REVIEWS
Many of you will have come to hear about my tour by chatting with a previous customer. It’s a great form of reassurance and direct referrals are my largest source of customers. The next best thing I can offer those of you who haven’t spoken with a previous customer is an opportunity to read through a few customer testimonials. In the past I presented the reviews on this website. That was fine back in the day but nowadays people like to get their information from a more independent source. You can read through over 80 reviews hosted on TripAdvisor and by clicking on the link below.
CLICK HERE to check out reviews on TripAdvisor.
Andy Shen
01:26 26 Sep 18
Have you heard the line "I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out"? Well, last week we went on a... bike tour of western Ireland, and an amazingly enlightening experience broke out. A week cycling with John is part history class, part culinary safari, part comedy show, plus a geology lesson and some good old fashioned pub-singing too. Oh, and the cycling was superb. Highly recommended. September 2017.read more
Mary Ann Apfeld
20:11 21 Jan 18
This was a marvelous tour! John was a fabulous host who accommodated all skill levels and abilities. The equipment... was well-suited for the type of riding we did and John and his crew were always ready to perform any maintenance if needed. We saw the best of western Ireland, ate wonderful meals, heard fabulous local musicians, cycled with a variety of fellow enthusiasts and stayed in very pleasant inns. Our family had a wonderful time and we would highly recommend this trip to others.read more
Sharon O'Brien
21:56 13 Oct 17
Steve and I have ridden with John and Cycle Holidays twice now and I'm hoping to do it again. John and John Joe are... very knowledgeable about biking and the Irish country side. We have been on many bike tours and this one is our favorite. You see and learn so much about Ireland and the lodging and food are excellent. I would recommend this tour to anyone seriously looking to cycle Ireland. Thank you John and John Joe for another wonderful biking experience. You guys are the best.read more
C Edwards
16:18 05 Oct 17
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.read more
Daliborka Trainor
03:57 31 Aug 17
As this was my very first bike tour in another country (well in all fairness, in any country), it could not have been... made any better! John, the owner/operated made this something extra special. A trip to Ireland has been a dream of mine for a very long time and let me be frank, the bike tour portion of the trip scared me to death. I am not an experienced cyclist to say the least and was very unsure of what I was getting myself into. The longest bike ride I had down before was about 60km and that was once before the trip. The detail and attention put into this cycle tour was second to none. Every detail was taken care of from the bikes we rode, the equipment we needed, the endless supply of power bars (or in my case the Snickers bars), the tour maps, the mobile phones (which we didn't have to use because every detail was thought out ahead of time), the yellow guide arrows (oh the yellow arrows), the excellent B&Bs chosen, the fabulous three course dinners, and the entertainment and tours! I was never made to feel bad if I couldn't ride a hill. I just got to ride in the support van with Joe or John and had great conversations with both. It was an absolute pleasure to take part in this tour and it will be my first recommendation to anyone traveling to Ireland who wants to experience Ireland in such a grand way! I wish I could only afford to come every year but sadly I can't. Thank you so much!read more
Robin Knight
14:54 29 Jul 17
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.read more
Sarah Woelfel
14:16 30 Jun 17
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).read more
Karl Gillium
20:47 27 Jun 17
As a ‘seasoned cyclist’ I found Cycle Holidays Ireland’s tour about County Clare and County Galway nothing short of... spectacular. Our group of 15 cyclists came from all around the globe and John and John Joe very quickly made us a ‘cycling family’ for the entire duration of our visit. Every detail was completely and thoroughly planned and perfectly implemented! Not only did we enjoy amazing scenery in the Irish countryside on our Specialized Cirrus bicycles (professionally adjusted to each riders’ specific needs and abilities) we were blessed to have John Joe, a local history expert, share Irish culture and history at all our incredible points of interest – and there are many to enjoy! You can choose the route and distance most suited to your taste each day. Accommodations are first rate and span the spectrum from early, local harmony, to posh, modern, and stylish… and all are located conveniently to great, local shops, pubs, and restaurants. After a fun day on your bike, you’ll get back and enjoy a refreshing shower -- and even laundry service in some hotels! Follow that with fantastic meals for even the most sophisticated palate. Don’t forget a Guinness (or two) before dinner!I’ve been on other tours with some of the best known providers… this one is superior! John and John Joe are an incredible team that ensure your Ireland vacation is a blessed memory for all times. Go ahead… sign up today. You’ll be in the best of hands! Karl – June 2017 tourread more
Cee Gee
10:45 24 Jun 17
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.read more
