Celtic Rider Ireland tours are officially approved by Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. We are Ireland’s first and largest Motorcycle Rental & Touring company, now specializing in self-guided car tours.

Proud Winner of National Small Firms association ‘Outstanding Small Business 2013’ was awarded to us, Celtic Rider Motorcycle Rental & Tours Ireland. We are also the winners of ‘Dublin Business of the Year 2011’.

Celtic Rider’s car rental Ireland and UK, has compiled a selection of award-winning self-guided tours with fantastic daily routes, safety orientation and great accommodation included in the price. This has taken quite some effort on our part, and is an ongoing important component of the development of Celtic Rider. It really is a most wonderful option for our clients. Indeed over 80% of our turnover is now self-guided tour packages, versus hire only. We have found from our client’s positive feedback over many years, that they were extremely happy with the routes we created, which are designed to allow overseas riders to maximize their experiences each day. Our choice of quality B&B and hotel accommodation’s is exceptional as is the location of the accommodation providers in traditional towns and villages. All cars are modern, automatic, and come fitted with a Garmin Zumo 590 GPS cradle in which each day’s route is downloaded, including the addresses of all accommodation provider’s.

Day 1 Dublin to Donegal

  • Transfer to collect car, then enjoy our safety orientation course
  • Depart Celtic Rider Rental station heading north west across the agricultural midlands of Ireland, via the N3, stopping for lunch at the ‘Lakeside Manor Hotel’ beside lovely lake Ramor in Virginia.
  • Arrive at Donegal, a bustling country town full of colourful shops and quaint restaurants and pubs, enter accommodation and check into Irish guesthouse accommodation.
  • Donegal has a 15th century Castle, ancestral home of the 0’Donnell clan, with a nice church opposite the castle.
  • Magee’s of Donegal, famous for Irish wool clothing and Irish designed produce is well worth visiting.
  • Reels Pub is good for Irish traditional music, and I can personally recommend either ‘The Harbour’ or ‘The Olde Castle ‘restaurants, however the choice is yours and we recommend that you also explore for your own gems.

Day 2 Westport to Westport

  • Follow the Garmin route up through Barnesmore gap, a smugglers haven in time gone by
  • Continue the drive to the stunning Glenveagh National Park and Castle in North West Donegal, with the majestic Derryveagh mountains all around. 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 summit.
  • Continue driving 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 drive 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

  • Travel back to Celtic Rider
  • Again, enjoy the agricultural midlands of Ireland as you drive back in the opposite direction to Day one.
  • Continue to Celtic Rider Rental station.

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

Pricing & Details – *please note that we endeavour to keep all prices as stated below, however due to certain peak times some accommodation providers costs increase and this can be reflected on your quote. All prices below are ‘From’ the price stated but more often they are the actual price stated.

Category A - Compact Car

  • €1,750 Two People, One Room
  • Volkswagen Golf, Opel Astra or simiar

Category B - Saloon Car

  • From €2,410 Four People, Two Rooms
  • Škoda Octavia, Volkswagen Passat or similar

Category C - Minivan/People Carrier

  • From €3,100 Six People, Three Rooms
  • Ford Galaxy or similar

Optional Extras

Although our chosen accommodation providers are a blend of four star guesthouses and hotels which were hand-selected by Paul Rawlins, it is possible to upgrade your package to a five star accommodation tour. Also, it is possible to request a night in a castle, on a golf course or somewhere that you can take a boat ride. Our team of Celtic Rider staff are on hand to assist with your every request, please inquire about any day trips or specific accommodation that you desire.

The Celtic Rider Package

  • Transfer to and from Celtic Rider Rental Station from either Dublin City or Dublin Airport
  • Accommodation in Irish owned B&B guesthouses of a very high standard, personally hand selected by Paul Rawlins, founder of Celtic Rider
  • Sit through our award winning 2 hour Safety Orientation Course specifically designed for drivers from countries that drive on the rights hand side of the road. This is guaranteed to enhance your overall touring experience here in Ireland and has proven to be an invaluable experience for all of our past clients.

  • You are covered with fully comprehensive insurance and we request no damage deposit for car tours!
  • All of our car tours set off with a full tank of fuel, please bring your car back full. There is a gas station only 2 kilometres from our premises.

  • All of our cars are set up with the latest Garmin Zumo 595. Our award winning tours are pre-programmed for each day’s route. You will receive a map and a detailed itinerary at the beginning of your tour.
  • Breakdown cover is included.

  • Celtic Rider merchandise for everyone! This is inclusive of a t-shirt, baseball cap, neck buff, fleece hoody, badges and embroidery patch

  • If you do not have enough room in your car for your luggage you are welcome to store your luggage at our dedicated Luggage Storage Room for free.

  • A full breakfast is included every morning at your lodgings.

Some of Our Small Print

Drivers must be over 25 years of age and hold a full car licence for a minimum of one year. If any passengers wish to drive this is ok subject to prior arrangement, we simply ask all prospective drivers to sign the rental agreement and take a photocopy of their driving license.

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions