seeking bike touring route advice in ireland - which region?

[bobbiedobbs]

Cycling in Ireland for two weeks in September - trying to pick the best region. Early research has as semifinalists: Dingle Peninsula/Ring of Kerry OR Conemarra/The Burren/County Clare (including Aran Islands). Other possibility is Antrim coast in Northern Ireland. Our criteria: hills OK but keep it reasonable, less touristy, scenery (dramatic views/super green pastures), more "Irish". Please weigh in. We are going self-guided and are getting some Ireland cycling books for specific routing ideas. Mostly want to decide now on a region.  If Connemara, routing ideas?

[geegee]

Depending on your pace, it is possible to do 2 of those 3 areas in two weeks if you take the train in between. My favourite area was the southwest (Dingle and the Ring of Kerry), a bit hilly but not so tough. In contrast, riding through the Glens of Antrim is fairly flat along the coastal road.

If you have a choice, look into flying into Shannon and out of Dublin (or the other way around) so you can experience more without backtracking

[tonythomson]

I really enjoyed the Ring of Kerry but where ever you go in Ireland you'll have a great time.  Take water proofs and something for a head ache if you go to a locals bar!  Plenty of B&B's and Hostels if you don't want to camp.  Be prepared to wave a lot.
Have a great time

[jkline]

We just got home from a six week tour of Ireland.  We started in Cork and hugged the coast up to Galway...went north to Sligo and then headed inland to Birr...and on to Dublin before heading south back to Cork.  It was a fantastic trip...a little wet...but thats Ireland. 

[Galloper]

If you're starting from Dublin, make your way south through the Wicklow Mountains (which are more hills than mountains), have a gentle potter through Wexford and on into Waterford.   Curl up into Tipparary and enjoy the Comeraghs and make sure you visit Clonmel.   Then head back towards Dungarven on the coast and on into County Cork.   Kerry is nice but the Ring can be a little touristy.  Clare is lovely and if time permits, wander gently through Limerick and up the Shannon before a gentle ride into Galway.

I think what I'm saying is it doesn't really matter where you go, it's all good and the small country roads are generally pretty quiet.

[neil]

I'd start in Cork and head west along the coast.
There are 2 peninsulas below the Ring of Kerry and I'd do both of these.
The Ring of Kerry is full of traffic, don't do the Northern part as it's dull and full of traffic, there is a road that cuts inland through the mountains and is very pretty, this will take you to Killarney.

I wrote 2 guidebooks 10 years ago for Harper Collins on this area of Ireland and it is beautiful and in 6 weeks in Irelabnd have had one wet day - luck of the Irish

You might be able to find it, otherwise Cicerone have written a book last year and they publish good guide books

    Cheers
       Neil