Why Ireland is Perfect for Cycling

There are 5,306 km (8,539 miles) of primary and secondary roads in Ireland and almost 94,000 km of regional and local roads in Ireland. These small, regional roads account for 94% of the road network in Ireland (and this does not even consider roads in Northern Ireland).

For its small size, Ireland has a lot of roads – more than several European countries of a similar size. Most of the roads we do have are back roads, and many such backroads are not used often and are therefore very quiet.

The large network of roads, compared with their relatively low usage, makes them great for cycling. Not only are they quiet, but there are plenty of variations to increase or decrease your mileage, make a detour to an interesting site, or include a scenic route.

If you’re cycling on local roads, you likely won’t have to share the pavement with many – if any – other road users. Also, backroads views are usually much better. It is important to note that some of the very rural, local roads aren’t always the best maintained.

If the promise of a pub motivates you to keep pedalling, then Ireland is the perfect place to cycle. You can’t pedal more than a few kilometres without spotting a pub – every small village in Ireland has a pub or three!

The Irish pub is an institution in this country. Due to the rural and agricultural nature of Ireland, the local pub is often the focal point of village life. Not only are beers and ciders served on tap, but it’s also the place to go for a bit of ‘ceol agus craic’ (music and fun) and a way to immerse yourself in Irish culture.

So if the thought of a refreshing pint at the village pub gets you to the top of the hill, there’s no better place to bike than in Ireland. In the evenings, you might want to stay out a bit later to catch an Irish trad music session – the perfect way to end a day’s biking. Learn more about traditional Irish music and listen to our playlist of Irish tunes here.

The Irish climate is simply perfect for cycling. The temperatures here are mild almost all year round. It’s rarely more than 22°C (that’s about 70°F), and rarely colder than 10°C (50°F) by day, which is actually ideal for cycling – you’re never too hot and never too cold.

Even the rain here is rarely more than just showers. Sometimes a light drizzle or refreshing shower can be just the thing when out cycling. When it does rain more heavily, it usually doesn’t last long.

On the days where the rain is simply more than you want to cycle through, there’s always an indoor or alternative experience from museums to heritage sites, workshops, farm tours, spa days, and more. Also, don’t forget – with rain comes the beloved Irish phenomenon, the rainbow.

Irish Climate Guide

Biking is a sensory experience. Enjoy the sweet scent of the flower-lined hedgerows or perhaps spot the fauna that live in rural Ireland including plenty of birds, herds of red deer or even mountain hares.

Feel the fresh Atlantic breeze and taste the salty air as you bike through some of the freshest air in Europe – blowing straight off the ocean.

Stop along the way to walk through the soft grass of the headlands or the warm sand along the pristine beaches, perhaps dipping the toes into the Atlantic.

Biking along the coast and want to know what you can spot? Read our blog about birdwatching in Ireland and our marine wildlife guide.

Ireland is a very rural country. Populations are spread across long distances, and B&Bs are dotted across the counties, even in the most rural of places.

This is great for cycling because it makes it easy to explore the remote corners of Ireland but still have access to local amenities found in small villages. It also makes it easy to enjoy linear routes, cycling from village to village.

B&Bs are used to hosting cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts, and a warm welcome of Irish hospitality awaits you after a day out on the saddle. Ireland’s culture of small villages and rural spaces is perfect for enjoying a nice relaxing evening after a day on the saddle.