Bark and Ride Sportive 2026

What to Expect

Bark and Ride is Irish Guide Dogs’ annual charity sportive and the 2026 edition rolls out of The Connacht Hotel in Galway on Saturday 26 September at 9:20am. There are three routes and each one is named for the landmark it turns at: 60km to Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara, billed as the beginner option, 90km to the round tower at Kilmacduagh at intermediate level, and 125km out to the Poulnabrone dolmen on the Burren as the challenge ride. Early bird entry is €45 for any of the three.

The riding is south Galway and north Clare, which means flat coastal roads out along the bay, then limestone country as the routes push inland. The 125km is the one that takes on the Burren proper. Entry is through EventMaster and the organisers state that 100 per cent of proceeds go to Irish Guide Dogs’ training programmes and support services, which cover guide dogs for people who are blind or vision impaired and assistance dogs for children with autism. There is a GoFundMe route for people who want to donate without riding.

Good to Know

• Date: Saturday 26 September 2026. Start time 9:20am.
• Start and finish: The Connacht Hotel, Old Dublin Road, Galway, H91 K5DD.
• Routes: 60km (Dunguaire Castle, beginner), 90km (Kilmacduagh Round Tower, intermediate), 125km (Poulnabrone Dolmen, challenge).
• Early bird entry: €45 for all three distances.
• Register at eventmaster.ie/event/Y9O2HrOFjv or via barkandridesportive.com.
• All proceeds go to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
• The same charity runs a jive and line dancing night at the same hotel on 12 September.

Getting There

The Connacht Hotel is on the Old Dublin Road on the eastern edge of Galway city, right where the M6 and N6 arrive, which is deliberate: riders can drive in, park and roll out without crossing the city. There is parking on site. From Dublin and the midlands stay on the M6 and N6 rather than heading into the centre. From Clare and Limerick use the N18, from Tuam the N17, and from Connemara the N59 then the city bypass. City bus services run along the Dublin Road corridor if you are staying in the centre.