ALL ABOUT THE TOUR DE BURREN

The Place, The Passion, The Performance

From the magical otherworld karst landscape that defines the Burren, to the winding country green roads, byways and boreens, the Tour de Burren in Co. Clare is a cycling experience like no other. And from its showcase of Wild Atlantic Way natural splendour to warm welcomes from local villages – this is an event with true Irish heart.

It’s no surprise then that Cycling Ireland rated the Tour de Burren 9.7/10 as a leisure cycle event, while members of Cycling Ireland have given the it the title of The Best Leisure Cycling Event in Ireland – out of over 23,000 sportives.

Organised by the Burren Cycling Club, the sportive is open to all participants, each year bringing together over 2,200 regular and new cyclists – united in a passion to cross the beautiful countryside in the most exhilarating of ways: on two wheels.

This year the event takes place in the picturesque village of Barefield, Co. Clare. There’s a choice of routes which lead out into the Burren Geopark before looping back home along the incredible coastal road.

Almost as famous as the event itself are the epic Food Stops which treat entrants to locally produced and prepared food. From rich brown bread and smoked salmon to the event’s famous cheesecake-nothing tastes as good as the Tour de Burren.

YOU ARE INVITED

Cyclists of all levels can participate, and routes vary in distance to accommodate everyone. All cyclists under 18 must be accompanied on the road by an adult, and cyclists participating in the longer routes should be 16 and over. For shorter routes we ask that cyclists are 12 and over.

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THE SPIRIT OF THE TOUR DE BURREN

Our legendary sportive was founded on some simple but important principles that continue to guide us:

QUALITY

From the routes and accommodation options to the facilities used and the food we showcase, the Tour de Burren has always proudly carried a badge of quality.

SAFETY

Through attention to detail, we ensure all participants enjoy an event that is as safe as it is enjoyable, and we work within safety standards as set by Cycling Ireland.

INCLUSIVITY

The sportive welcomes participation from all cyclists. Some are focused on the racing, many enjoy touring and others love the socialising and camaraderie.

The Story of the Tour de BurRen

2003The Burren Cycling Club was founded by cycling enthusiasts John Nilan and Patrick O’Donoghue. The Club has gone on to be recognised as one of the best clubs in Ireland.
2004The Burren Cycling Club organised the first Tour de Burren as a simple spin in one of Ireland’s most beautiful places. It goes on to become an annual event.
2009Sport Ireland secures funding from An Post to support a Five-Cycle Series in Ireland. Clare Local Sports Partnership and the Burren Cycling Club win their bid to make the Tour de Burren one of the Series’ events.
2014The event is voted the Best Leisure Cycling Event in Ireland by Cycling Ireland members.
2018The Burren Cycling Club returns to its roots and takes back organisation of the event, with great success.
2019Cycling Ireland rates the Tour de Burren 9.7/10 as a leisure cycle event.
2019Tipperary cyclists Sam Bennett and Sean Kelly cycle the Tour de Burren and win the hearts of Clare event participants.
2020-2023COVID puts the brakes on the Tour de Burren.
2023The Burren Cycling Club participates in the Rás Tailteann – Ireland’s famous international stage race.
2024The Tour de Burren is back, bigger and better than ever.
New starting and finishing location in Barefield.
2025The Tour de Burren will return to Barefield on Saturday 21st June 2025.