North-NorthWest

Day 1:   Dublin – Shannon Blueway – Sligo
Today I will personally meet and greet you at Dublin Airport.
We then head towards the Northwest, crossing the river Shannon – the largest river in Ireland – and will enjoy a ‘walk across the water’ at the Shannon Blueway. Our final destination is Sligo, the gateway to the Northwest, situated at the foot of famous Ben Bulben Mountain.

Overnight stay and breakfast at the 4* Sligo Park Hotel or similar accommodation

Day 2:  Knocknarea – Strandhill – Glencar Waterfall
We drive out onto the Coolera peninsula and walk up to the grave cairn of the legendary Queen Maeve on Knocknarea (327m/1072ft). The walkway was established in 2018 as a circular walk, offering spectacular views across the Atlantic as well as leading through woodlands at the foot of the hill. We can take a break for some refreshments, taking a rest in Strandhill looking out over a long sandy beach, well-known as a surfers’ paradise.
In the afternoon we travel to Glencar Waterfall, North of Sligo, a place described as very mystical by the Irish writer W.B.Yeats.

Overnight stay and breakfast at the 4* Sligo Park Hotel or similar accommodation

Day 3:  Lough Gill – Eagles flying – Croagh Patrick – Westport
After a short drive this morning, we will arrive at Lough Gill and take a walk in the woods surrounding the lake. Or we continue our journey further south and visit a research station for birds of prey (est. 1999). We can admire the birds close up and learn about eagles, owls and falcons in Ireland. From here we travel to Westport, a beautiful town, planned and built in the 18th century. It is located at Clew Bay with its many small islands, an area where the amazing pirate Queen Grace O’Malley had been active during the 16th century. You will have the opportunity to climb (ca 4hrs) the holy mountain Croagh Patrick (765 m) or take the easier route for a long walk along the beach, to view the ruins of an abbey or hire a bicycle for an excursion on the Western Greenway.

Overnight stay and breakfast at the 4* Brooklodge B&B in Westport or similar accommodation

Day 4:  Achill Island – Deserted Village – Beach
You can look forward to a drive out to Achill Island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Achill has large moorlands, long stretches of beach and is, of course, surrounded by the Atlantic. As part of a walk, we will visit the deserted village at Slievemore, described so impressively by the German writer Heinrich Böll: a magical place! During the day you can sample delicious local foods: smoked mackerel or mussels, followed by the best desserts or cakes.
A walk along the beach will also be part of our outing, before returning to Westport.

Overnight stay and breakfast at the 4* Brooklodge B&B in Westport or similar accommodation

Day 5:  North Connemara – Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park
Leaving Westport, we are now driving through lonely boglands along the only
fjord in Ireland, Killary Harbour, into the Northern part of Connemara. We will walk up Diamond Hill (442 m). The walkway is constructed using stones and wooden planks for dry passage. From the top we can enjoy spectacular views over the Atlantic, Kylemore Abbey, and the mountains and lakes.
We then continue our journey through the middle of Connemara as far as the Southern coast along Galway Bay to our accommodation on the east side of Galway city. Galway is not far away, a taxi could take you into town to watch a famous Irish Dance Show ‘Trad on the Prom’ if you feel like a night out.

Overnight stay and breakfast in Armorica Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar accommodation

Day 6:  Mullaghmore in the Burren National Park …. and a treat
We drive right into the lunar looking landscapes of the Burren where we will walk up Mullaghmore mountain (180m), located in the centre of Burren National Park. The layers of limestone grew as an ocean floor over 300 million years ago. Throughout the Burren region these rocks are exposed, weathered and visible from the distance as grey and rough, but on closer inspection and contact we will find many varieties of alpine, arctic and mediterranean plants and flowers as well as ruins and monuments left behind by humans during the stone ages and medieval times. Today we can discover some of those secret treasures. And a sweet surprise is also waiting: pure chocolate, manufactured in Hazel Mountain Chocolate Factory, where you find out things about chocolate you might not have known yet and can, of course, sample some…

Overnight stay and breakfast in Armorica Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar accommodation

Day 7:  Boat trip to Inis Oírr and Cliffs of Moher
Our final highlight today is the trip to Inis Oírr: by boat leaving from Doolin Pier. With 8 km² and 280 inhabitants, it is small enough to be explored on foot or by bicycle. You can visit a small sunken church ruin, a towerhouse in the centre of an older ringfort, a lighthouse and a shipwreck from the 1960s. The island geology is a continuation of the neighbouring Burren landscapes and is partitioned into many small fields using these rocks. Naturally, you are never far from the Atlantic presence. On our journey back to the mainland we will pass along below the majestic Cliffs of Moher, towering to a height of over 200m on an 8 km coastline. If we are lucky, we may even spot a dolphin.

Overnight stay and breakfast in Armorica Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar accommodation

Day 8:  Departure
Today after a drive from Kinvara to Galway bus station, your tour guide or a friendly taxi driver will bring you into Galway city. You can travel by Citylink coach from Galway straight to Dublin Airport.
If you wish to stay on in Galway or Dublin, we will be very happy to help you planning and preparing additional programmes. Please contact us.

Services included in the tour price:

• 2x Overnight stays and breakfast in 4* Sligo Park Hotel or similar accommodation
• 2x Overnight stays and breakfast in 4* Brooklodge B&B in Westport or similar accommodation
• 3x Overnight stays and breakfast in Armorica Boutique Guest House in Oranmore or similar accommodation
• Transfer to Galway bus station on your departure day
• Private chauffeur and guide throughout your stay
• Round trip according to your tour programme (Programme subject to change)
• All travels in a modern Minibus
• Information materials for your tour
• Entrance fees:
  • Eagles Flying – Bird of Prey Sanctuary
  • Boat trip to Inis Oirr and Cliffs of Moher

Services not included:
Flights, personal expenses, gratuities, food and drinks
Return journeys are organised individually. We are happy to support you with booking bus or train tickets (Booking fee per person € 10.)

Further Information:

Tour date: on request
Minimum number of participants: 2 participants 
Maximum number of participants: 8 participants

Tour Prices:
per person sharing a double/twin room (flights not included) on request
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