Connemara luxe ride

Luxury Tour

A short self-guided luxury bicycling tour in Ireland

Luxury Tour

Stay in the most beautiful hotels in Connemara, as you start the tour with a night in the magnificent Lodge at Ashford Castle and you finish this short trip with 2 nights in Ballynahinch Castle Hotel. Even in the short space of 3 cycling days, you will see the most beautiful areas such as Clifden’s Sky Road, the Twelve Bens mountains and the beautiful Dog’s Bay beach.

Your cycling adventure begins in Galway, where you’ll be fitted with a bike before heading into the stunning Connemara landscape. Ride through the mountains, taking in breathtaking views of Lough Corrib, before reaching the charming village of Cong, known for The Quiet Man film. Explore historic sites like Cong Abbey and the Monk’s House before settling into The Lodge at Ashford Castle, where you’ll enjoy a gourmet dining experience. On day two, cycle through ancient forests and across the vast plains of Connemara, stopping at the Padraic Pearse Centre to learn about local history. The day ends at the luxurious Ballynahinch Castle, where a fine dining experience awaits.

Day three takes you on scenic loops around Clifden, including the famous Sky Road with its coastal views, a visit to Clifden Castle ruins, and a stop at the picturesque village of Roundstone and Dog’s Bay Beach. After another night at Ballynahinch Castle, your journey concludes on day four with breakfast before returning to Galway or continuing your travels.

Starting Dates

April – October

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 - Arrival - Galway

DAY 1 - Arrival - Galway, transfer to Cong

Your adventure begins in Galway City, where we will brief you on your tour andl fit you with your bikes before transferring you to Cong. Arrive in the charming village of Cong, famously known as the filming location of The Quiet Man, starring Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne. Explore the historic Cong Abbey, founded in the 12th century, and the Monk’s House before unwinding for the evening. Your hotel for the night is The Lodge at Ashford Castle, where you’ll enjoy an unforgettable dining experience at Wilde’s Restaurant. Savor locally sourced, classically inspired dishes while soaking in the tranquil views over Lough Corrib. Enjoy a short cycle around the pretty village of Cong and Ashford Castle Estate.

DAY 2 - Cong – Ballynahinch

(70km/43mls Gradient +592m/-587m)

After a hearty breakfast you will cycle through the ancient forest in Cong and onwards along the northern banks of Lough Corrib to the flat plains of Connemara. Enjoy the views of peat bogs as you cycle west with stunning views of the Connemara mountains. Stop for a break at the Padraic Pearse centre, one of Ireland's National heroes of independence and learn about the culture, history and heritage of the local area. Continue west to the stunning Ballynahinch Castle where you will spend the next 2 nights. Enjoy dinner at the renowned Owenmore Restaurant, overlooking the serene Owenmore River. The menu showcases contemporary dishes crafted from the finest and freshest seasonal produce, with a focus on the West Coast's abundant fresh fish and game.

DAY 3 - Ballynahinch Loops

Loop 1: 68km (42mls) Gradient +487m/-487m;
loop 2: 72km (43mls) Gradient +524m/-524m

Today you will cycle to the vibrant town of Clifden and continue along the Sky road to enjoy some sublime coastal scenery and along the way walk to the ruin of Clifden Castle. You will also have the opportunity to visit the pleasant fishing village of Roundstone and Dog’s Bay beach, one of Ireland's most beautiful beaches before returning to Ballynahinch Castle.

DAY 4 - Departure - Galway

Breakfast followed by transfer to Galway

Tour Details

Included

Accommodation & Meals

Stay 3 nights in hand-selected 4* boutique hotels, elegant manor houses, or historic castle properties — each chosen for their charm, setting, and exceptional service. Your package includes gourmet breakfasts daily and 2 evening meals showcasing regional cuisine and local ingredients, served in atmospheric settings.

Meet & greet

Your journey begins with a warm welcome from one of our experienced local guides. You’ll receive a private bike fitting and full tour briefing, with personalised recommendations for making the most of your luxury cycling experience.

Bicycles & Equipment

Our premium touring fleet includes Trek hybrid bikes, electric, road, or gravel bikes to match your preference and terrain. Each bike comes fully equipped with high-quality panniers, helmet, repair kit, lock, and a handlebar pouch. E-bikes feature quiet Bosch motors and long-range batteries for relaxed, extended touring.

Option 1 - Trek FX2 Hybrid Touring Bike

The FX2 is strong, stable, fun and perfectly suited for Irish roads. Customised for our tours with puncture resistant tyres, mudguards and rear rack. Also available with ladies specific frame.

Includes: Helmet, bike lock, pannier, repair kit.

Option 2 - Trek Checkpoint Gravel Bikes

For riders seeking performance, versatility, and comfort on mixed terrain, the Trek Checkpoint is a superb upgrade. This lightweight gravel bike features drop handlebars, wider tires for extra stability, and a responsive frame ideal for Ireland’s quiet country roads and occasional gravel paths. It's perfect for guests who want a faster, sportier ride without sacrificing comfort on longer days in the saddle.

Option 3 - Trek Road Bike

Our Trek road bikes are sleek and lightweight, designed for speed and efficiency on paved roads. With drop handlebars and a smooth-shifting Shimano drivetrain, it's ideal for cyclists who prefer a more aerodynamic riding position and want to cover longer distances with ease. A great choice for guests seeking a faster, road-focused experience while exploring the west of Ireland.

Option 4: Trek Electric Bike

We use the high quality, reliable E-bikes. These bikes are pedal assist meaning they travel a lot further when you push the pedal compared to a regular bike. Comfortable, strong and stable bikes combined with a quiet, powerful Bosch motor and a fully integrated high-capacity battery ensure many miles of care-free cycling. On a full charge they are good for 80km+.

Luggage Transfers

All daily luggage transfers are taken care of – your bags will be waiting at your next hotel so you can ride free and light

Roadside Assistance

Enjoy peace of mind with dedicated local support contact. In the unlikely event of a breakdown or weather disruption, we’ll have you back on the road — or comfortably transported — without delay.

Tour pack

Digital Navigation App with routes & tour info (paper maps on request at time of booking). Recommendations for the best places to visit, eat and drink along the way.

Starting / Departing Location

Galway City (we will collect you in Galway to bring you to Connemara and also bring you back to Galway at the end of the trip)

Luxury Cycle Tour Accommodation

You are opting for a luxury bicycling tour in Ireland and your hotels at the end of each day are handpicked to represent the most luxurious, welcoming, comfortable, and authentic accommodation in castles or manor houses. Each one has character, charm, a magnificent setting and excellent standards of service. Their spas offer the pinnacle of relaxation and care, the perfect way to be pampered after a rewarding bicycle ride. And their restaurants are home to award-winning chefs, sophisticated dining rooms, and well-stocked cellars, all ready to provide you with gourmet meals using the best of local produce.

The Lodge at Ashford Castle

Nestled within the breathtaking 350-acre Ashford Castle estate in County Mayo, The Lodge at Ashford Castle offers a luxurious yet relaxed country house experience in one of Ireland’s most scenic locations. Originally built in 1865 as the estate manager’s residence, the Lodge seamlessly blends historic charm with modern comfort, providing guests with a unique getaway filled with warm Irish hospitality.

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel

This beautiful Castle Hotel has been home to the Martyn family of Galway before being owned by a Maharajah, and then becoming a hotel. The hotel owns the rights to the river and fly-fishing for salmon and sea-trout is very popular. It has won many awards for the cuisine, the service and is just simply stunning, yet still very relaxed.

From €2,600

Frequently asked questions

Information about self-guided luxury bicycling tour in Ireland

Pricing

How much does a cycling holiday in Ireland cost?

It depends. But our 3 night tour starts from €800 per person and our 7 nights tours start from €1,500 per person. Luxury tours with castle and country house accommodation start from €2,950. Prices include Trek bike hire, ensuite accommodation, and full Irish breakfast daily. Luggage transfers and e-bike upgrades are available as add-ons.

What is included in the tour price?

Every tour includes a quality Trek bike fitted to you personally, ensuite accommodation at hand-picked guesthouses and small hotels, full breakfast each morning, digital navigation with route notes, a day-one local guide briefing, ferry tickets, transfers, luggage transfers (unless otherwise specified) and on-call support throughout.

Are luxury cycling tours significantly more expensive?

Luxury tours carry a higher price reflecting the accommodation — historic castles, country manor houses, and boutique hotels rather than guesthouses. Our luxury tours start from €2,950 per person. For guests celebrating a honeymoon, milestone anniversary, or special birthday, most tell us it was worth every cent. Bespoke private luxury tours can be designed around any budget — contact us directly.

Is a booking payment required to book?

Yes — we take a booking payment of €100 per person to secure your booking, with the balance due closer to your start date. Contact us directly to discuss availability and we'll confirm the payment schedule. We accept all major cards including through our secure Stripe payment system.

Are there any hidden costs I should know about?

No hidden costs. Dinners, lunches, and personal spending are not included — you're free to eat where you like each evening, and our route notes include recommendations for the best local restaurants and pubs. The only decisions to make upfront are which bike to choose. Everything else is clear from the start.

How to Book

How do I make a booking?

The best way to start is to email us at tours@greenmarblecycletours.com with the tour you're interested in and your preferred travel dates. We'll check availability, confirm the start date, and if you're happy to proceed, send you a payment request for the booking deposit of €100 per person. Simple as that.

What if I'm not sure which tour to choose?

Email us anyway. Tell us your dates, number of people, room requirements (double, twin, or single), and a comfortable daily cycling distance and we'll design a tour around you. We typically come back within 24 hours, though complex itineraries, large groups, or enquiries during our busiest months of February, March, and April may take a little longer.

How do I pay for my cycling holiday?

We accept card payments via Stripe — secure, straightforward, and the most common method. Bank transfer is also available for guests who prefer it, and wire transfers work fine for guests booking from the US. We'll confirm all payment details when we correspond by email and nothing moves forward until you're completely happy.

When is the final balance due?

Final payment dates are linked to your tour start date: April tours by 1 March, May and June tours by 31 March, July tours by 30 April, August tours by 31 May, September tours by 30 June, and October tours by 31 July. We'll remind you well in advance and send a payment request at the right time.

What information do I need to provide when booking?

We'll ask for guest heights for correct bike sizing, bike type preference, dietary requirements to pass on to your accommodation, and a contact phone number for the road. We'll ask for these at the right stage of the booking process — you don't need to have everything ready on day one.

What do I receive after making a booking?

Once your deposit is received we confirm your booking and provide advice on what to bring, how to get to the start of your tour, and how to get home from the finish point afterwards. After final payment is received, we send full accommodation details for every overnight stop on your tour.

What happens just before the tour starts?

We reconfirm your day-one meeting time with your local guide for bike fitting and tour briefing. At that meeting we provide a support phone number, walk you through the navigation app, fit and adjust your bike, and make sure you have everything you need before you set off. It's a relaxed, thorough start to the trip.