Thrill yourself on our nine day self-guided motorcycle tour of Donegal, Mayo, Bunratty and the ‘Jewel of the South West’, Killarney. Included in all of our motorcycle tour packages is our award-winning Safety Orientation Course. This is a one hour classroom session followed by a ride-out with one of our team members for the first half of your first day.

Making your way towards Donegal firstly, tour the castle and visit some local trade shops. Traditional Irish music and dancing await you in the fun packed pubs along this nine day tour. You’ll visit five national parks, starting with Glenveagh National Park just north of Donegal. The majestic Slieve League Cliffs offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll see fishing trawlers out in the vast ocean. Ireland is an agricultural and fishing island and you can expect to be dished up some of the best cuisine that you have ever had whilst here.

On route to Westport you’ll ride through Ballycroy National Park, visit the grave of WB Yeats then ride alongside the ocean with spectacular views surrounding you on route to this yearly ‘Tidy Town of the Year’ winner. The second day Westport loop takes you through the hauntingly Moorish Connemara National Park, enjoy tea and hot scones in the Benedictine Kylemore Abbey, ride the the aptly named ‘Sky Road’, visit Irelands deepest fjord in Leenane. Following all that you’ll be visiting the lunar landscape of the Burren national Park heading to Bunratty. The town of Bunratty offers a medieval throw-back, a great evening’s banquet and plenty of fun to be had. The famous Cliffs of Moher then await you, the sheer vastness of these cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is break-taking (next stop West is America!). Hopping on a ferry you’ll then be making your way towards Kerry, where you’ll be staying in the ‘Jewel of the South West’, Killarney for the two remaining days. Killarney offers some World-class riding; you only have to read our TripAdvisor review’s to see the treasured mentions. First up is Conor’s Pass, cliffs, sea, wondrous views… this pass is top class excitement! The infamous Ring of Kerry offers a challenging day’s ride and we always say ‘Do it – It’ll make you a better rider!’ The most beautiful glaciated valley in Europe known as the Gap of Dunloe is splendid!

All this and more awaits you on our nine day motorcycle tour.

Day 1 – Celtic Rider Offices to Donegal. (2 nights in Donegal) (140 Miles/ 223 Km)

  • Transfer to Celtic Rider, attend and enjoy safety orientation course.
  • Head North west along the N3, I recommend stopping at Lakeside Manor Hotel in Virginia for lunch, a nice hotel beside beautiful Lough Ramor, 50 miles from Celtic Rider, plenty of parking space at this quaint hotel.

  • This ride briefly takes you through northern Ireland, along upper and lower Lough Erne.

  • There are no customs checks in Ireland anymore, the only difference you will notice are the speed signs are in miles per hour, not km.

  • Entering Donegal town, check out Donegal Castle and Magee’s tweed shop, conveniently located 100 yards from each other in the town centre.

  • Check into Donegal accommodation for 2 nights.

  • Good restaurants are ‘The Harbour’ and ‘The Olde Castle’

  • Call into Reels Pub, traditional music every evening, real turf fire

Day 2 – Your second day in Donegal. (Donegal to Donegal) (141 Miles/ 226 Km)

  • Follow the Garmin route up through Barnesmore gap, a smugglers haven in time gone by.
  • Continue the ride to the stunning Glenveagh National Park and Castle in North West Donegal, with the majestic Derryveagh mountains all around you.
    The Castle is set in a beautiful garden, nice to relax in for a while, have some refreshments and enjoy the short guided tour of the Castle itself.

  • Departing Glenveagh note Mount Errigal, Ireland’s most iconic mountain, with its quartzite top.

  • Continue riding along the route through wild and remote Donegal to Ardara, than ride the Glengash Mountain Pass.

  • Onwards to Carrick, than Teelin village, follow the route to ‘The Rusty’ a small old pub and just 100 metres after the pub you turn right to the start of the ascent to the highest sea cliffs in Europe, Slieve League Cliffs, at 2000 ft high.

  • The ride up is as memorable as the amazing view from the upper parking area, accessed by opening a farm gate on the way up.

  • Often there are trawlers fishing, they look like tiny dots on the Atlantic Ocean from the summit of the cliffs.

  • Return to Donegal accommodation via Killybegs, Ireland’s deep sea fishing port, very photographic coastal town.

Day 3 – Donegal to Westport (2 nights in Westport) (156 Miles/ 250 Km)

  • Departing Donegal head south , Drumcliff is where Ireland’s beloved poet W.B.Yeats is laid to rest. Benbulbin table top mountain dominates the skyline
  • Must visit is the ‘Ceide Fields’ visitor centre, the oldest and largest stone walled village in the world, 5200BC.

  • Ride south through Ireland’s most remote area, from Bangor ride Ballycroy National Park, please stop at the Ballycroy visitor centre, Europe’s largest expanse of blanket bog, local people working there will happily tell you the history of this region.

  • View the Nephin Beg Mountains and look out for local people cutting turf.

  • The ride to Mallarany is spectacular as it winds along the sea.

  • There is a nice Abbey, Burrishoole Abbey, between Mallaranny and Newport, optional, and saved in your Garmin in favourites, worth visiting.

  • Check into Westport accommodation for 2 nights.

Day 4 – Your second day in Westport (Westport to Westport) (130 Miles/ 206 Km)

  • Leaving Westport for Maam Cross we are now heading for the spiritually haunting experience of Connemara National Park, a magical ride.
  • From Maam cross ride to Roundstone coastal village than continue to Clifden.

  • From Clifden town take the aptly named ‘Sky Road’ with outstanding sea views are you ride higher and higher to the viewing area.

  • Continue to Kylemore abbey for hot scones and freshly brewed tea This is a magnificent Benedictine Abbey in a stunningly beautiful wooded valley.

  • Ride to Leenane village look at Irelands deepest Fjord, than ride the incredible and narrow Doo Lough mountain pass, the Gem of Mayo, with towering mountains on either side of you

  • Doo Lough Pass is steeped in history, some quite sad as many Irish people died of starvation along this pass during the great hunger, the famine years of the late 1840s.

  • There is a stone cross commemorating those who perished and a famine walk every year along this stunningly beautiful area. The words on the cross are very poignant and it is worthwhile to stop here for a short while.

  • Ride back now via Louisburgh and admire Irelands holy mountain ‘Croagh Patrick’ en route back to Westport.

Day 5 – Westport to Bunratty (2 nights in Bunratty) (132 Miles/ 210Km)

  • Departing Westport ride to Leenane than skirt around Galway city.
  • Take the N67 coast road to Kinvara village, optional visit to Dunquire Castle, you can walk up a very narrow stone stairwell to the top of the castle

  • Optional visit to Aillwee caves, a subterranean cave deep under the Burren, a great tourist attraction. Park bikes in the upper car park with fantastic views across Galway Bay.

  • The Burren National Park is unique in the world; it is a vast limestone plateau covering 400 sq kms (250 sq miles).

  • Next stop is Poulnabrone megalithic portal Tomb, many thousands of years old. You are now in the heart of the Burren National Park.

  • Skirt around Ennis and continue to Bunratty village.

  • Enjoy a four course medieval meal in Bunratty castle, or a traditional night of Irish food and dance in the Corn Barn, alternatively Durty Neely’s is a great old pub in the village.

Day 6 – Your second day in Bunratty (Bunratty to Bunratty) (117 Miles/ 186 Km)

  • Ride to Ennistymon and continue to the Cliffs of Moher, magnificent vertical cliffs towering over the Atlantic Ocean, shortlisted to be one of the great natural wonders of the World.
  • Travel onwards to Doolin, optional and exciting ferry ride to see the cliffs from the ocean, spectacular on a sunny day.

  • Follow the route north along the coast road to Blackhead, stopping at Murrooughtoohy car park. Take a walk on this bizarre limestone beach with millions of boulders deposited from the last Ice age, and beautiful wild orchids living in cracks in the limestone rock. A short walk brings you to the ocean.

  • Continue along the route to Ballyvaughan than ride to Lisdoonvarna (famous the world over for its matchmaking festival in September) via Corkscrew Hill, very tight hairpins.

  • Follow the route to Kilfenora, interesting visitor centre there, optional, continue back to Bunratty accommodation via Carrofin.

motorcycle rentals in ireland

Day 7 – Bunratty to Killarney (2 nights in Killarney) (146 Miles/ 223 Km)

  • Leaving Bunratty take the road to Killimer and board the ferry for the short crossing to Tarbert in Kerry.
  • Listowel, famous for horse racing, than Tralee and ride to Camp village on the Dingle Peninsula, described by the National Geographic magazine as one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

  • From Camp ride to Stradbally and take the road signed Conor Pass, a mountain ride with everything you could wish for as a motorcyclist, mountain, sky and ocean views, awesome ride.

  • From Dingle ride along the coast taking in Inch beach and on Killorglin, famous for its puck fair, to your destination, Killarney.

  • Killarney, affectionately known as the ‘Jewel of the South West’ is a great town, buzzing with great restaurants and pubs.

  • Check into Killarney accommodation.

Day 8 – Your second day in Killarney. Rest or ride the famous ‘Ring of Kerry’ (107 Miles/ 170 Km)

  • Either take a rest day and cruise the Killarney lakes taking in the majestic mountain views and a pony and trap ride over the Gap of Dunloe, plus a bit of shopping, relax if you wish.
  • Alternatively, ride the world famous ‘Ring of Kerry’, and the incredible ‘Gap of Dunloe’, the most beautiful glaciated valley in Europe, a challenging ride but very much worth the effort.

  • Continue around the route and deviate to ride the Skellig Ring, another awesome off shoot off the main Ring of Kerry.

Day 9 – Killarney to Celtic Rider Rental Station. (195 Miles/ 311 Km)

  • Departing Killarney, the ride today brings you through the agricultural midlands of Ireland.
  • From Killarney ride to Mitchelstown and on to Cashel and visit The Rock of Cashel, this is where Queen Elizabeth came on her historic visit to Ireland in May 2011.

  • The Castle was the seat of the high Kings of Ireland for over 1000 years, well worth visiting and good place to stop for refreshments before riding back to Celtic Rider.

  • Continue to Celtic Rider rental station.

  • We will assist with unpacking the bike, check over of motorcycle and paperwork before arranging drop off to your Dublin hotel or Dublin Airport.

Pricing & Details

Category A

  • €4,760 Rider + Pillion
  • €7,140 2 Riders Sharing
  • BMW F750GS

Category B

  • €4,960 Rider + Pillion
  • €7,540 2 Riders Sharing
  • BMW R 1250 GS, BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

Category C

  • €5,970 Rider + Pillion
  • €8,550 2 Riders Sharing
  • Can-Am Spyder F3

Optional extras

Hire of premium guaranteed waterproof KLIM riding gear is €20 per day.

The Celtic Rider Package

  • Rental of motorcycle , which includes, top box, side cases and inner bags
  • Accommodation in Irish owned B&B guesthouses of a very high standard, personally hand selected by Paul Rawlins, founder and owner of Celtic Rider

  • Award winning 2 hour long orientation course specifically designed for riders from countries that ride on the opposite side of the road to Ireland which is guaranteed to enhance your overall riding experience, here in Ireland

  • Third Party insurance, with an excess of €1,500 which is the maximum charged for accidental damage or theft

  • Full tank of fuel on departure, to be returned with full tank of fuel, tank bags are free of charge if you want one.

  • The latest Garmin Zumo 590, with our award winning routes pre-programmed for each days ride, map and comprehensive advice, prior to your departure
  • Helmet – Approved European Standard plus Richa Rainsuit

  • Breakdown cover, (excludes punctures as all bikes are supplied with repair kits)

  • Celtic Rider merchandise, Including t-shirt, baseball cap, neck bandana.

  • Free secure storage of luggage cases at our premises

  • Breakfast every morning at your lodgings

  • Not included are fuel, food, drinks, ferries, parking, entrance to tourist sites, fines, tickets or any other personal costs you may incur during your trip

Some of Our Small Print

Riders must have a full license for riding the category of motorcycles that we rent and the rider must be 25 years of age or older.A pre-authorisation for damage excess of €1500 will be reserved on your credit card on collection of the motorcycle. For motorcycles going abroad the damage deposit is €2500. This is the maximum cost charged in the event of accidental damage or theft. Your signature on the rental agreement page shall constitute authority for us to debit the final total charges against your account and your specific card-issuing organization. Celtic Rider office staff must be notified immediately of any accidents.

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions