Wild West Mayo - Cycling

Mayo has some of Ireland's least known and most beautiful scenery. We set out from Westport and circle around Lough Conn for the first two days before heading North to the Atlantic and the wide-open plains of West Mayo. Our rest day is on Achill Island.

Accommodations: Carefully selected B&B's, guesthouses and small family run hotels. Twin rooms with bathroom ensuite

Meals Included: Irish breakfast daily and dinner one evening.

Touring Itinerary:

Sat You meet up in a hotel close to the rail and bus station, for a welcome drink from our guide.

Sun Leaving the town on the Castlebar road, after a mile we turn onto the Western Way walking route. The
route takes us along quiet backroads passing by lakes and bogland to our lunch stop After lunch there is
some nice lakeside cycling around Lough Conn and then onto Lough Cullin, which brings us to our Hotel in
Foxford.

Mon We continue by the shores of Lough Conn to the historical village of Killala where the French landed in
1798 spreading the French revolution to Irish revolutionaries.

Tues Heading West on the coast road with wonderful views looking out over the Atlantic, we come to Ceide
Fields site of an ancient 5000-year-old cattle field system. It is the largest stone age site in Europe and there
is an excellent interpretive centre here, which outlines the history of the site. Continuing on from the centre
there is a dramatic cycle across open bogland with more wonderful coastal views all the way to the town of Belmullet.

Wed There are two main options for the day, one of which is to cycle out on the isolated peninsula beyond Belmullet and take a fishing boat from Blacksod Point across the Bay to Doogort on Achill Island. From here it
is a short cycle to the village of Keel where we spend the next two nights. The other equally attractive option is
to cycle around the Atlantic Coast through a wild barren landscape , past freshly cut fields of peat, to the village
of Mulranney and from there cycle onto Achill Island.

Thurs There are several dramatic cycling routes around Achill the most impressive being the Atlantic Drive,
with its wonderful coastal views and beautiful landscape.. You can also head to Keem bay for a swim on its
white sandy beach . For those feeling energetic you could climb to the top of the nearby cliffs some of the
highest in Europe, where you are rewarded with the most breathtaking views of the week.

Fri Leaving the Island via the bridge at Achill sound, we continue along the Clew Bay coast road and visit a
16th Century Tower House, one of the chain of forts built by Grainnuaile, a female pirate who controlled this
whole region. We then visit a small but beautifully situated early Christian monastic site, before heading to Newport for lunch. In the afternoon we return to Westport for a final night on the town together.

Sat After a final breakfast you start your journey back home.