Whiskey in the Jar: Éire n' Bike

Head north into Wales via a mix of main and secondary roads. Pass through the verdant, rolling Shropshire Hills region, west of Birmingham. 

Crossing Snowdonia National Park in Wales is the highlight of the day. You’re not in Ireland yet, but what the Welsh call “Eryri” is well worth the detour! The proposed route favors narrow backroads with superb views throughout—and a few surprises. We won’t say more...

On the way out of the park, stop at Portmeirion, a unique village—an architectural fantasy—where the famous TV series “The Prisoner” was filmed. The village is visited on foot (paid entry). Continue to Holyhead, where you’ll board the ferry for a crossing of the Irish Sea. Arrival in Dublin about 3 hours later. After disembarkation, a short ride to your hotel. 

Late arrival at the hotel. Overnight in Dublin.

No-flights package: you can visit the Guinness Storehouse, a city within the city, dating back to 1759. Across 7 floors: videos, sound & light, and life-size experiences! Finish in style on the panoramic terrace with 360° views over Dublin! Another option: visit the Jameson distillery, or the Windmill Lane studios that helped launch a small local band’s meteoric rise: U2.

Trinity College is the country’s oldest university. Walk toward the castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Grafton Street and its shops... and don’t forget to cross the Liffey via the Ha'penny Bridge, a white metal bridge that hosts many concerts! 

Flights package: arrival in Dublin and transfer to the hotel (included). Depending on your arrival time, you may transfer to the rental company in the suburbs the same day (not included). Otherwise, the next morning.

Overnight in Dublin.

Flights package: transfer to the rental company in the suburbs, not included (unless done the day before).

Head for the Wicklow Mountains. A national park, this region offers waterfalls, lakes and granite hills covered in peat... plus a magnificent road running through it to Glendalough. The village contains the ruins of Ireland’s first monastic city, founded in the 6th century and ravaged by the English in 1398. 

Pass through the Slieve Bloom Mountains (highest point 527m), then stop in Birr, known for its Norman-origin castle, home to a 19th-century Great Telescope. Cross the Shannon River. Pass through Portumna (with an imposing 17th-century castle) and Loughrea, before the final stretch to Galway, the country’s 4th city and gateway to enchanting Connemara. Galway is young and lively—an evening stroll through the pubs of the Latin Quarter will quickly convince you! 

Overnight in Galway.

Loop through Connemara, one of the highlights of this Irish ride. Wild and magnificent, the region is dotted with lakes, moorland and rivers. The jagged coast is punctuated with secluded coves and beaches that you could almost imagine under sunnier latitudes. An almost unreal atmosphere, combined with a sense of endless space, makes Connemara a unique, magical place. 

West of Clifden, take the Sky Road, a narrow road winding between sky and sea, with splendid views over the surrounding islands. Near the national-park area, a romantic stop at Kylemore Abbey beside Lake Pollacapall—legend says a white horse emerges every 7 years... After Killary Fjord, head back to Galway on lovely roads weaving through a true labyrinth of water and peat bogs.

Overnight in Galway.

Early start for this long and beautiful stage to Killarney. Head for the Burren coast via Black Head lighthouse and Fanore Beach, a well-known surf spot. 

Further inland, the Poulnabrone Dolmen is the country’s most important megalithic site—its star is a magnificent portal tomb with 7 uprights supporting a huge capstone.

Cross the incredible Burren limestone plateau, a stark karst landscape cut by fissures, stretching over 250km²! Back to the coast to admire the impressive Cliffs of Moher, over 200m high and more than 8 km long (paid parking). 

Leave the Burren for Killarney in Kerry, after a short ferry crossing of the Shannon estuary. Overnight in Killarney.

Cross Killarney National Park with a superb view over the three lakes: 'Ladies View'. Skirt Killarney via the narrow Gap of Dunloe road, climbing the pass of the same name through exceptional scenery (watch out for horse-drawn carts!).

Head to the wild Dingle Peninsula, stronghold of the Gaelic language. After the town of Dingle begins the Slea Head Drive, one of Ireland’s most beautiful roads! It winds along cliff tops to Slea Head, where a grand spectacle awaits, with views reaching the Skellig Islands. These waters saw two ships of the supposedly Invincible Armada lost in 1588.

The Gallarus Oratory is a small stone chapel built 1,300 years ago! Leave Dingle to climb the Conor Pass on Brandon Mountain (Ireland’s 2nd highest peak, 952m), then return to Killarney. 

Overnight in Killarney.

Early start for a big day: the Ring of Kerry on the Iveragh Peninsula. Reach its south shore after crossing Killarney National Park. 

The south coast is spectacular, with the road seemingly hovering above the sea in places. The view from Coomakesta Pass is outstanding! Further west, the route offers splendid views over the Kerry cliffs and the Skellig Islands, one of Ireland’s treasures. After Portmagee, a charming little harbor with colorful houses, head to Valentia Island (via the bridge) to admire the Geokaun cliffs, then take a short ferry back to the “Ring”. 

Further east, the Ballaghbeama Gap is a superb (and narrow) mountain road winding through lush green walls.

Arrival in Kenmare, a lovely small town at the end of the bay of the same name. Overnight in Kenmare.

Head for the Beara Peninsula, crossing it via the magnificent road over Healy Pass, one of our favorites. The postcard view is truly beautiful, with a plunging vista over Kenmare Bay!

Arrival in Bantry on the shores of Bantry Bay. It’s a pleasant little town. The route then aims for another Kerry peninsula: Mizen Head. After the adorable Barleycove Beach, you’ve reached the end of the world: Mizen Head lighthouse, isolated on a rock barely connected to Ireland by a huge suspension bridge (the ocean lies 300m below). Breathtaking! Paid entry.

Continue to Kinsale, a bright coastal town with very colorful facades—often dubbed the “Irish St Tropez”... Great shops, restaurants and pubs.

Overnight in Kinsale.

Leave Kinsale and its marina for the outskirts of Cork, then detour via the scenic Vee Pass, a Knockmealdown Mountains pass reaching 610m altitude. Beyond the ride, you may be lucky to see blooming rhododendron fields in spring.

The route descends to the Copper Coast, named after copper once mined here. Plan a picnic on the adorable little Ballyvooney beach if the weather allows. 

Then head north to Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s nicest towns. 

After checking into your hotel, stroll its medieval lanes (the “slips”) and around the castle. For shopping, this is the place to be!

Overnight in Kilkenny.

Enjoy Kilkenny in the morning (it’s quieter than in the evening!).

Hop on the bike for a final stretch on Irish soil to the port of Rosslare, in the southeast of the island.

Board the ferry and sail overnight to Cherbourg (FR), in northern Cotentin (included).

Depending on the season, departure is either late afternoon (around 5pm) or early evening (around 8pm). 

Arrival in Cherbourg. Crossing time approx. 18h. Meals and onboard services not included. Overnight onboard in a standard cabin with porthole (4 berths).

From Cherbourg, you can add 1 extra overnight stay to break up the transfer journey: on request. 

Leave Kilkenny and ride back up to Dublin. 

Ride to the rental company in the suburbs and return the motorcycle.

Transfer (not included) to your downtown hotel, or to the airport, depending on your return flight time. Any final night in Dublin is not included: please contact us.