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The grass is greener on the Emerald Isle. Sheep frolic through rolling hills, ruins seem to stand and also crumble simultaneously. A visit to a village pub will fill your need for a good craic, otherwise defined as music and fun. The rumors are also true: Guinness beer does indeed taste different — more buttery and frothy. It’s great to grab a glass to warm you as you work on relaxing your hands from a day of motorcycling trekking.
There are many ways to see Ireland, but if you are comfortable in a motorcycle seat with a thirst for adventure, consider booking with Celtic Rider Motorcycle & Car Rental. Celtic Rider provides self-guided tours, a tremendous advantage to the traveler that wants the freedom to set their own pace.
The company is proud to be 100 percent Irish owned by Paul and Siobhan Rawlins. Their doors opened in 2007, and the couple pioneered motorcycle tourism in Ireland. With 48 motorcycles in their fleet, the company provides a multitude of options for every traveler. You can embark on as little as a three-day tour of Ireland or as lengthy as a 21 day trip which covers both Ireland and Scotland. The big dash of fine print is that you must 25 years of age or older and have a full motorcycle license from your country of origin.
Not a motorcyclist? The company also offers similar tours, but you will be in the comfort of a car instead. The fine print remains the same with car tour bookings.
My husband and I spent a magical five days on Irish soil, and booked Celtic Rider for a 3-day self-guided west tour. Looking back, I wish we could have done more. We’ve promised ourselves we will return! We elected to pay extra to rent weather resistant riding gear and a GPS system. We did not regret that investment, as it enabled us to enjoy our tour despite some inclement weather. My husband is an active duty marine, and we appreciated the kindness and respect owner Paul Rawlins has for servicemembers. Rawlins suited us up and gave my husband a comprehensive motorcycle safety course, which prepared us for the difference in Ireland roads and driving.
Then, we were blissfully on our own, with the open road before us.
The Celtic Rider crew waved us off with wishes for an enjoyable ride, and even despite the rain, it was one of the finest adventures of our lives. The company books quaint B&Bs for your tour, and loads the GPS with a list of choose-your-own adventure routes. All you have to do is get to your lodging by the end of the day. The rest of your journey is on you. Every traveler is unique, and Celtic Rider provides you a way to customize how you see Ireland. We loved pulling off to snap photos and wander the sights at our leisure.
I firmly believe you need to get on the road to see Ireland. By motorcycle or car, there’s no better way than on your own timeline. Without a crowd, without a stringent schedule you can let the path unfold in front of you. Our experience with Celtic Rider is that your trip can give you that freedom.
Lindsay is a military wife, mom, and writer. As a former professional dancer you can find her doing pirouettes in the kitchen whilst also flipping pancakes. She finds solace in hearing the sound of her sewing machine and a hot cup of coffee. She’s lived and traveled all over the world but believes there is always more to experience. Her blog Uplifting Anchor encourages mothers and military spouses. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
