A storybook walk through Ireland’s emerald countryside

Come visit Ireland’s best walking country and the heartland of Gaeltacht, where English is understood, but the ancient Gaelic language still rules. We’ll get an in-depth look as we spend a week hiking Connemara’s wonderful long-distance trails, some of them old packhorse roads or ancient routes between early Christian settlements.

We’ll wander past picturesque whitewashed cottages and old stone walls; through glens, bogs and moorland, and colorful coastal villages. From open hilltops, there are always views across green valleys to wild and rugged mountains, forests and rivers. At the end of each day, you will relax and enjoy the local cuisine and brew.

Click here for all our UK Travel & Adventures

Click here for all Western Europe Travel & Adventures with MTS!

Activities

7 Days of easy to moderate day hiking.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the Emerald Isle's idyllic countryside via its excellent long-distance trails
• MTS guide David Lunn's in-depth knowledge of Irish culture and history will make this trip come alive
• End your days with a relaxing pint of local brew, a helping of local cuisine, and a good dose of pub culture

Duration: 8 days Start Location: Shannon End Location: Dublin

BRIEF Itinerary

• 

  Day 1 : Cliffs of Moher

  Departing from Shannon, we drive through County Clare to the Atlantic coast at Liscannor Bay, and visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Continue to Doolin, where we take a small ferry to the famous Aran Islands, where the old Gaelic tongue is the first language of the inhabitants. We'll take an island tour of Inishmor that includes a visit to nearby “clochans” (ancient stone dwellings), as well as the spectacular Iron Age fort of Dun Aegus, before continuing by ferry to Galway.

• 

  Day 2 : The Western Way

  The city of Galway, once a prosperous trading port, is now one of Europe’s fastest growing cities. After a visit to the new Cathedral, built on the former site of a notorious prison, we transfer to Oughterard on the shore of Lough Corrib. For our first hike, we’ll take the Western Way and walk a country lane along the shores of Ireland’s second largest lake. We follow trail markers to help us find our way through an area of peat bog, and observe how the peat is cut and dried before being burned in the cottage fires.

• Day 3 : Maam Valley

  In the morning we hike through the Maam Valley to an 800’ pass through the Maumturk Mountains. We’ll enjoy our lunch in the pass, near an old chapel and holy well dedicated to St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. We descend to an old Victorian road and continue on through the Kylemore Glen, between the Maumturks and the gray quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens, to the comfortable inn awaiting us at Kylemore.

• 

  Day 4 : Kylemore Abbey

  We’ll enjoy our breakfast overlooking Kylemore Glen, then we’re off for a visit to 18th century Kylemore Abbey, a magnificent Gothic style castle. From there we pick back up on the Western Way, and loop around the spectacular Killary Harbour, a 10 mile fjord winding from the sea up toward the Mweelrea Mountains. We end our hike in Leenane, a classic small town, and dine at our hotel's in-house restaurant, renowned for its excellent seafood.

• Day 5 : Clare Island

  Drive by the Mweelrea mountains to Louisburgh, from where we take a small ferry to Clare Island (about 30 minutes). The island has many interesting walks, and we’ll welcome the company of one of the locals, who will accompany us on a gentle 4 mile walk across this lush green island. We’ll catch glimpses of basking seals and nesting birds around the coastline, and splendid views await us out towards the dotted islands of Clew Bay and towards Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain.

• 

  Day 6 : Croagh Patrick

  Today we’ll return to the mainland and hike up the solitary cone of Croagh Patrick, jutting up from the shores of Clew Bay. Each year, thousands of pilgrims climb the peak, say the traditional stational prayers, and receive Communion on the summit. Our entire ascent and descent will take about four or five hours. Travel on to overnight in the lively music town of Westport.

• Day 7 : Dublin

  We take an early morning train for today’s very pleasant 4 hour journey, to Ireland’s vibrant capital city of Dublin. Our hotel is situated near the popular and lively Temple Bar district, and we’ll be arriving with good time to explore all this fascinating city has to offer, including the trendy shops and boutiques of Gresham Street, the Book of Kells at Trinity College, and O’Connel Street, the capital’s main thoroughfare. A walk along its banks brings us to the famous Guinness brewery, where a sample of the famous brew can be tasted.

• Day 8 : Depart for Home

  Tour ends after breakfast. Transfer to airport for home departure.

• 

  Portfinn Lodge

  Leenane, Connemara

  Run by the Daly family since 1977, the Portfinn Lodge is located in the picturesque village of Leenane, overlooking the majestic Killary Harbour—Ireland's only fjord, in the heart of Connemara. Guest rooms boast spectacular views of either the Harbour or the Maumturk mountains.

• 

  Kylemore Inn

  Kylemore

  If ever a place was built to perfectly suit the walking traveler, Kylemore Inn must be it, for this splendidly remote establishment is surrounded by vast, rugged landscapes of high mountains, benign waters, and pure mountain air. Guests will enjoy comfortable accommodations, delicious home-cooked meals, and a myriad of choices for adventure in this wild and wonderful part of Ireland, which has something for everyone.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you'd never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You'll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• David Lunn

  David is an avid traveler who has led trips in more than 60 countries, from the high Himalaya to the African wastelands, from the deserts of Australia to the fjords of Norway. But his vast knowledge of his own country is what makes him truly special as a leader for our trips in Britain. David is an easy-going character who enjoys the outdoors and has a special interest in British history. He's also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File