[vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” background_color=”#f0f1f2″ padding_top=”5″ padding_bottom=”5″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]Above: Roundstone Bay in the south-western corner of Connemra, County Galway lies beneath the quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” padding_top=”40″ padding_bottom=”10″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]
8 Night Wild Atlantic Way Tour
The Wild Atlantic Way, stretching more than 1,500 miles along Ireland’s western shores, is one of the world’s longest coastal routes, brimming with all that makes Ireland so magical to explore.
[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” padding_top=”30″ padding_bottom=”20″ css_animation=”element_from_fade”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Run in conjunction with Wilderness Travel, we’ve chosen one of the most dramatic routes — from Galway to the Aran Islands, Connemara, Joyce Country, and County Mayo — for our newest cultural and hiking adventure. Con and Ann know this land as no others do, and will share ancient sites, secret hikes that lead to stunning lighthouses, sacred peaks, and lively villages, and will introduce you to historians, shepherds, island folk, and musicians all along the way.
You’ll also savor the fantastic Irish food scene, from oak-smoked salmon to vegetables fresh from the garden, irresistible cheeses, and, yes, pints of cream-topped Guinness. Our lodgings range from a historic “big house” on the Aran Islands to an enchanting Victorian-era fishing lodge set on the shores of Lough Inagh, and we’ll cap off our adventure with a visit to Dublin’s cultural treasures. We’ve timed these trips for the best seasons: June will be fabulous with wildflowers, and September is the start of our “secret season” when we’ll have these magnificent landscapes all to ourselves.
A journey in Ireland with Con Moriarty and Ann Curran brings you into the heart of its landscape and the soul of its culture. Come experience the true Ireland.
Sample itinerary in brief
Days 1-4 Galway / Aran Islands / Connemara
From the lively center of Galway City, we’ll take a quick flight over the waters of Galway Bay to the otherworldly limestone archipelago known as the Aran Islands. We’ll hike through fields laced by a network of stone walls and down narrow lanes, leading right to our lodging where we receive the warmest of welcomes and enjoy an evening in the company of musicians. In Connemara, we’ll discover an ancient archaeological landscape with a renowned local scholar and enjoy our choice of delights, with a chance to fly-fish, golf, or hike the Tully Mountains.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Days 5-6 – Joyce County / Clare Island
Following an ancient pilgrimage route into the Mám Toirc mountains, we hike to St. Patrick’s Well, then stop to enjoy a picnic amidst the majesty of these untamable mountains. Catching a ferry, we make the half-hour crossing to Clare Island, a mountainside that rears dramatically out of the sea and stands as a sentinel to Clew Bay. Hiking directly from our island home, we’ll enjoy some of the finest trails imaginable, set between the sea and the sky. Our final stop is the gorgeous enclave of Clare Island Lighthouse, set on cliffs above the sea.
Days 7-9 – Westport / Dublin
In Westport, one of Ireland’s most colorful towns, we have a choice of activities: a hike to the summit of Ireland’s holiest mountain—the striking quartz peak of Croagh Patrick, a shoreline hike around the Murrisk Beach peninsula, or the option to sea kayak beneath the sacred mountain on Clew Bay. The delightful tea shops and craft stores of Westport are a treat to explore in the late afternoon, followed by a meal of local oysters on the half shell.
The next morning we depart for Dublin where we’ll visit some the capital’s cultural highlights, including the National Museum of Ireland and Trinity College with the exquisite Book of Kells. We’ll enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner that may well have you making plans to return to Ireland. Transfer to Dublin Airport for your homeward-bound flights.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
Thank you so much, we loved our whole week!! Our lives have been enriched by you Con, you have showed us your Ireland, a personal Ireland which means so much more than us going it alone.
Sharon & Dan, CA, USA
May 2015
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” padding_top=”30″ padding_bottom=”30″ css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1429544794352{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text][enquiry-button][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” background_color=”#f0f1f2″ padding_top=”30″ padding_bottom=”30″ css_animation=””][vc_column width=”1/3″][icon_text box_type=”normal” icon=”fa-file-text” icon_type=”circle” icon_size=”fa-2x” icon_animation=”q_icon_animation” icon_position=”left” title=”Note” text=”This outstanding walking tour can be operated at the time of your choice for your group. The walking levels are ultimately based on the needs of the participants with spectacular hikes available throughout, ranging from Easy to Strenuous.” icon_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#333333″ icon_background_color=”#333333″ icon_border_color=”#333333″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][icon_text box_type=”normal” icon=”fa-money” icon_type=”circle” icon_size=”fa-2x” icon_animation=”q_icon_animation” icon_position=”left” title=”Cost” text=”The price varies depending on the size of your group and your choice of accommodation. Please contact Binky for the details on info@hiddenirelandtours.com” icon_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#333333″ icon_background_color=”#333333″ icon_border_color=”#333333″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][icon_text box_type=”normal” icon=”fa-calendar” icon_type=”circle” icon_size=”fa-2x” icon_animation=”q_icon_animation” icon_position=”left” title=”Dates” text=”Available at any time throughout the year for private parties.” icon_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#333333″ icon_background_color=”#333333″ icon_border_color=”#333333″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]
