Mizen Head to Malin Head – 2020/21

Itinerary [subject to new research in 2016]:

Day 0 – Arrive in Cork. Transfer to accommodation near Mizen Head.

Day 1 – Mizen Head to Ballylicky 

Day 2 – Ballylicky to Mallow

Day 3 – Mallow to Mountshannon

Day 4 – Mountshannon to Roscommon

Day 5 – Roscommon to Glenfarne

Day 6 – Glenfarne to Letterkenny

Day 7 – Letterkenny to Malin Head 

Day 8 – Transport to Londonderry Airport or Belfast International Airport.

Tour Price includes

Hotel/B&B accommodation
Breakfast
Vehicle support
Services of leader/mechanic
Local transfers
Route information
Transport from Cork to Mizen Head if required
Transport from Malin Head to Londonderry or Belfast at end of holiday
Mizen Head to Malin Head certificate for those that complete the trip.

Tour Price does not include:

Lunches or evening meals
Any snacks or drinks required during the day
Transport to Cork or from Londonderry/Belfast
Cost of any optional excursions, entrance fees etc.

HOLIDAY DETAILS:

The Country: Ireland is a predominantly rural country with a varied landscape of mountains and moorland, dotted with quiet peaceful villages and isolated farmhouses. It has a long and ragged coastline and much of this is spectacular, with long sandy beaches, some of the highest cliffs in Europe, and small rocky bays. The country has long been a popular cycling destination. An excellent network of minor roads link the many small towns and villages, and these offer some lovely cycling. Most villages still have at least one pub, and in many areas you can still find traditional evening music sessions taking place. The people are friendly and hospitable and Irish charm is well known around the world. Gaelic is still the first language in some parts of the country.

The Tour: This is a fully supported holiday with a tour leader and a vehicle to carry all the luggage and provide additional assistance if necessary. The trip is designed to enable you to complete the Irish ‘End to End’, while following a route that allows you to see many of the delights of Ireland while keeping to minor roads as much as possible. The total distance is just over 440 miles, and the daily mileage is 50 – 65 miles. There are no rest days. You do need to ensure that you are prepared for the trip. While there are no mountainous areas there are some hilly sections, with a reasonable amount of up and down, and some of these are along the coast which you will encounter during the first couple of days.

Accommodation & Food: This is a small hotel/B&B based holiday. Generally this is of our higher standard than on our other holidays (mostly 4* B&Bs), and all accommodation has en-suite facilities. Single people travelling alone will be booked into a twin bedded room with another single person of the same sex – unless the additional single supplement has been paid. Full Irish breakfast will be provided at the accommodation each morning. Evening meals are available at nearby pubs or restaurants.

Start: The holiday starts at Cork on Day 00. There is a choice of flights available from several airports in the UK and we will meet you at the the airport. Transport will be provided from Cork to the first night’s accommodation or you may ride if you prefer (note that the distance is about 75 miles). The transport will leave Cork at approximately 14.15. On Sunday morning there is a short ride from the accommodation to Mizen Head, where you begin the ride to Malin Head.

Finish: The cycling ends at Malin Head on Day 7. The following day [Day 8] we will transport you to either Londonderry Airport (from where flights are available to Birmingham, Liverpool or Stansted) or Belfast International Airport (from where there are flights to most UK regional airports). The coach will drop you at Londonderry at approximately 10.00 and arrive at Belfast International at about 11.00. Note: The cost of the flight to Cork and the return flight from Londonderry/Belfast are not included in the cost of the holiday.

Cycle Transport: If required we offer a cycle transport service to take your bicycle from the UK to the start of the holiday at Mizen Head, and return your bike from Malin Head to anywhere in the UK (additional fee payable).

Documents: Although British Nationals do not require a passport to visit either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, you do need to ensure that you carry official photo ID, and for most people a passport is the easiest form of ID. Nationals of most other countries only need a passport. You are also required to have travel insurance for the duration of the holiday, although British passport holders do not require insurance to visit the North. If you do not purchase insurance from us you will be required to provide evidence of a suitable alternative policy.

Bikes: All types of cycle are suitable for the trip. The most important thing is that the bike functions properly and that you are comfortable riding it. However you should make sure that your bike has suitable gears as there are some steep hills on parts of the route. Most people will require a cycle with a triple chainset. If you are riding a mountain bike then you should fit it with narrow ‘slick’ tyres. You should also make sure that you are able to carry some spare food and clothing with you on the bike. The route does cross some wild exposed areas with little in the way of shelter and no services, and you can get very cold and wet if the weather is bad.