Connemara Western Way

Introduction
Galaway & Mayo Ireland

Translated as "the Conmaicne Tribe of the Sea" - even the name is wildly inspired! Stretching from Galway Bay to Killary Harbour and bounded on the east by Lough Corrib & Lough Mask, the principal range of mountains is the Twelve Bens and the smaller Maumturks. Grey quartzite peaks, shimmering over bogs and small loughs, fed by an average rainfall of 1700mm! It is a wild place, with some of the finest scenery Ireland has to offer. Early settlements were mainly on the coast; the interior deemed too infertile and wet for any useful occupation.  The area suffered huge population loss in the mid 19th century but through the guidance of the Irish Land Commission, land leases were offered to tenant farmers, fishing was structured and the area was slowly rejuvenated. Today much of the valley land is now under forestry schemes and intensive fish farming fills the coastal loughs. The predominance of hills and water means a relatively small road network but despite this, a strong native population remains.

Accomodation

You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Most rooms have en suite facilities. You can enjoy evening meals in the guesthouses in some locations, but the hostess needs to be notified beforehand. Evening meals are usually priced between €18-25.00 per person. Picnic lunches can be supplied at a cost of €6.00-8.00p.p. Your route notes will advise each day as to the availability of lunch en route and evening meals at your overnight stop.

You will have a relevant accommodation voucher for each guesthouse. Your hosts will transfer your luggage each day. PLEASE do try to notify your estimated time of arrival.

Other information:
There are no banks on your route. Please make sure you carry enough cash with you when you start the walking tour. There is a bank in Westport at the end of your walk. Banking hours are 10.00-16.00. Most larger post offices will cash travellers cheques or change currency. ATM facilities will dispense Euro using a Link ATM card. Most grocery or craft outlets and restaurants will facilitate debit and credit cards.

Riding

Itinerary

The Western Way runs from Oughterard in Co. Galway to Ballina in North Co. Mayo, often distinguished in literature as Western Way Connemara and Western Way Mayo.

Our itinerary covers the central section – from the Pass of Mam Éan in the Maumturk Mountains, to the beautiful Lough Inagh Valley. From the shore of Killary Harbour, the Way enters Co. Mayo and the lower Sheefry Hills, crossing forest and bogland. It is wild and desolate. Under the towering bulk of Croagh Patrick, the Way meanders to the island studded Clew Bay and the historic town of Westport.

The tour starts with a night in Galway, a wonderfully vibrant city and ends in Westport, a pretty  and picturesque town known for it's title winning cleanliness!

The total walk is 71km with an optional walk of 11km on Day 4 and 17km on Day 7.

Approximately 30% of the route is on minor and tarred roads. You will enjoy this trip if you are physically fit and like to hike. The hikes each day will vary from 14-24 kilometres and cross some rough, wet and rocky terrain. Experience of hiking and compass use is an advantage.

Day 1: Arrival in Galway. Your accommodation will be in the western city / Salthill area and a reference map will be provided in your tour pack. Galway city is a wonderful place, narrow streets, old shop fronts, the gushing Corrib river and yet the peace of the waterfront of the Claddagh fishing harbour. There is always something going on in Galway!

Day 2: Bus transfer from Galway city to Maam Cross. Private Transfer from Maam Cross to Maam Bridge. Walk Maam Bridge to Lough Inagh Valley 15km Ascents 220m, approx. walking time 5 hours. Alternative Route via Binn Chaorigh 15km Ascents 770m, approx. walking time 7hours
The farming countryside of Maam climbs steadily through rugged hill country along the old mountain road, to the low pass of Mam Ean and a lovely hillside chapel of St. Patrick. An alternative route takes you high into the Maamturks on a demanding climb to 700m rewarded with fantastic views tot eh Atlantic and Galway Bay. Accommodation tonight is in the Inagh Valley, with a deep brooding lough under the Twelve Bens.

Day 3: Free day with optional walks from Lough Inagh 21km. Ascents 650m, approx. walking time 6 hours
If you missed the Maumturks yesterday it is possible to do a route today behind your guesthouse on Letterbreckaun at 667m. The Twelve Bens are across Lough Inagh with many wonderful routes available. The Connemara National Park and Visitor Centre is also within striking distance as are Kylemore Abbey and the Victorian Walled Gardens. Your hosts will assist you with transfers to your chosen route.

Day 4: Walk Lough Inagh to Leenane 14km. Ascents 70m, approx. walking time 5 hours
A mild day today, lots of pine forest and wet ground through the bogland of Luggagtarriff and Lettershanbally. The Way climbs briefly to Glencraff before skirting the northern flanks of the Maumturks to view Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. The day finishes in the village of Leenane, An Lionan, "the tide filling place"! a lovely hamlet nestling under the impressive Mweelrea Mountains of Co. Mayo.

Day 5: Taxi transfer to Glenacally Bridge. Walk Leenane to Drummin 12km Ascents 80m, approx. walking time 4 hours Walk via Lough Lugacolliwee 23km Ascents 430m approx. walking time 7 hours
Entering Co. Mayo today, Tony Lowry Taxis will transfer you to Glenacally Bridge, as this part of the Way is on 8km of busy main road. The Way rises through forest over Tawnyard Lough descending to Sheefry Bridge over the Owenmore River in the Sheefry Hills. The longer route climbs a deep stream ravine crossing at 480m to see the first glimpse of the quartzite cone of Croagh Patrick. The glaciated coum Lough Lugacolliwee is a peaceful place in the midst of such mountain splendour. Evening meals are available in your guesthouse tonight.

Day 6: Walk Drummin to Westport 24km. Ascents 230m, approx. walking time 6 hours
A minor road takes you to the south of Croagh Patrick, sheep grazing country, rising to open moorland, before crossing a pass at 250m to see island studded Clew Bay. The Way descends through the remains of a Famine village, then wanders through drumlins, glacial mounds deposited in the flatland surrounding Westport town. The town was the creation of James Wyatt and although classically planned, remains picturesque. Explore at will!

Day 7: Optional free day in Westport town.
Or walk the Pilgrim’s Trail from Ballintober to Westport town. 17km. Ascents 180m, approx. walking time 5 hours
A glorious countryside walk, through the farmlands of south county Mayo, and the valleys of the Camoge & Aille rivers. The Pilgrim trail follows the ancient prayer route from Ballintober Abbey to Croagh Patrick, St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain.

Day 8: Departure from Westport
Depart Westport by train for Dublin or by bus to Galway and Shannon.

**Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Connemara Western Way

Dates Note: Any time during the season.

Other Info
Meeting: Galway
Airport: Galway, Dublin, Shannon
Transfer: Galway - by public transport

Climate:

You can walk this route anytime between April and October.

In April/May and October the weather can be unpredictable so knowledge of map reading and compass are important!

Ireland has a reputation of being wet but it is also famous for having 40 beautiful shades of green! The expression "a soft day" is a popular one with the Irish and describes light rain in mild temperatures. Because of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream, the weather can be very unpredictable, so waterproof rain wear is essential. Your clothing must be warm but also easy to put on and take off as you climb and descend. Tight clothing or jeans are NOT recommended. The temperatures can range from 5° - 19° Celsius and the highest will rarely go over 25° Celsius. Due to the high humidity it can get very warm in summer but on higher ground it can suddenly become colder due to the wind-chill factor. Current weather information is available at www.meteireann.ie

The Irish climate is damp and mild.

Cell phone rental is available and can be pre-booked through www.rentaphone-ireland.com

If you are traveling from the USA you may wish to check out unlocking your cell phone to use and an Irish SIM card. Check out www.unlockitfree.com or  www.bilemo.com/unlock  

In order to enhance your holiday these items should be in your suitcase: