Cost : €859 per person sharing

8 Day Tour Tour Dates 2010 Sat 15th May - Sat 22nd May

Tour Grade 1/2 Easy to Moderate Accommodation Guesthouse & Hotel

Tour Highlights Inishmore Island Dun Angus Fort The Maam Valley Maumeen Kylemore Abbey and Walled Gardens Aasleagh Falls Croagh Patrick Westport Lots of traditional Irish Music What's included in your tour 7 nights B&B in family run guesthouses and one hotel with, all rooms en-suite/private wash rooms Meals to include: 7 breakfasts and 6 packed lunches All transport throughout the tour Ferry to and from Inishmore Not included: Evening Meals Entry Fees to Kylemore Abbey and Gardens

ARAN ISLANDS & THE WESTERN WAY:

Inishmore - the largest of the Aran Islands is unique, in the calm particular sense that there is no other place in Ireland where you can find such a wealth of archaeology and culture material to hand.
The Western Way – a remote trail that takes us through the countryside of Connemara and Mayo. It is a wild place, with some of the finest scenery Ireland has to offer.
Both areas are known for their great depth of ancient myths and legends, their inspirational landscape of mountains, deep valleys, meandering streams, peaceful Loughs and forest tracks.

Day 1 Shannon Airport to the Island of Inishmore
Pickup at Shannon Airport at 1pm and drive west to the harbour of Rossaveel, where we take a ferry to the island of Inishmore.  

Day 2 Dun Duchathair& Georges Sound
Our first walk takes us to the northwest side of the island and up to Dun Duchathair, which is one of two cliff forts on Inishmore, the other being Dun Aonghusa.
Continuing along by the coastline to the western tip of the island, up Tur Martin, our high point of the day at 43M/139Ft, an old signal or lookout post that overlooks Georges Sound and back Kilronan Village.  
Distance: 10 km/6 miles, Ascent: 70 m/210 ft  

Day 3 Inishmore & Dun Aengus, “Walk On the Rim of Europe”
Today our walk takes us to the northern side of the island to visit Dun Aengus, one of the most important and unique prehistoric stone forts to be found in Ireland, dating back approximately 2.500 years. The trail takes us through a desert of limestone rocks that is rich in rare flora during spring and summer.
Distance: 18 km/11.25 miles, Ascent: 220 m/660 ft

Day 4 The Maumeen Pass & St. Patrick’s Church
After breakfast we will take the ferry back to the mainland and into Connemara to Maam Village.
It was here that the movie "The Quiet Man" was film 1952 starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.
Our walk follows an ancient pilgrim's trail that takes us into the Maumturk Mountains and up to a sacred place called Maumeen.
As we advance further west into the Maumturks the awe-inspiring views of the surrounding countryside of Connemara start to unfold before our eyes.
Distance: 15 km/9 miles, Ascent: 340 m/1020 ft

Day 5 Old Coach Road and Ruined Dwellings
We will visit Kylemore Abbey and Walled Gardens before starting our walk. The Abbey is regarded as one of Ireland’s most romantic buildings. Among the many attractions are the Victorian Walled Garden and Neo-gothic Church.
Today’s walk follows an old Coach Road northwest along a broad flat valley that is flanked by two great mountain ranges, the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks. Dotted along this section of the trail are the remains of some old ruined farm dwellings.
We will also have extensive views across Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. Our day finishes in the quaint village of Leenaun.
Distance: 14 km/8.75 miles, Ascent: 150 m/450 ft

Day 6 Erriff Valley and the Sheeffry Hills
Our walk starts in the Erriff Valley at Houston's Bridge and takes us over the Owenduff River and along by the banks of Derrintin and Tawnyard Lough. Coming out at the base of Ben Gorm where we will have stunning views back into the valley and up into the Sheeffry Hills. The trail continues along a narrow country road, through a panorama of green pastures to the quiet village of Liscarney.
Distance: 12 km/7.5 miles, Ascent: 140 m/420 ft

Day 7 Croagh Patrick and Westport
The final walk of the week takes us to the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick. It is said that St. Patrick fast on this mountain for 40 days and 40 nights in 441. It is estimated that almost one million pilgrims from all over the world climb to the summit every year. Many of the visitor’s climb barefoot or on their knees, but this practice are not recommended on our tours! Our tour ends in the lively and picturesque town of Westport.
Distance: 12 Km/7 miles, Ascent: 764 m/2510 ft

Day 8
Depart for Shannon, arriving at 1pm

Other guided tours:
• Aran Islands & Western Way • Connemara & The Burren • Connemara Special •
• Cork & Kerry • Donegal & Antrim • Glens of Antrim •
• Happy Wanderers • The Lake District • Wales & Wicklow •
• West Highland Way • Wicklow Mountains DeLuxe • Wicklow Way •