15 Day Wild Ireland and Isle of Man TT Races

Collection form your hotel/airport, bringing you to our Celtic Rider station.

Collect bike(s), then enjoy our safety orientation course, receive your Celtic Rider merchandise.

Ride out with one of our Celtic Rider team to accustom you to our roads, signage, roundabouts etc….

From Celtic Rider you will make your way to Doolin, County Clare for the evening. En route a visit to Poulnabrone dolmen, a 4200BC portal tomb is optional.

When you arrive you can check into your hotel and relax for the evening after first riding to the famous eight wonder of the World, the Cliffs of Moher.

Departing Doolin the ride along the coast to Murrooughtoohy and Blackhead is simply mind-blowing. A short few miles into todays ride brings you to Murrooghtoohy, watch out for the sign on your left and park up.

Murrooghtoohy is unique in all the world, a limestone beach, part of the Burren National Park, covered in millions of boulders from the Ice age, beautiful wild orchids grow profusely among fissures in the rock, and the ocean is just a short 400 metre walk

Skirting around Galway city todays ride is magical as it takes you through an ancient hauntingly beautiful landscape, a wilderness of moorland and brooding mountains, Connemara National Park.

Onwards to Clifden Town, nice traditional Irish town, good place to stop for lunch. From Clifden Town you will ride the aptly named ‘Sky Road’ with beautiful sea views.

Next must visit place is Kylemore Benedictine Abbey, set amongst a stunning backdrop, amazing gardens and good restaurant.

Onwards to Leenane, Irelands deepest fjord, Killary harbour, than ride the stunning Doo Lough Mountain Pass and on to Westport town, voted best town in Ireland, good food and Irish traditional music await you in the local pubs.

Leaving Westport for Donegal todays ride takes you through the most remote part of Ireland, Ballycroy National Park.

Please visit Ballycroy National Park visitor and information centre, like all visitor centres in Ireland, this place is beautifully designed and staffed by local people, very willing to inform tourists about the history and landscape of this outstanding wilderness of moorland, with the Nephin Beg Mountains in the distance.

Visit Drumcliff, the burial place of W.B. Yeats, Irelands most beloved poet and storyteller. The mighty Benbulbin, a table top mountain, dominates the skyline in the background.

From here continue onto Donegal town. Donegal is known for its woollen mills, and here you will find the Foxford and Magee Wool shops. The Magee wool factory is located close by if you are interested in touring the factory. Also, check out Donegal Castle, conveniently located on the town edges.

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

Check into Donegal accommodation.

Ride to the highest sea cliffs in Europe, the majestic Slieve league cliffs, stunning Atlantic views and awesome ride up.

Leaving Slieve League for Carndonagh on the Inishowen Peninsula, you first head for the wild Glenveagh National Park and Castle.

Wild Irish red deer roam freely in Glenveagh National Park, as do Golden Eagles.

Entering Glenveagh National Park, note the towering mountains around you, most noticeable is Mt. Errigal, a quartzite capped mountain.

From Glenveagh visitor centre, take the dedicated mini bus to Glenveagh Castle, along Derryveagh Lake, a stunning castle, a very interesting guided tour.

Ride onwards to Carndonagh town, on the wild Inishowen peninsula, the highest part of Ireland.

Follow the route on your Garmin, your first stop is Five Fingers Strand, the largest sand dunes in Europe.

Continue north to Bamba’s Point in Malin Head, the most northerly part of Ireland, enjoy awesome sea views.

Ride on to Fort Dunree, a magnificent military museum towering over and overlooking Lough Swilly.

Next is the magical Mamore Mountain Pass, with wonderful ocean views from the viewing area.

Stopping at the Glenevin car park in Clonmany Village, take the short walk along an ancient gorge to view Glenevin Waterfall.

Next must visit place is Doagh Famine village in Doagh Isle, an authentic small Irish village, see for yourself what life was like during the 1840s in Ireland.

Continue to Carndonagh accommodation.

Departing Carndonagh for Belfast today’s ride is along the A2, the famous North Antrim coastal causeway route.

Optional visit to the Giants Causeway, a Unesco heritage site. A bit commercialised but worth walking the Unesco Site as it is a World renowned natural wonder.

Optional stop at Ballintoy Harbour (Game of Thrones) and again at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. There is a 10 minute walk to this sea stack over a narrow foot bridge.

For the very adventurous, a short detour from Cushendon to Torr Head can be added, but bear in mind that the road is a single track with steep inclines and sharp turns.

Great views of Scotland can be seen from here (Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre) across the Irish Sea.

Onwards to accommodation in Belfast city.

I highly recommend the black Taxi tour, a political tour of the city, this takes around 90 minutes, it will leave a lasting impression on you.

The cathedral quarter in Belfast is great for socialising, with a good choice of pubs, and several pubs also serve good food. Whites bar, opened in 1630, on Winecellar street is amongst the bars I recommend to try out.

Check into your accommodation, your ferry will be early next morning.

Arriving into Douglas early this morning, make your way to your nearby accommodation. Check in and relax, enjoy breakfast. Today marks the beginning of race week, with the first race starting at 11am, the RST Superbike Race, followed by the Sure Sidecar TT Race at 2pm. Make your way to the starting line, called Bray Hill. The bottom of Bray Hill has great viewing points of racers accelerating away over Ago’s Leap.

Other spectacular viewing points are outside the pub at Quartersbridge, Union Mills- get there early! The Hawethorn is a very fast part of the course, also Barregarrow hosts a very fast left hand curve but viewing is very limited. From Ballaugh Bridge you’ll see riders speed away after taking the bridge and being momentarily airborne! You can view here from the Raven Hotel or the opposite side of the road (which does have the better viewing point). Also, viewing from the Quarry Bends at the Wildlife Park car park entrance is spectacular. You must also try the Sulby Crossroads, here there is no shortage of atmosphere with the Sulby Glen Hotel being one of the busiest venues. Offering good food and beverages, this area offers you the chance to see some high-speed action as the bikes tear up on the straight! Another spectacular viewing point is the Gooseneck and Guthries. From this area you can take a hike up towards Gutheries Memorial and take in the coastal views of Scotland and the Cumbrian Coast.

Back to your accommodation, relax and dinner.

Restaurants to try out that are nearby to your accommodation include Artisan, 14North, La Mona Lisa, L’Experience, Portofino, and Little Fish Café. Note that some of these restaurants may have to be reserved, I advise you to choose one and reserve a table for tonight.

After a truly exciting and very long first day we recommend that you take in some scenery. We recommend that you buy a transport ticket, this gives you access to the bus, Electric Tram, Steam Train and Horse Tram!

Also, a must see while you are in the Isle of Man is the Snaefell Wheel and the Great Laxey Wheel, also known as the Lady Isabella. The Laxey Wheel is over 72 foot in diameter, dating back to 1865. It is the largest working water wheel in existence and definitely worth viewing. If you are getting here by train use the North Electric Train, hop off at Laxey and take the Snaefell Mountain Railway there. This is also shown in Day 5, although I recommend using Day 5 to stay on the train and continue to the end of both lines, North and South.

The Isle of Man is rich in ancient heritage sites and burial grounds. There are 141 listed ancient monuments across the island, the parish of Maughold in the NE of the island produced the largest collection of crosses and slabs in the 6th-13th Century.

The Manx Transport Museum is located in Peel, on the East of the island. This is a free entry, must-see for all riders, as all transport memorabilia both past and present is on view in the newly renovated building.

Today you’ll witness the Monster Energy Supersport Race starting at 10.45am, followed by the RL 360 Quantum Superstock TT Race at 1.45pm. Again check out some of the great viewing points, and soak in the atmosphere.

Planning today you can go South by Steam Train, which leaves from Douglas every two hours from 9.50am and finishes at Port Erin. Along this coastal route you can hop off at Ballasalla and view the ancient monastery of Rushen Abbey. Take a leisurly strool along the river to Silverdale Glen which has a lovely café and boating lake. Further down the line is Castlwtown, where you’ll find four unique heritage sites; Castle Rushen, the Nautical Museum, the Old Grammar School and the Old House of Quays. Here you will find restaurants along with shops and pubs. Coming to the end of the line is Port Erin. Stoll along the harbour, enjoy the café’s, restaurants or take a break on the sandy beach. Of course this route can be taken by bike also.

Heading North by Electric Train, this trains sets off quite often. Take the train at the north of Douglas promenade. Taking you to Ramsey, where you will see the impressive boating lake at Mooragh Park. Passing through Groudle Glen, home to the restored Groudle Glen Railway and making your way to Laxey. I recommend you hop off at Laxey and walk the Mines Trail, which includes the Great Laxey Wheel and the Great Laxey Mine Railway. From here you can also visit the Snaefell Wheel (if you have not already visited it). Further up the northern line the tram stops at Dhoon Glen, Glen Mona, Ballaglass and Cornaa; all are worth strolling around and visiting the café’s, beaches and glens. Further on stops include Ballajora, Dreemskerry, Lewaigue and Belle Vue. Each of these stops are convenient for visiting Maughold Church, Maughold Head and the beaches of Port Mooar and Port Lewaigue. When you reach the end of the line you’ll be in Ramsey, a few minutes walk out of town will bring you to two famous attractions; The Grove Museum of Victorian Life and Milntown House.

Monster Energy Supersport TT Race at 10.45, followed by the Bennetts Lightweight TT Race at 1.45pm, followed by the SES TT Zero Race at 4.25pm.

Again, check out some of the advantage points today, make your way around the 38Mile track and settle yourself in for a great day of racing.

The Isle of Man coastline circles the island for 95 miles. The west coast offers some great wildlife sightseeing opportunities, with boat rides to see basking sharks, seals, whales and dolphins, this is something that I really recommend you do. There are 12 chartered boat companies, email us for information. Another option for those interested in diving. Renowned for its clear waters and underwater wildlife, the Isle of Man is hugely recognized as one of the finest areas for diving in the British Isles. Contact Discover Diving or Mann Scuba Diving. Other water adventures include sea kayaking. Contact 7th Wave or The Adventure Centre.

Today is the final race day, the Sure Sidecar TT Race starts at 10.15am, followed by the PolkerStars Senior TT Race at 12.45pm.

Again, make your way around the track, settle yourself in for the final day of World class racing.

As today is your last day on the island I recommend that you take in the last of the local sightseeing, enjoy lunch on one of the local restaurants and pack for your trip back to Ireland. You will surely be leaving the Isle of Man with a head full of great memories!

You can stay in your hotel until later that evening, the ferry will leave Douglas and arrive into Belfast late that night. When you get to Belfast make your way to your accommodation.

Today you will leave Belfast and make your way back to Celtic Rider. After a long trip be sure to take your time. When you arrive back at Celtic Rider you will be greeted with tea/coffee and a warm welcome. Your Certificate of Completion will be printed for you, and we will then drop you back to your hotel.