As we go into our 4th year in business, there have been more and more routes added to the options, so that now you have a grand total of 16 routes to choose from! You can view the options at this page, but if that is altogether too much to wade through, I would like to highlight my favourite routes, which might help you to narrow it down a little.
Routes From Killaloe
The options from Killaloe include the Hills, Crafts and Coffee tour which takes you along the Lough Derg shore to Tuamgraney and Scariff, as well as the 3 Counties Shannon tour and the Lakeshores and Uplands tour, which offer a range of distances, different scenery and different levels of hilliness. But the 2 tours which are my personal favourites are the Historic Killaloe tour and the Inis Cealtra tour.
Historic Killaloe
This is the shortest tour offered from Killaloe, clocking in at under 20kms, but it packs in a lot of highlights in that short distance. The tour starts from the Killaloe Hotel and Spa (although it can also start from any point along the route, by request). First, you head into the centre of Killaloe, where you can visit St Molua's church, which is a tiny 1100-year old building which was formerly on Friar's Island in the River Shannon, but was dismantled in the 1920s due to rising water levels, and reconstructed stone by stone in the grounds of St Flannan's Catholic church (see below).
Next, we head down through Kilalloe to the protestant St Flannan's Cathedral, before crossing the river on the old bridge, and travelling along footpaths on the banks of the River Shannon. We then cross back over the river on the new bridge and circle around Killaloe on a dedicated cycle way. At this point, we take a detour into the countryside around Killaloe, cycling along quiet country lanes before returning to the cycleway, and heading to Two Mile Gate, a beauty spot at the southern end of Lough Derg. Finally, we return to the start point via Brian Boru's fort, which can be explored on foot. On arrival back at the Killaloe Hotel and Spa, you can avail of a discounted lunch.
To read more about this tour, click here.
Inis Cealtra
The Inis Cealtra tour was added to the options in 2025, and has proved very popular. The tour can start from Killaloe (56km) or from Tuamgraney (24km). In the former case, we travel on a dedicated cycleway alongside the road from Killaloe to Tuamgraney. In both cases, we then travel the short distance from Tuamgraney to Scariff, before travelling to Mountshannon via quiet back roads. The journey to Mountshannon takes us past historic buildings and scenic countryside. At Mountshannon, we visit the Inis Cealtra Experience visitor centre, before boarding the boat to Inis Cealtra, operated by Ger Madden (pictured below).
You will then have an hour to explore the ancient monastic sites of Inis Cealtra, before returning to the shore by boat and cycling back to your start point.
To read more about this tour, click here.
Routes from Nenagh and North Tipperary
The options from Nenagh and North Tipperary include various routes which takes you to the Lough Derg shore, passing by historic churches and beautiful countryside along the way. Or you can head up into the hills, visiting the Arra and/or Silvermines ranges. Routes are also available to start from Dromineer, Terryglass and Garrykennedy. The tours which I would like to highlight here are the Lakeshores, Lakeshores and Uplands, and the Medieval Circuit tours.
Lakeshores
This tour is available from Terryglass and Nenagh, and involves exploring the Lough Derg shore via quiet country lanes.
The version which starts from Nenagh takes you to the lake shore at Garrykennedy and at Youghal, passing by the beautiful river crossing at Ballyartella and the historic Monsea church along the way. On arrival at Garrykennedy (see below) you can admire the lake views and pause for a coffee or a snack at the much-praised Larkins Bar and Restaurant, before returning to Nenagh.
The version which starts from Terryglass takes you to the beautifully quiet lakeside area at Skehanagh and Luska (pictured below). Along the way you will pass the 16th century Annagh castle, haunted by the ghost of Edward Roe O'Kennedy and the 12th Century church at Kilbarron. You will also pass a number of the spots highlighted on the 'unravelling Shane MacGowan' tour, including sites which inspired his famous song 'The Broad Majestic Shannon'. When you are done, the perfect spot for lunch or a snack is The Derg Inn in Terryglass.
To read more about this tour, click here or here.
Lakeshores and Uplands
There are 3 versions of this tour, available from Nenagh, Garrykennedy and Killaloe. In each version we will explore the lower reaches of the Arra range, which offers spectacular views of Lough Derg from on high.
The Nenagh version takes us to the Lookout, a popular viewpoint over the Lough, before descending into Garrykennedy via the beautiful lakeshore at Castlelough, before retuning to Nenagh via quiet country roads. This version involves the least amount of steep climbing of the 3 versions, and should be manageable to people of most levels of cycling ability. The other 2 version both involve a steeper climb, although with our powerful eBikes, the climbs are not as hard work as they would be on an 'analogue' bike!
The Garrykennedy version is similar, except that it starts and ends in Garrykennedy, and takes us up somewhat higher, to the Graves of the Leinstermen viewpoint, before returning to Garrykennedy via the Lookout. Both of these versions offer the opportunity for a refreshment break in the renowned Larkins Bar and Restaurant.
The Killaloe version again takes you to the Graves of the Leinstermen viewing point, before returning via a very scenic valley through the Arra range. If you wish to take the longer version, we can also include Garrykennedy in this round trip.
To read more about the Nenagh version of this tour, click here. For the Garrykennedy version, click here. And for the Killaloe version, click here.
The Medieval Circuit
This tour starts and ends in either Nenagh or Dromineer, and focusses on some of the most historic sites of North Tipperary. The Dromineer version is shorter, but both versions take in the same historical sites and beautiful lakeshore views. Highlights include castles at Dromineer, Knigh Cross and Luska, as well as ancient churches at Dromineer, Knigh Cross and Kilbarron. You will hear a little of the history of each of these sites, which date from the 12th to the 16th centuries, and in the case of the churches, you will be free to explore their ruins as well as hearing stories of each of them. My personal favourite is the churchyard at Knigh Cross, which includes the grave of one Calib Minnit, which tells of how he was 'barbrously murdered' and goes on to name his (alleged) killers. It is a fascinating story of 18th century wrongdoers and revenge, with a healthy dose of 'who exactly was the wrongdoer' thrown in!
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To read more about this tour, click here.
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