Tour Reviews
Mary and I have been on a number of bike trips in Germany, Italy, Spain and here at home all over in Switzerland but the trip you planned for us tops them all when it comes to discovering backroads and extraordinary landscapes, cozy and friendly accommodations and your personal care along our route. You obviously know the type of trails seasoned cyclists like and you chose the accommodation at B&Bs with friendly hosts we will never forget. It was my first trip to Ireland but it will not be the last. Many thanks to you and Nora for taking such good care of us, for your recommendations when it was raining and help when the dots did not line up on my ebike and for picking us up for special hiking to grand scenery we would not be able to reach by bike. We will be happy to recommend you and Ireland by Bike to anyone who loves an adventurous and out-of-the-ordinary cycling tour. I feel so blessed that at 76 I was able to enjoy the whole 15-day trip
The route was certainly hilly but this reflected the tour description. For me (aged 69) the route was tough going. However, there were sufficient options to make the routes less or more demanding according to fitness. I very much enjoyed the trip and would be happy to recommend it.
Everything from booking over the internet to meeting Nora on the morning of our departure, we were very impressed with everything. Although it was biking a self guided tour, it was great knowing that Seamus and Nora would help out if needed, checking in with us at the end of the first day to make sure that everything was good. Would definitely recommend to friends or family. Well organized, well done. Thankyou !
It was a really great way to experience Ireland’s beautiful landscapes. Despite the rainy weather I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you for everything.
This was our first adventure vacation and I cannot imagine a better planned or better supported one. You did everything and more than what was advertised and we came away feeling it was worth every penny. The personal service, attention to detail, and willingness to help every customer is clear, excellent, and appreciated. We enjoyed meeting the other customers at the B&B’s or on the road, noting that they were all equally impressed with the experience.
We absolutely loved the trip and will highly recommend it to everyone. It was exactly what we wanted. The B and B’s were friendly but professional and very accomodating beyond our expectations. The scenery, routes and optional rides were all incredible. We could not have asked for a better experience.!
One of our best cycling tours ever! Hope to see you again in the future.
If you like to ride a bike and want to see a beautiful country, take this tour. It was my favourite vacation that I have ever taken. I highly recommend it!
We were so very sad to see it end—wonderful sights and even more, the people we met were a joy! We would recommend Ireland by Bike to anyone who wants to experience the best that Ireland has to offer. The logistics and information provided were practically seamless, the equipment top notch, and Seamus was only a text/call away if we needed support. This tour allowed us to see the landscape up close and at our own pace, enabling us to enjoy the things that mean the most to us. We are grateful for the opportunity to take an excursion such as this—thank you so much!
A great tour – many thanks. We are already recommending it to friends.
Brent and I have done bike tours for the past 7 years, all over Europe, and this was the most enjoyable one we’ve done so far. The people, countryside, weather and your Garmin mapping was amazing ! We will be back next year (or maybe this Autumn) for another tour and will be recommending you to all our bike friends!!
Perfect organisation, spectacular routes and great selection of B&B’s. I enjoyed my cycling trip very much and would do it all over again!!.
I would recommend Ireland by Bike to ANYONE. If you are not an avid cyclist, get the electric bike. It does take some getting used to but it was a lifesaver on the hills for me. This route thru Donegal County was the perfect length and difficulty for us, and we did do every extra route that was provided. I would encourage everyone to do all the extra routes if you are able.
Un’esperienza meravigliosa. Nonostante abbia fatto questo viaggio in solitaria, non mi sono mai sentita sola poiché ho incontrato così tante persone amichevoli – e anche animali! – lungo tutto il percorso e anche perché sapevo che voi, Nóra e Seamus, eravate sempre pronti ad assistermi. La pedalata è stata a tratti faticosa ma mi ha dato l’incredibile opportunità di visitare posti remoti e incantevoli con il mio ritmo. Ultimo ma non meno importante, avere avuto qualcuno che trasportasse la mia pesante valigia è stato impagabile!”
An amazing experience. Despite having done it solo, I never felt alone both because I met so many friendly people (and animals too!) all along the way, and because I knew that you Nora and Seamus were always there to support me. The ride was at times hard but that has given me the incredible opportunity to visit mesmerising spots and remote areas at my own pace. Last but not least, having you carry my heavy suitcase was priceless!
“We would go again in a heartbeat and will continue to tell our friends. Donegal was stunning and the hospitality incredible. Why go anywhere else?”
“If you like to ride a bike and want to see a beautiful country, take this tour. It was my favourite vacation that I have ever taken. I highly recommend it!”
“I really enjoyed the combination of landscape, scenery, sports and travelling. I will absolutely recommend it to anyone who is interested in this kind of holiday. And I’m also quite sure, it won’t be the last one for me. Thanks again!”
“Back Roads and Beyond” was our first self-guided bike tour in another country. We were doing it to celebrate a 65th birthday! Nora and Seamus organized and supported us with every rotation of our pedal, choosing excellent routes to ride and comfortable warm B&B’s to end each day. Having the luggage transferred and our B&B chosen ahead of time was so great. We could not have done this on our own. Their knowledge of the country was invaluable in every way. They were open, honest, knowledgeable and approachable.
There can be no other way to see Ireland! The Irish people were open, friendly and very welcoming. They are not jaded toward tourists but rather helpful and encouraging. We often got the side-ways nod as we cycled, the nod that says, “Not my cup ‘o tea but good for you!” Thank you Nora & Seamus!
Nora and Seamus, you did an excellent job! De manier waarop jullie zorg droegen voor ons en alles wat we maar nodig hadden gedurende de fietsreis, was voortreffelijk! We vroegen ons wel eens af of het allemaal niet te veel was voor jullie, al die zorg. We hoopten met het boeken bij Ireland by Bike op een zorgeloze vakantie, zonder geode en geregel; en dat is precies wat we hebben gekregen. Of het nu de keuze van B&B’s ,de fietsroutes of de routeboekjes waren, aan alles was te merken dat jullie deze vakanties met veel liefde en overgave organiseren. We zullen jullie zeker aanbevelen aan onze vrienden!
(“Nora and Seamus, you did an excellent job! The way you took care of us and of all the things we needed, was remarkable. Sometimes we worried if it wasn’t too much for you to handle. We hoped to have a carefree holliday, without any hassle, and that is what we got. In every aspect it was noticeable that you organize these holidays with a lot of love and care. We would surely recommend you to our friends!”)
Art and I had a most wonderful adventure on our recent (April 1-8) “Highlights of the Highlands” holiday in Ireland. From stunning scenery to quiet roads and a variety of climbing challenges, from lovely B&B’s and gracious hosts/hostesses to charming villages, from dependable bikes to near-perfect cue sheets and maps, Seamus Gallagher, owner of Ireland by Bike, has planned an experience we will remember for years to come. We were lucky that the weather was ideal (cool and dry, mostly—of course, good clothing and rain gear helped) and that we arrived in the middle of lambing season—sweet singles and twins were thriving all along the Wild Atlantic Way!
We have recommended this tour to all of our cycling friends—anyone who chooses this tour will not be disappointed!”
“We are back home in Canada and wanted to let you know that our family cycling tour as planned and supported by Ireland by Bike was exceptional.
The hybrid bikes, detailed route planning with maps and GPS, and the B&B style accommodations all exceeded expectations – this part of Ireland is so beautiful and the small towns we biked through or stayed in each had their own wonderful expression of Irish history and Celtic culture.
Thanks for the memories.”
We wanted to go on a bike trip in late May 2015, but couldn’t decide where to go – France, Italy, or Spain – maybe Ireland. We knew that the weather would most likely be great in the first 3 countries and would most likely be bad in Ireland. So why choose Ireland?
In a nutshell:
Wow! The scenery is stunning, beautiful, incomparable – especially the sea cliffs.
Seamus is an amazing host. Words do not do justice.
The weather was challenging (rain, hail, wind, but also sun).
The people of Ireland are gracious, welcoming, and they take care of you – you have to experience it to believe it!
My wife and I were on the 11-day Cycling and Walking Tour in late May 2015. Compared to other bike trips in France and Italy it was both easier (terrain) and harder (weather). We were in Donegal during an unusually cold and wet May, or so we were told. And yes, you do hear “no one comes to Ireland for the weather” an awful lot.
But regardless of the weather (or maybe because of it), people were exceptionally friendly and welcoming — almost beyond reason. At two different B&Bs when we came in from the elements wet and cold, we were immediately taken care of by wonderful innkeepers (Rosaleen in Glenties and Geraldine in Glencolmcille). And I mean taken care of: we were placed near a peat fire, had our wet clothes dried, and provided with scones and hot tea. Afterwards, all was well in the world.
Donegal is a very special place. It is a generally quiet place, visually spectacular, a little browner in some parts than expected (from the peat), and the Glenveagh highlands were reminiscent of the Alaskan tundra (a surprise to us). In Donegal town, we heard traditional Irish music in a pub (not the touristy rendition that is heard in many places) and even had great Indian curry.
Biking along the coast from Killybegs to Glencolmcille or Glencolmcille to the Maghera Beach Caves near Ardara — were among the most memorable days of our lives. But it was the hiking at Slieve League and the sea cliffs near Glencolmcille that were our favorite parts of the whole trip.
But I’m saving the best for last – and this is Seamus. You’ve probably already read that he is amazing, is a wonderful man, takes care of you, and all that. And he is all this and more. But, the impression that I am left with is this: Seamus is a truly caring man who really wanted us to have the best possible vacation. And he made it happen. For example, during a break in an otherwise rainy forecast, Seamus offered to break with the schedule, drive back down to Donegal Town to pick us, drive us the opposite direction to Glencolmcille (a lot of driving on his part), and then dropped us off at the trail head for what became for us, one of all time great hiking experiences. The views were breathtaking and this was only made possible because of his generosity (and knowledge of the area).
So, if all this talk of rain scares you a little – don’t be turned off by it. We were in Ireland during a bad patch – even for the Irish. And, in spite of it (or because of it), we experienced one of the best adventures that we have ever had.
“Our trip was a memory making experience of a lifetime. It was the first time I’ve used a service instead of travelling independently. The guidebook, route selection, high quality of accommodations and wonderful service was the REAL benefit of using Ireland by Bike. I’m now trying to talk a friend into joining me for the Yeats Country and Lakelands Tour.”
“Due to our time with you we’ve proceeded to recommend the tour to our friends who might be interested. This is, for us, the highest form of praise. We felt well supported, which was of course important knowing you were never far off. Your knowledge with the landscape was perfect. It felt like a personalized experience, yet we had plenty of leeway to explore whatever we wanted. Also appreciated your understanding of us, the aging foreign biker people, and your sense of humor throughout. And your choice of places to stay was terrific as well. You guys totally rocked this thing. Thank you, and the best of success to you in the future. Best wishes, Steve and Jenny…”
“We thank you for a wonderful trip with my family. You provided a very well put together service with wonderful accommodation selections and excellent response times to any issues we requested assistance with. I will not hesitate to recommend you to friends. Thank you again Seamus and Nora for everything.”
