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Cost : €549
US$879
Stg£405
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8 Day Tour Tour Dates MARCH
to OCTOBER | |
Tour Grade 2 Easy to Moderate
Accommodation
Guesthouse or Hotel

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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

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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
Irelands Weather: www.met.ie
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