(The South West of Ireland)

This 8-day tour takes you on a journey to the south west corner of Ireland. A journey that starts on the stunning Beara Peninsula; jetting out into the Atlantic Ocean making it the most south westerly and remote peninsula in Ireland; this will be your base for three nights.
The next section of our tour takes you over the Healy Pass; a winding mountain road between Adrigole in Co. Cork and Lauragh in Co. Kerry and onto the town of Killarney; where you will spend two nights.
The final part of the tour will be on the Dingle Peninsula; a beautiful and unspoilt region; that provides an amazing insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland.
All three regions are well known for there intense greenness, endless range of mountains, rugged cliffs and coastline; sandy beaches and a stark wilderness.
You will experience the ambience of the colourful villages; the local people and traditional music.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 1
Transfer from Shannon Airport to the Beara Peninsula, pickup time 1.00pm. Or you may wish to travel down with us from Dublin and if so the pickup time will be 9.30am. Your accommodation will be in the small village of Allihies Co. Cork, which is situated on the most south-westerly tip of the Beara Peninsula. The village is almost completely cut off from the outside world by the Caha Mountains but despite it's remoteness it has a very lively, active and extremely friendly community spirit. After dinner we will have a briefing on the weeks activities.

Day 2
Our first days walk starts at Ballaghboy; from here we will take the cable car to Dursey Island, Ireland's only working cable car. It carries approximately 6 passengers or one cow and cows have priority over people, so don't be upset if you have to wait your turn! Dursey Island is a wild-bird and whale sanctuary and a haven of relaxing tranquillity. Our walk takes us westwards along a wild and remote island track, past many of the old ruined farmhouse-dwellings to the westerly tip of the island. Returning back to the cable car by the old ruined Signal Tower following part of the Beara Way.
Distance 10.5 Km, 6 miles, Ascent, 260Mtrs, 750Ft approximately.

Day 3
We will take a short ferry ride from Castletown Bearhaven to Beara Island. This is an enchanted island with its many stone circles and standing stone and once again it is a haven for wildlife. Our walk follows the Beara Way along quiet country roads and tracks to Coomastoka Mountain. The views from this point in all directions have to be seen to be believed. We will continue along the Beara Way to the most south-westerly point on the island, Ardnakinna Point and back to meet our ferry.
Distance 12Km, 7.5 Miles, Ascent, 240Mtrs, 720Ft.

Day 4
It's time to move on to a new destination and our journey takes us from the village of Allihies along the road through Healy's Pass. A meandering country road that takes us over the spine of the Caha Mountains, into the county of Kerry and onto the famous Ring of Kerry.The early afternoon will be spent visiting Muckross House, Gardens and Working Farm, situated amidst the beautiful scenery of Killarney National Park. We will take a guided tour through this magnificent 19th century house. Relax in the gardens, which is renowned for its fine collection of rhododendron and azaleas. Take a stroll down memory lane to visit Ireland in the 1930s on the Working Farm. The rest of the afternoon is left free for you to explore the town of Killarney, which will be our base for the next two days.

Day 5
The Gap of Dunloe, this walk starts at the famous Kate Carney's Cottage and takes us down into the Black Valley, which is under the shadow of Purple Mountain on the left and the Magcillycuddy Reeks mountain range on the right. The Gap was carved out many thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers, leaving behind a wild and rugged glen, Corrie lakes and small waterfalls and a beauty that is indescribable. We will stop off at Lord Brandon's Cottage for some refreshments, before continuing along by the banks of Lough Uachttarach. The final part of the walk is on the famous Kerry way that takes us through Derrynahierka Oak Forest, finishing at Galway's Bridge on the Ring of Kerry.
Distance 15 Km, 9.4 miles, ascent 280 Mtrs, 800 Ft

Day 6
From Killarney we move to the most westerly point in Ireland, the Dingle Peninsula, which is our base for the remainder of the tour. The peninsula is rich in archaeological remains, spectacular mountains, long sandy beaches, music and 'craic' Our walk starts in the small village of Brandon and takes us on an old Bog Road that leads to some of Kerry's finest Blanket Bog-lands, we will see old traditional methods of turf cutting using the spade or sleán. From there to Sauce Creek and onto Brandon Point, the views on this section of the rugged Atlantic coastline of the peninsula are simply breath taking. Our walk finishes back in Brandon Village, washed down with a pint of Guinness in Murphy's Pub.
Distance: 12 Km, 7.5 miles, ascent: 390Mtrs, 1200Ft

Day 7
Our walk starts just outside of Dingle Town in the village of Ventry, where we will join the Dingle Way Trail that takes us to the golden sandy beach of Vantry Harbour. Our trail then takes us inland following narrow country roads and lane-ways to the base of Mount Eagle. From here you will have clear views of the Great Blasket Islands, a tiny group of uninhabited islands just off the coast of Slea Head. Out walk then takes us to the summit of Mount Eagle, a short but steep climb but when you reach the top the reward is simply exhilarating. After leaving the summit we will follow an old bog road that will take us gently down to Eagle Lough and back to Ventry.
Distance 10.5 Km, 6.5 miles, ascent: 516 Mtrs, 1500Ft

Day 8
After breakfast we will depart for Shannon Airport; arriving at 1.00pm or Dublin at 4.00pm