fish (this area of Ireland is known for salmon fishing and fresh Atlantic salmon was a frequent option), meats, many varieties of potatoes (at one dinner, we counted 6 different varieties!), vegetables and breads. There are always vegetarian options but we need to know in advance as some dinners are ordered on a set meal basis.

Q: What time zone will we be in?
A: Ireland is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time; 6 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time; 8 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time.

Q: How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
A: We will provide you with a list of our hotels including phone and fax numbers. You should also provide family/friends with The Northwest Passage number (800-RECREATE, 732-7328) as NWP staff will always be notified of any changes in the itinerary. You can call home using a calling card. Some of the accommodations will have phones in the rooms. Keep in mind the time difference listed above. It can be helpful to remind family and friends about this also. MCI access code for calls from Ireland is 800-551-001. AT&T access code is 800-500-000. Sprint access code is 800-552-001.

Q: How can I prepare physically for the trip? How much prior experience is needed?
A: We have had participants on this trip who regularly cycle centuries (100 mile rides) and others who have cycled 9 miles at the most in one day in the past. All have had a great time. The average day will include 30-50 miles of cycling. Most of it is fairly hilly and the weather conditions also play a major role (headwinds, rain). There are some days where the cycling is more flat (over the bog roads). The trip is van supported throughout so you can choose to cycle all or part of a day's itinerary.

Spending time training by actually riding a bike (vs. stationary bikes at health clubs) is your best bet to increase your enjoyment of this trip. However, any exercises that will improve your leg muscles and cardiovascular system will be helpful. Though it is possible to do the trip with limited cycling experience, you may not enjoy yourself as much if you are constantly concentrating on aches and pains. Please don't hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns about your physical capabilities for this trip.

Q: How much time do we spend cycling each day? How many miles do we travel? Do I have free time?
A: We will generally cycle 5-6 hours per day, covering 30-50 miles. You will receive daily route maps and notes at the start of the trip. The support van will be constantly going between the front of the group and the rear, making sure no one gets lost or left behind. You can set your own pace and stop as often as you like for photos, souvenirs, a quick bite to eat or to chat with the dear woman standing in her garden, tending her roses. Past experience shows that this may lead to your being invited in for a cup of tea so be prepared! We will usually arrive at the next B&B by around 4 p.m., leaving some free time for showers, wandering around town, etc. before dinner.

Q: What kind of equipment do you use?
A: The bikes available for rent through Killary are Cannondale hybrids, H 300 or H 500's. The bikes are generally one to two seasons old and in very good conditions. They also rent mountain bikes but most participants choose the hybrids as these are ideal for the conditions we are cycling. The bikes all have gel seats, front handlebar bags, rear racks to which one can attach a pannier (also provided if you like), and water bottle cages. Helmets and water bottles will also be provided with the rental unless you prefer to bring your own. The van will have a full repair kit and the cycling coordinator riding with the group will have a personal repair kit.

You may bring your own bike if you choose. Be sure to box it properly for shipment on the airline. Also check with your airline carrier regarding luggage requirements.

Q: How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides/what are their qualifications?
A: Our group size for this trip ranges from 8 to 12 participants. We generally have one staff member cycling with the group and one driving the support van. Your guides will be knowledgeable Northwest Passage staff members who are highly skilled in all aspects of cycling and wilderness travel and have years of experience leading groups. They all have training and/or certification in Wilderness First Aid.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

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