Cycle Holidays Ireland , Portumna, County Galway

"My husband and I have taken many bike tours with big, pricey companies. Our Cycle Holidays Ireland trip last week beat them all! Lord forgive me for years of wrongly equating Ireland with sappy sentiment and dreary weather and food. We discovered wondrous places and lovely people on a trip that will nourish all your senses and genuinely touch your soul. The miles slipped by on perfectly fitted, smooth-as-silk bikes through a land of astounding natural beauty and rugged majesty bathed in painterly light that’s almost surreal. It’s well marked routes on tiny roads with so few vehicles, often just an occasional sheep’s bleat punctuated the quiet. Colors galore — pastel cottages ringed in flowers, wild berries in the hedgerows, ancient rock walls and castles in every possible hue of grey. Some brief showers, but blue skies prevailed. The air is clean and soft and carries the briny tang of the sea, the sweetness of blossoms and fermenting hay, and the earthy aroma of peat smoke. With logistics and guide duties superbly handled by John Heagney, whose range of life pursuits includes proprietorship of Cycle Holidays Ireland, we savored the physicality of the ride and the “zen” of the entire experience without a care. His abundant love for, pride in, and bone-deep knowledge of the terrain, history and day-to-day life of this part of Western Ireland, his family home for generations, infuses every aspect of this outstanding trip. Our congenial group was small so John ran it alone, but had ten leaders been on hand they could not have bested the attention, support and bonhomie he offered. You can ride full ahead or hang back on the route, single or grouped, but you’re never off his radar. A tricky junction? He’s waiting there to direct you through. He’s steadfast, patient, and protective — you feel as if you’re in the care of one of the finest herding dogs of the region! John’s energy never flags, but if yours does, he unerringly knows whether to psych you up to ride on, or offer a warm invitation to take the van. He’s a witty and sincere conversationalist, and some gems from his treasure trove of stories about what all he’s encountered in 17 years of running this tour are side-splittingly hilarious. His beautifully sung, “The Parting Glass” brought the longest and loudest applause of the night from the crowd at our pub visit, and rightfully so. He’s a man you’d be grateful to have as a neighbor, honored to have as a friend, and most fortunate to have as your guide. Good lodgings throughout, great showers with ample hot water, and laundry service at the 2-night hotels let you pack light. Dinners are at a top-rated restaurant in each town and the food is beyond belief. The freshest local meats, fish, shellfish and vegetables are artfully prepared and presented, with a variety of beers, wines, and ciders to try. Lunch stops, including low-lit, cozy pubs, offer rich seafood chowders with just-baked brown bread. The tea and scones at Ballynahinch Castle were royally excellent! I wasn’t surprised to learn that people take this tour again and again. Some day we may join their ranks. Don’t be afraid to bypass the big guys. You won’t find a better bike tour, or be in better hands while on it, than with Cycle Holidays Ireland."

"Fantastic cycling tour of western Ireland! The scenery was gorgeous, rain or shine. John and John Joe are beyond awesome and do a magnificent job of offering a variety of cycling routes that accommodate all participants. John made sure that each of us were given the opportunity to cycle within our capabilities and desires and made sure that each member of the group was comfortable with their cycling experience. John and John Joe provide a great historical overview of Ireland, with many interesting facts, particularly about the western areas and the Galway area where both engaging leaders grew up. The accommodations and food were very good and each place we stayed had its own particular charm. We had a magnificent group, all of whom got along and enjoyed each other's company. Having been on a number of group tours, I think it is a tribute to the leaders when the group meshes and has fun together in spite of the differences in their participation abilities. I would highly recommend this trip!"

"You won't go wrong if you book with John! John and his cohorts (Paddy, in our case) will go the extra mile to make sure you get the most out of this trip. We were 8 from Edmonton of varying cycling abilities and interest and everyone came away happy. John has researched this route for 17 years and continues to tweak it and buy great equipment - plus he is so funny that his stories will almost have you falling off your bike as you think about them as you ride! The only advice I'd have is (a) most people were happy with storage provided in handlebar bag, but I found it made my steering more difficult and switched to a small backpack that I'd brought along (b) come ready to eat lots! The Irish breakfasts are huge and will easily tide you over a day of cycling - plus John provides granola bars, Energy bars and chocolate bars as needed. I personally didn't want to stop for lunch as I find it too hard to get cycling again, but most people did stop to enjoy local pubs along the way. Suppers are huge and scrumptious, so save some room! Accommodations along the way were superb and friendly people were everywhere! Three of our group were returnees for a second trip with John and now I know why! This outfit is owned and operated by John, who really knows his Irish history and folklore and is passionate about his country and cycling. Thanks so much, John and Paddy at Cycle Holidays Ireland."

"Our family had the best time on Cycle Holidays Ireland. We rode 35 to 50 miles per day through the beautiful wonders of Ireland's West Coast. The bikes were fantastic, the group was so much fun, the accommodations and food were perfect and the memories made were the absolute best. Most importantly, the tour guides John and John Joe made the trip A++. John knows exactly how to lead a group of 20 through the countryside of Ireland on great equipment and is so helpful and supportive of all of his guests. John Joe is the perfect complement to him as he is an expert in the country's history. This trip is an amazing combination of cycling/fitness, history, scenic wonders, delicious food, great company and an abundance of fun. Would highly recommend this trip for individuals, couples or families (with adult children)."

"If you are considering a cycling holiday, then I highly recommend Cycle Holidays Ireland. They operate on the West Coast of Ireland, and that entire area is simply stunning to ride through. So much so, that it ruined the rest of my holiday because I kept comparing all the other places I visited to this area of Ireland. From sweet country lanes, to the eerie yet beautiful Burren (pronounced Brrn, ignore the vowels), and the breathtaking coastlines around Ballyvaughan. It was all so so pretty. John and his team do an amazing job of organising these tours; the towns where we stayed were beautiful, the accommodation they selected fantastic, the cycling routes and ride options cater to all abilities, and having someone with an extensive knowledge of the local area and history (thank you John Joe) was like the cherry on top. I cannot fault any of it. Most importantly, the level of support is outstanding, we felt we were in safe hands all the way through."