Difficulty Rating : 6 Start : MALAHIDE DUBLIN Finish : DUBLIN Terrain : A mainly low lying terrain with gentle climbs. Afternoon of Day 2 and afternoon of day 3 do have climbs Daily Average : 35-75km Weekly Average : 266-286km Tour Type : Self Guided Teaser : This tour takes you through some of the most historic areas in Ireland.
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This tour takes you through some of the most historic areas in Ireland. From the 5000 year old burial chambers at Newgrange to the stately Trim and Malahide Castles.

The route takes you out of Dublin on quiet back roads, through the farm lands that service the city, to the beautiful and historic Boyne Valley. On roads undiscovered by tourists the route heads north through the spectacular Cooley Mountains to the medieval town of Carlingford. Returning to Dublin through the rich pasture lands of Meath and Kildare the route passes the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland at Tara.

There is a mixture of hilly and flat roads on this tour. Leaving and approaching Dublin the roads are largely flat but are hillier further north.

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Itineraries

Day 1

Malahide, County Dublin

The tour starts with an overnight stay in this attractive Dublin seaside village.

Day 2

Malahide ~ Drogheda (55 kms)

You leave the picturesque seaside village of Malahide following the shores of the swords estuary past flocks of wild birds into the north Dublin market gardens which provide much of the city’s vegetables. Keeping to quiet undiscovered roads you arrive at the river Boyne where head to the historic town of Drogheda, a bustling place with plenty of bars and restaurants.

Day 3

Drogheda ~ Carrickmacross (35kms)

Today you cycle to the historical highlight of the tour, the Newgrange Burial Chamber. This UNESCO World Heritage site is more than a passage tomb. At over 5000 years old its design, construction and astrological complexity defy comprehension. Heading into the undulating pasture lands with views of the Cooley mountains appearing and disappearing as you travel to our accommodation

Day 4

Carrickmacross ~ Carlingford (67kms)

On pleasant, mostly flat roads through rich dairy lands, our route winds its way through sleepy villages to the Cooley peninsula with its stone walls and forest shaded lanes. You cycle to the northern side of the peninsula with the spectacular panorama of Carlingford Lough and the Mountains of Mourne sweeping down to the sea (as in the famous song) towards the medieval village of Carlingford.

Day 5

Rest day in Carlingford

Carlingford is a wonderful place for a rest day. There is an adventure centre which can organise all manner of activities from gentle strolls to high wire, from a quiet paddle in a kayak to abseiling on the mountain. Or you could wander around the many historic buildings, punctuating your tour with visits to some of the village’s cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Day 6

Carlingford ~ Trim (54 kms)

You cycle to Kells or Ceannus Mor as it is known in Irish, where the Book of Kells, a lavishly illustrated handmade copy of the scriptures penned by monks circa 800 ad, was found. Your cycle brings you through the Irish (Gaelic) speaking region of Racthcarin befpre returning to the banks of the Boyne at your overnight stop in the town of Trim. Don’t miss the largely intact 12th century Trim Castle which has featured in several movies.

Day 7

Trim ~ Dublin (55 - 75 kms)

You cycle to the Hill of Tara a site of historical, mythical and religious significance where 142 kings are said to have ruled from. Our final destinatios is teh Phoenix Park, one of the largest city parks in the world, where you can spot herds of deer within 3km of the city centre. The accommodation tonight is in wonderful harbour town of Dun Laoghaire, which has so much to offer in its own right but also a short train journey from Dublin city centre.

  • 7 nights bed & breakfast accommodation 
    ( mixture of small hotels and guesthouses ) 
  • Luggage transfer 
  • All route details and maps 
  • 24 hour service hotline
  • GPS tracks available (on request)


In 2023 Bike Rental is not included in the basic tour price.

All rentals come with a pannier, lock, helmet and repair equipment

On a self guided tour we will organize your bike hire, the accommodation and the luggage transfer. Your route details will be waiting for you in your first night’s accommodation. In the route details you will also find recommendations for lunch stops and places to have dinner. You will set off by yourself and the luggage will be transferred to the next stop by our local taxi transfers. And should there be a day you won’t be able to cycle, it is possible to arrange a lift with the luggage transfer.

You can also contact us in the office (info@cyclingsafaris.com) or on our emergency number if you need assistance.

You can start the cycling tour on any day that suits you.

If you prefer to cycle with a support van and/or guide we are happy to send you a customized quote for this.

On a self guided tour it is possible to add extra days or shorten the trip if you wish to or we can customize the route for you.

Bike rental is not included in the basic tour price

You can rent a GIANT CITY bicycles for our tours
Bikes come in different sizes and in gents and ladies style frames.
It is very important you give us your height on booking so that we can allocate the correct bike to you.

You can also rent an E-Bike
We are using EASE-E+ 2 ELECTRIC BIKE or similar please click here for more details.
We offer small and medium-sized e-bikes. Recommended body heights for our e-bikes range from 160cm - 183 cm.

Looking at a scale from 1 - 10 (1 = easiest, 10 = hardest) we are giving this tour 6 points.

This is a great opportunity to discover some of Irelands historical gems.

The route takes you out of Dublin on quiet back roads through the farm lands that feeds the city to the beautiful and historic Boyne Valley. On roads undiscovered by tourists the route heads north through the spectacular Cooley Mountains to the medieval town of Carlingford. Returning to Dublin through the rich pasture lands of Meath and Kildare the route passes the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland at Tara.

There is a mixture of hilly and flat roads on this tour.

The average daily cycling distance is from 35-75 km.

e offer Garmin files on request, but you need to bring your own device.

We would seriously recommend that you bring padded cycling shorts and / or a gel saddle cover that will definitely make your day’s cycling more comfortable. Cycling gloves are also a good investment. You can also bring your own saddle which we should be able to attach to our bikes.

We provide pannier bags (not waterproof) in which you can keep your day-to-day items. Otherwise, you may prefer to use a daypack and there are back carriers on each bike for this purpose.

We do not provide rain gear so be sure to bring your own lightweight waterproofs.

Don’t forget sun cream, sunglasses, sun hat as well as a bathing suit for that refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

Our rental bikes don’t have lights – no problem on the long summer evenings, but if you are traveling in May or September, please bring your own light or high-visibility vest.

Finally, if you wish to use toe clips please bring your own pedals with toe clips which we can attach to our bikes (the pedals on our bikes do not accommodate toe clips).

You have the option of booking different room types:

Double room = Room with one big bed for two people
Twin room = Room with two single beds for two people
Single room = Room with one single bed
Triple room = Room with one double and one single for three people OR room with three single beds
Family room = Room with one double and two single beds

If the room type you would like to book is not listed on the booking form, you can specify this in the section "other details"

n this tour you will be staying in Malahide, Drogheda, Carrickmacross, Carlingford, Trim & Dublin.

Please click here for a sample accommodation list.

On request, we can upgrade the accommodation.

To confirm you onto our tour, we require a deposit of 250 euro per person.
After your initial booking
request, we will be in touch with payment details.

The remaining balance for the cycling tour will be due
60 days prior tour start.

Should you wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written
notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including
surcharges as follows:

> 60 days before departure – retention of deposit (250 euro per person)
60-14 days before departure – 50%
< 14 days before departure – 100%

To claim the balance back, you need to send the details on to your travel insurance who should reimburse
you. Please make sure that your travel insurance covers the costs for unforeseen cancellation before
signing up.

We had a great tour! The accommodations were comfortable, the routes were interesting and easy to follow (most roads were not too busy with traffic), the luggage transfers went smoothly, and the bikes were generally good.
Overall, we were very pleased and would book with the company in future.

Kimberley & Joe Knobel (Castles & Kings self guided tour, 2017)

Be assured that we still sing your praises. You are a great group of people and, Lord willing, you will see us again

Bob & Jane P. (Castles & Kings 2012)

We had a great time. The travel accommodations were superb, the itinerary perfectly matched our hopes and expectations, all the Cycling Safaris Staff which whom we had contact with were marvellous, very helpful. Overall I would give the tour and Cycling Safaris: A+.
Thank you for helping us have a most lovely vacation.

Mary Krystine (Castles & Kings 2016)

2024 SELF GUIDED TOUR
€ 1145.00 per person sharing off peak
€   50.00 per person high season supplement July & August
€ 350.00 single room occupancy (if travelling with others)
€ 300.00 solo tour supplement (if travelling alone on a self guided tour)

Bike Rental 
€100.00     24 speed touring bike
€250.00   E-bike

Self Guided Tour Information

Self guided tours are available from 16th April to 1st October and can start any day of the week.

How to get to Dublin (Malahide):

The best airport to fly into would be Dublin  
 
From Dublin airport: 
Bus service direct from the airport to Malahide is available (Check DublinBus or GetThere.ie for more info)

From Shannon airport:
There is a bus service to Dublin city available, approx €16 per person (Check JJKavanaghCoaches for info).
Alternatively from Shannon you can take a bus into Limerick city ( approx 30 minutes ) and from here take a bus or a train to Dublin 
Then take a Dublin Bus to Malahide village

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

MALAHIDE

Oveight in Malahide is either in Castle Lodge Guesthouse or in Island View Hotel overlooking the sea. With a warm and relaxing atmosphere and a short way from Malahide Castle its the perfect way to start a tour.   

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DROGHEDA

This boutique style townhouse in Drogheda is a real treat. A late Victorian building is a wonderful place to spend an evening and short walk from the river or town centre.    

Scholars Hotel 

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CARRICKMACROSS

The Riverbank in Carrickmacross is set in idyllic countryside. This stone building offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere in a peaceful setting. 

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CARLINGFORD

McKevitt's Village Hotel is situated in the centre of Carlingford. Not far from the medieval streets of the town with old school pubs. It makes a fantastic place to spend an evening   

Belvedere house is placed in the heart of the town. Belvedere House is warm and welcoming mode B&B with a really nice restaurant . With spacious rooms with all the amenities you would expect makes this a great place to stay      

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TRIM

This 4 start Hotel, Trim Castle Hotel, overlooks the truly magnificent castle. This mode hotel has everything you could want from a new hotel but still keeps a friendly and warm atmosphere. 

Another accommodation we are using in Trim is the historic Highfield House built in the 1800s and with many peaces of original house still on display to see. It really is on of a kind. 

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DUBLIN

Haddington House in Dun Laoghaire with its fabulous location on the coast of the Irish Sea overlooking the bay. The hotel is a short walk to the harbour its a beautiful area to explore.

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Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

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Booking Form

Primary Contact Details.

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Other members of your group if applicable.

Please indicate below how many people are in your group including yourself.

Second person details

Third person details

Fourth person details

Fifth person details

 

Sixth person details

 

Seventh person details

 

Eighth person details

 

Ninth person details

 

Tenth person details

 

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.