Cost : €549 US$879 Stg£405

8 Day Tour Tour Dates MARCH to OCTOBER

Tour Grade 2 Easy to Moderate Accommodation Guesthouse or Hotel

Tour Highlights The town of Oughterard. Lough Corrib. Kylemore Abbey & Gardens. Killary Fjord. Croagh Patrick and the town of Westport. What's included in your tour 7 nights B&B All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite. Breakfast is supplied each day. Maps and all route details All transport where/if required within the tour Luggage Transfers daily while you walk. All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation and back at the end of the tour. Cell/Mobile phone Full back up service should you require it while on the tour

Aran Islands and the Western Way

From a walker's point of view, one can only attempt to describe the magnificent scenery that occupies one of the most beautiful areas in Southwest Ireland. We offer you an 8-day tour presenting a glimpse into a way of life that has long since disappeared from most of the country by combining parts of Connemara, Mayo and Inishmore, one of the famous Aran Islands. You will also have a chance to climb Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain. This natural terrain and unspoilt environment offers you a wonderland of sights, experiences and adventure. The people are warm, friendly and extend a hospitality, which is the spirit of Ireland.

Day 1: Travel to Galway City

Arrive at Shannon, Dublin or Galway Airport and take a bus or train to your first accommodation in Galway City.
Galway City is unique among Irish cities because of the strength of the Irish language, music, song and dancing traditions - it is often referred to as the 'Bilingual Capital of Ireland'. The city is well known for its 'Irish ness' and mainly due to the fact that it has on its doorstep the Galway Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area).

After settling in you could spend the afternoon/evening exploring this wonderful and lively place.

Day 2: Galway City to Inishmore

Take public transport from Galway City to Rossaveal to catch a ferry for the short journey (40 minutes) across the sea to the largest of the three Aran Islands, Inishmore. The island is approximately twenty-six square kilometres.
Inishmore or Inishmór (the big island), with its rich archaeological sites, thousands of kilometers of stone walls built in order to define one's property as well as to protect the small fields from erosion brought on from the strong winds. A combination of cliff and coastal walks along stretches of limestone pavement and a community still living the Celtic traditions of generations gone, makes this a very special place.
The thatched roofs of the traditional Irish stone cottages that dot the countryside enhance the rugged natural beauty.

Your guesthouse on the island will be in the small fishing village of Kilronan.
Among its many attractions is the outlet for the famous Aran Sweater.
The hand knitted Aran Sweater originated from this part of Ireland; a tradition passed down from generation to generation, which has now become the ultimate symbol of Irish Clan heritage.
Kilronan was also the church of St. Enda, the saint most closely identified with the spread of Christianity on Aran.
After settling in to your accommodation, you will have the opportunity to explore the eastern part of the island. Taking in places like: Dun Duchathair (the Black Fort), the Puffing Holes, View of Synge's Chair, remote beaches and the sounds of waves crashing in against the rocks. The perfect start to your walking week.

Day 3, Inishmore & Dun Aengus, "Walk On The Rim of Europe"

Your second walk takes you to the northern side of the island along small country laneways and green roads to reach the hamlet of Kilmurvey. Here you will visit Dun Aonghasa; one of the most important and unique prehistoric stone forts to be found in Ireland, dating back approximately 2.500 years. The trail takes you through a desert of limestone rocks that is rich in rare flora during spring and summer through the town land of Gort na gCapall (The Field of the Horses) and back to Kilronan. From here you take the ferry back to the mainland, where we will have you picked up by taxi and transferred to your next accommodation, which is situated in the Inagh Valley between the Twelve Bens and the Mamturk Mountains.

Distance: 18 km's / Ascent 220 Mtrs. / Approximate walking time 5 hrs

Day 4, Maam to Lough Inagh, "The Pilgrim Trail"

You will be transported from your accommodation to the start of your walk.
On the first section of today's walk you will pass the site of the famous movie "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne & Maureen O' Hara, a John Ford's classic movie, filmed in 1952. A change of contrast now awaits you as you start your first day in the Connamara Mountains along the Western Way Trail.
Complete changes of contrast in landscape from the previous days, as you walk amidst the splendour of the Mamturk Mountains (The Pass of the Pig). The trail follows an old pilgrim route that rising gently into the mountains, passing St. Patrick's Church and Holy Well as you travel. It is said that St. Patrick rested in this spot on his way to "Croagh Patrick", a sacred mountain that you will be passing on your way to Westport. Continuing on you will cross the spine of the Mamturk Mountains where you will be rewarded with some fantastic views both back into the Maam Valley and ahead to the "Twelve Bens" mountain range and "Lough Inagh".
Overnight in Lough Inagh.

Distance: 15 km's / Ascent 280 Mtrs / Approximate walking time 4,5 hrs

Day 5, Lough Inagh to Leenaun

You depart Lough Inagh by walking directly from your accommodation via an old road that dates back hundreds or possibly thousands of years. The trail flanks the base of the Mamturk Mountains passing some old ruins settlements as you travel. This area is now completely uninhabited and probably has been since the great famine of 1845. This is one of the most remote parts of the trail that offers you great sense of peace and harmony.
As you start to descend into the village of Leenaun you will have some great views down over Ireland's only fjord "Killary Fjord", glaciers moving off the high mountain over ten thousand years ago molded this fjord. The glacier cut a trench in the underlying rocks that was subsequently filled by the Atlantic Ocean.
Your day finishes in Leenaun, a village nestling on the shore of Killary Harbour and flanked by the mountains. Leenaun was brought to fame because of the famous John B. Keane movie "The Field", first performed in 1965. It was adapted into a film in 1990 by Jim Sheridan. It tells the story of the hardened farmer "Bull" McCabe and his love for the land he rents.
Overnight in Leenaun.

Distance: 14 km's / Ascent 85 Mtrs. / Approximate walking time 4 hrs

Day 6, Leenaun to Drummin

Today's trail takes you northeast from Leenaun to the head of Killary Fjord and across the county border into Mayo. Here you will have an option to take a short detour to visit the famous Aesleagh Falls, where the salmon rich Erriff River cascades picturesque down to meet the inlet of Killary. The falls can be very impressive, especially after heavy rainfall. You may also be lucky enough to see the salmon leap as they travel upstream to spawn.
The route takes you through wild bog lands and spars forests. You will cross the Sheeffry Hills from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Erriff Valley and pass Sheeffry Bridge, an old humpbacked structure.
Your day finishes in the quiet hamlet of Drummin, where you can relax over a pint of your favourite tipple.
Overnight in Drummin.

Distance: 15 km's / Ascent 200 Mtrs. / Approximate walking time 4,5 hrs

Day 7, Drummin to Westport

On your final walking day you will walk in the shadow of Ireland's Holy Mountain; Croagh Patrick. This mountain is a spectacular sight and many pilgrims from around the world come to climb it every year, many barefoot or on their knees. It is believed that the saint fasted here for 40 days and 40 nights, the mountain was crucial to his campaign to convert Celtic people to Christianity. You will be transported to the start of your walk. Following a small country road, the trail leads you to the wild and beautiful townlands of Bartaglanna and Glencally. Here you will have the option to take a detour to climb to the summit of Croagh Patrick or continue along the Western Way into the picturesque yet lively town of Westport with many colourful shops, restaurants and pubs.

Distance: 23 km's / Ascent 420 Mtrs. / Approximate walking time 6,5 hrs.

Day 8, End of Tour

Depart

If you would like more information please e-mail us at: info@walkinghikingireland.com

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