Tours 2023

Walk in the lush Glen of Aherlow, County Tipperary. Wander the filigreed coast of the Connemara Peninsula and explore the kaleidoscope of peat bogs and shimmering lakes overshadowed by the quartzite, pewter-tipped Twelve Bens mountain range.

County Sligo is our home for the final three days of Best of the West tour. Here Celtic myth and Yeats poetry are brought to life by our expert, charming walking guide.

A fully escorted, walking-focused, in depth personal immersion into three distinct landscapes. Soak up the ancient history, cultural heritage and rich local atmosphere of rural Ireland with our professional, engaging walking guides.

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Best of the West | All three regions​

  • 30 June – 9 July 2023​
  • 10 Guests​
  • € 3,600​​
Book Now

Experience one or more regions

County Tipperary - The Galtees

  • 30 June – 4 July 2023
  • 3.5 Days​
  • € 1,400​​
Book Tipperary

Connemara and the Atlantic Coast

  • 3 July – 6 July 2023
  • 3.5 Days​
  • € 1,400​​
Book Connemara

County Sligo - Yeats Country

  • 6 July – 9 July 2023
  • 3.5 Days​
  • € 1,400​​
Book Sligo

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Meet walkers at Limerick Junction Train Station on train from Dublin.
  • Morning tea at Tig Roy with our host Roy Galvin and walking guide, Michael Moroney.
  • Picnic and afternoon walking in regenerating Irish Oak forest of Aherlow Nature Park.
  • Afternoon tea at Aherlow House Hotel overlooking the Glen of Aherlow.
  • Settle in to Tig Roy with delicious dinner ‘at home'.

Day 2

  • Walking in the glaciated Galtee Mountains along an old ‘ice road’.
  • View 7th Century St. Berrihert’s Kyle – ecclesiastical site.
  • Pre-Christian Healing Well.
  • Drive to medieval river-island Cahir Castle.
  • Evening ‘at home’ with Roy
  • Traditional music on Irish flute, pipes and tin whistle.
  • Sean Nós dancing (old style traditional Irish dancing) with Roy.
  • Dinner Tig Roy.

Day 3

  • Morning walk with Ryan family pack of Kerry hounds.
  • Guided tour of Lough Gur Stone circle – Ireland’s largest.
  • Visit Lough Gur Visitor’s Centre – site of Stone Age Lake settlement.
  • Drive to Rock of Cashel.
  • Tour 12 century Romanesque chapel, Round Tower and spectacular Gothic Cathedral.
  • Fine dining at the Bishop’s Buttery in The Cashel Palace dating back to 1732.
  • Home for final night at Tig Roy.

Day 4

  • Depart Roy’s for Doolin Ferry in County Clare.
  • Ferry under Cliffs of Moher to Aran Islands – Inis Mór.
  • Lunch and guided walk with Michael Gibbons our Connemara Guide.
  • Walk on limestone escarpment amongst webs of dry stone walls.
  • Explore ancient fort of Dún Aengus.
  • Dry stone igloo shaped beehive huts.
  • Late afternoon ferry to Rossaveal in Connemara.
  • Settle into The Angler’s Return with host Lynn Hill.

Day 5

  • Meet our guide Michael Gibbons for coffee in Roundstone, a traditional fishing village.
  • Walk up Fuschia lined tracks to the top lakes of Mt. Errisbeg (298m).
  • Visit traditional instrument maker Malachy Kearns.
  • Afternoon local boat out to MacDara’s island in the heart of the Gaeltacht.
  • Tour of Saint MacDara’s Island Monastery with finest example of early Christian oratory.​
  • Dinner at Rachel’s brother Hugh and his wife, Elin’s home.
  • Night two at Angler’s Return.

Day 6

  • Drive to Connemara National Park.
  • Walk Diamond Hill Loop (442m) Track.
  • Connemara Visitor’s Centre – learn about Park’s flora, geology and moths.
  • Lunch at Victorian Castle: Kylemore Abbey.
  • Visit the extensive Walled Garden.
  • Home for dinner at Angler’s Return.

Day 7

  • Depart for Sligo.
  • Morning coffee and free shopping time in Victorian country town of Clifden.
  • Optional visit to Connemara traditional pony stud.
  • Scenic Drive through Westport and Castlebar County Mayo.
  • National Museum of Country Life and nearby magnificent Round Tower.
  • Night One Sligo Town.

Day 8

  • Meet our Sligo guide John Paul Ryan for morning coffee.
  • At Tobergal Lane Café, in Art Centre Sligo Town.
  • Climb Knocknarea (Hill of Queen Maeve) (327m).
  • Dinner at home.
  • Night two Sligo.

Day 9

  • Full day’s walking with John.
  • Walk across to Coney Island from Strandhill.
  • Travel back by boat to Rosses Point.
  • Visit Neolithic burial ground Carrowkeel.
  • Yeats Experience Dinner at Broc House.
  • Night 3 Sligo.

Day 10

  • Morning walk at Drumcliff: Grave of W.B. Yeats.
  • Visit the extraordinary 11th century Celtic High Cross and St Colmcille’s chapel.
  • Gourmet Picnic lunch and farewells at Sligo Train Station.

Explore and discover

Immerse yourself in what Ireland has to offer

We offer you a warm invitation to join our team of local guides and charming accommodation hosts in July 2023.

Book a Tour

FAQ

  • All accommodation in comfortable lodges and cottages carefully chosen for their location and ambience.
  • All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners (including wines).
  • Specialist walking guides in each area.
  • Tour leaders travelling and walking with group.
  • Ferry tickets and museum/garden entrance fees.
  • Land transport for tour duration.

Walks will go ahead in pretty much all weather conditions.

  • Walkers need a good waterproof raincoat and supportive hiking boots.
  • Walking poles recommended.
  • A comfortable day pack with waistband preferably.
  • A comprehensive ‘What to Bring’ list will be forwarded on booking.

There is a total of six and a half days of walking over the duration of the 10 days. Moderate fitness is recommended for hill walking (6 hours max). Our professional guides ensure regular breaks and pace the walks carefully. Be prepared for walking on non-level ground e.g. mountain heather for about a third of the walking. There are mostly level surfaced tracks.