Difficulty Rating : 4 Start: Waterford Finish: Cork City Terrain: A moderate tour with hills but no major climbs Daily Average: 48-55km Weekly Average: 270kms Tour Type: Group Teaser: For this tour we have looked to our Southern Coastline for inspiration. We have mapped out what we think is a fantastic new route
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For this tour we have looked to our Southern Coastline for inspiration. We have mapped out what we think is a fantastic new route that follows the Coast South Westwards from the ancient city of Waterford to “the real Capital“, Cork. We take diversions up the beautiful River Valleys to visit the Castles and settlements once plundered by the Vikings.

The tour is one of our flatter routes and has many interesting diversions along the way from Ireland’s longest rail tunnel which is now a Green Way, to the Titanic and Tigers and some of the best food in Ireland.

Tour highlights include:
Cycling the Waterford Greenway
Visit Titanic museum in Cobh
Visit Midelton Whiskey Distillery
Great Food along Ireland’s most famous culinary coastline

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Resources Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Waterford

We meet up in Waterford City on the banks of the River Suir. This is one of Irelands oldest towns dating back to the 9th Century when it became an important Viking trading post. There are medieval streets, Viking Towers, and the renowned Waterford Crystal Centre to explore her before sampling the local speciality – the Blaa, a form of bread with its own EU protected geographic identity.

Day 2

Waterford – Waterford 49km

Todays ride takes us out along the southern bank of the Suir River passing small communities before reaching the Ocean at the picturesque fishing port of Dunmore East. A welcome break for a swim on the village beach for the hardy is a possibility and a tasty lunch in one of the cute cafes a certainty.

Day 3

Waterford to Dungarvan 50km

Todays route is almost entirely on the Waterford – Dungarvan Greenway. A traffic free, predominately flat, cycling trail with views inland to the Comeragh Mountains and out to sea across golden beaches. Along the way there are plenty of excuses to stop; Gardens to wander around, Norman ruins to explore and great cafes in which to linger.

Day 4

Rest Day in Dungarvan ( optional cycle 61km )

Dungarvan is a pleasant, vibrant town with pretty sail boats bobbing in breeze in the harbour and some of Ireland’s best restaurants and cafes dotted around the busy squares and waterside. The 12th Century Dungarvan Castle is worth a visit as is the Waterford County Museum. Both of these venues are free to enter and both feature on the Waterford Heritage trail.

Day 5

Dungarvan to Youghal 60km

We head towards the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains in the stunning Blackwater River Valley as we follow the river to the amazing heritage town of Lismore with its 12th Century castle and 13th Century Cathedral. We cycle to the coastal town of Youghal, an old Norman Walled Port Town. There is a long golden sandy beach by the town and some excellent pubs and restaurants.

Day 6

Youghal to Middleton 57km

On quiet back roads we wind our way among fields of contented grazing cattle to reach and follow the coast to the pretty port village of Ballycotton, perched over the wild Atlantic ocean. The route crosses the follows the eastern side of Cork Harbour by the waters edge to the town of Middleton – famed for its distillery and some of the finest (and most expensive) Irish Whiskey available.

Day 7

Middleton to Cork 52km

We are soon on quiet backroads passing ruined castles and crossing inlets to reach Fota Island, an amazing wildlife park with manicured gardens and good cafes in which to relax and enjoy the surroundings. We cycle to the town of Cobh where the Titanic set sail, before continuing along the River Lee towards Cork for our final night which will see us enjoying a celebratory meal and a chance to take in some music in the lively city pubs.

Day 8

Homeward Bound

After a relaxing breakfast you can continue your journey for home. Cork Rail Station & Bus Stations are a short distance away with plenty of options to other parts of the country.

? Seven nights accommodation with full Irish breakfast.
? One evening meal
? Route maps and details.
? Luggage transfer each day
? Support van with tour guide with minimum of 8 people
? GPS tracks available (on request)


In 2022 Bike Rental is not included in the basic tour price.
All rentals come with a pannier, lock, helmet and repair equipment

Guide in a support van / no cycling guide

We offer one set departure dates ( 18th July ) for group tour bookings. If we reach a minimum of 8 people on the set departure tour date the tour will be run with a guide in a support van.
The guide will meet you each morning to give you a short briefing for the day ahead. Then you can set off in small groups or individually. Each person has their own route details. Your guide will then collect the luggage and deliver the bags to the next night's accommodation before catching up with the group again.
Although the guide will not be cycling with you, he or she will be driving the support van and will make a sweep to ensure that all is well, and offer lifts to those who want a break.
This provides a sense of freedom in that you can travel at your own pace in the security that the guide is there for you in the event that you might need them. The guide will recommend places to eat and try to find out where the best entertainment is each night.
Most importantly, the guide sets the right tone to make you feel welcome to the country and to help you in whatever way possible so that each day you are free to leave your worries behind.

If we don’t reach the minimum of 8 bookings, this tour will go ahead as self guided version with luggage transfers via our local taxi companies. There might be others cycling the same route, but there won’t be a guide in a support van. However, you can always contact us in the office to get assistance and if you need a lift we can organize this for you.

We will be using the GIANT CITY bicycles for our tours.
To see the specification for this you can visit the Giant website:
Gents model
Ladies model

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.

E-Bikes
For a supplement of €100 its possible to book 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 4 points.

This is one of our easier tours in Ireland. People of all ages and abilities come on the tours, so do not worry if you are not super-fit. You have all day to cover the recommended route, and while Irish roads rarely follow a straight line, there are few really high climbs.
However in saying all of that, you will enjoy the tour more if you have been on your bike regularly before the trip!

The average daily cycling distance is around 38-50 km.

We 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"

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.

hould 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

2022 GROUP TOUR PRICE
€875.00 per person sharing
€255.00 single occupancy (on request only)

Bike Rental 7 Night Tour
€85.00    24 speed touring bike
€250.00  E-bike

Self Guided Tour Information

This tour has limited availability on a self guided basis,  please email us with any individual request.

The tour starts in Waterford City which is accessible to by train & bus

TRAINS
You can get a train from Cork City to Waterford but the journey takes 3 hours as you have to first go to Limerick Junction and then change for the train to Waterford
There are direct trains from Dublin to Waterford and the journey takes just over 2 hours
Click here for all details on the trains to and from Waterford 

BUSES
Waterford is well served by a bus Network
There are regular buses from Cork City ( and Cork Airport ) to Waterford.  The journey takes a little over 2 hours so is probably a better option than the train...
There are also regular buses from Dublin to Waterford.  The journey takes 2.5 hours so is a little longer than taking the train from Dublin!
Click here for all details on the buses to and from Waterford 

WATERFORD CITY

We will stay in the centre of this vibrant city,  in guesthouses such as Portree Guesthouse,  for our first two nights

WATERFORD CITY image 1WATERFORD CITY image 1

DUNGARVAN

In Dungarvan our two night stay is typically in the Park Hotel ,  a great place to relax for a couple of days.

DUNGARVAN image 1DUNGARVAN image 1

YAUGHAL

In Yaughal,  we aim to stay centrally in the lovely Devon Guesthouse

YAUGHAL image 1YAUGHAL image 1

MIDELTON

We stay oveight in the Midelton Park Hotel,  well located with very comfortable facilities.

MIDELTON image 1MIDELTON image 1

CORK CITY

Our final night is in guesthouses,  such as Gaish House well known for its amazing breakfast,  on the Weste Road.  About a 15 minute walk from the city centre beside the wonderful grounds of University College Cork.

CORK CITY image 1CORK CITY image 1

Tour Date Options

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

Book now

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.