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St. Patrick's Way - Special Interest Walking Tours
ThisThis Special Interest Holiday offers you a wonderful opportunity to see much of the west coast of Ireland in a very short space of time. Your holiday starts in the north western tip of Donegal & finishes down south by the impressive mighty Shannon River. During your holiday you will follow some of the main Pilgrim Routes that our Saints founded and who had such a tremendous influence on our history - through their teaching, their writing and their presence….. making this island the "Island of Saints and Scholars". This holiday is based on an ancient maritime pilgrimage that people used to do back in the 9th & 10th centuries. By the nature of the distance we are travelling during the holiday - there will be a lot of driving involved, therefore making it a busy itinerary…. With nice short "snappy" walks.
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Saint Patrick's Way
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Included
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Tour Dates:
May 21- 28
June 25- July 2
Sept 10 - 17
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- 7 nights bed and breakfast with private bathroom.
- Full Irish breakfast.
- Picnic lunch (on walking days only).
- 7 Evening Dinners.
- 6 days walking with expert Irish Guide.
- Transport to/from each days walking locations.
- Luggage transfers when required.
- Courtesy Airport transfer to the start of the holiday and first nights accommodations.
(As per our transfer timetable)
- Transfers to nearest bus/train station at end of holiday (also within our timetable)
- Souvenir book, " Ireland ---- a Travellers Guide."
Note:
Any queries please ask at time of booking.
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Not Included
- Any boat trips
- Personal drinks
- Entrance fees to theatres, parks or museums etc. or gratuities.
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ITINERARY
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Day 1
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Arrive to Shannon, Knock or Sligo Airport & transfer to our first accommodation close to Glencolmcille in west Donegal, overlooking Rathlin O'Birne Island. Evening meal and a general chat/briefing about the holiday ahead.
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Day 2
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Today we follow the old Pilgrim Route as started by St. Columba back in the 6th Century, enjoying some wonderful coastal scenery along the way and visiting some of the many historical and archaelogical places of interest that abound in this region. At the end of the walk we return to our accomodation for evening dinner and overnight.
Walk Details - Distance: 12kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Ascent: 300m. Grass tracks and open mountain with rocky sections and no tracks. Some road walking. Boots essential.
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Day 3
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Leaving Glencolmcille - we drive south to Westport. Driving time for this journey with no stops is 4 hours. If weather allows - we will enjoy a boat trip to visit the wonderful Inishmurray Island - with one of the best preserved early Irish monastic settlements is this region. If the weather does not permit this trip - we will take an easy day, with free time in Donegal town, visiting Yeats' grave on the way and a walk in Sligo to the famous Queen Maeve's grave before continuing on to Wesport.
Walk Details - Distance: 6kms. Duration: 2 hours. Max. Ascent: 220m. Some road walking, grass tracks and some rocky sections. Easy walking boots are essential.
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Day 4
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From Westport we climb the most famous Pilgrim Mountain in Ireland - Croagh Patrick. From the summit of this wonderful mountain we overlook the spectacular Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Still celebrated every year with an annual pilgrimage - this mountain, folklore says, is the one St. Patrick banished the snakes and lizards from Ireland. An early finish today gives people an opportunity to enjoy the lively town of Westport where we spend our second night.
Walk Details - Distance: 12kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Ascent: 600m. Rocky walking following a popular path but very difficult as we near the top. Boots essential.
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Day 5
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Leaving Westport - we continue south to Doolin. Driving time for this journey with no stops is 3 hours. If weather allows - we will drive directly to Ashford Castle in Cong & take the boat from there to the beautiful Inchagoill Island - famous for its cross pillar and holy well and said to be the final resting place for St. Patrick's nephew. We enjoy a walk around this small island before returning to Cong & continuing south to Doolin. If the weather is not suitable for a trip to Inchagoill Island - we will continue south to Doolin & enjoy a walk along the Cliffs of Moher.
Walks Details - Distance: 7kms. Duration: 3 hours. Max. Ascent: 100m. Rocky walking following a path most of the way. Some road walking. Boots essential.
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Day 6
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Today we enjoy a visit to one of the famous Aran Islands to walk in the footsteps of St. Enda and visit some of the wonderful early monastic settlements that are so plentiful on these islands. However, in the event of bad weather - we will walk over the spectacular Gleninagh Mountain to explore one of the many ring forts in this region. At Black Head we enjoy glorious views of the Burren and the Aran Islands.
Walk Details - Distance 16kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Ascent 320m. Rocky walking most of the way. Some road and track walking. Boots essential.
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Day 7
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Transfering to Kilrush where (if weather & tides allow) we take a visit to the famous Scattery Island - founded by St. Senan. After a short walk around this glorious island we then go to our accommodation near Kilrush for our final evening together.
Walk Details - Distance: 10kms. Duration: 3.5 hours. Max. Ascent: 150m. Grass tracks and open mountain with rocky sections and no tracks. Some road walking - but boots are essential.
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Day 8
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Departures. After breakfast in Kilrush, at approx 0900/0915 we return you to Ennis Bus and Rail Station for your onward journey. From here there is an excellent and frequent public transport service, with all details Bus, @ www.buseireann.ie and train, @ www.irishrail.ie. Private transfer/taxi's booked and arranged if required. Just ask on briefing night.
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We reserve the right to alter this itinerary due to weather conditions or the walking ability of each group.
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