Spectacular Ireland

Introduction
Western Ireland Ireland
Embark on a walking holiday in South West Ireland combined with the Coast and Mountains of County Waterford. Hikes are on the Kerry Way, beside the Lakes of Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula, the Nire Valley, and a day trip out to Cape Clear Island, off the Coast of County Cork.

Tour Highlights
- Lovely walks on Waterford Coast
- Comeragh Mountain Walk
- Ancient Round Tower at Ardmore
- Cape Clear Island - remote, peaceful and very Irish!
- The magnificent beauty of the Dingle Peninsula
- A walk on Inch Beach
- Hiking the Kerry Way
- Boat journey across the Lakes of Killarney

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
All our accommodations have been carefully selected and are approved by the high standards of the Irish Tourist Board. We have chosen locations of outstanding natural beauty, so that you can enjoy the best of Irish rural life and scenery. You will enjoy top quality accommodation in small, family run guesthouses and hotels whilst being charmed by the hospitable and friendly hosts.
We stay in small hotels, guest houses, farmhouses, B & B's and occasionally castles.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1, 2 & 3: Accommodation in The Nire Valley
Night 4 & 5: Accommodation in Baltimore
Night 6, 7 & 8: Accommodation in Killarney

Room Occupancy
All rooms are en suite twin, double or single. Singles are available on request for a small supplement.


Meals:
All meals are included in your package except from dinner on Day 4 and 5.

Each morning, in addition to the famous full Irish breakfast, there are alternative options available. Everybody loves the Irish soda bread, with creamy Irish butter. But for the more health conscious, you can be assured of plenty of fruit, juice, yogurts and cereals.

We take packed lunches for our lunch breaks during our walks. These are provided from our accommodation or from local delis.

Our evenings are a time for reviewing the day's activities and shared experiences on the hills. Evening meals are taken either in the places where we are staying or in local restaurants. You will be pleasantly surprised at the fine quality meals you will enjoy on your tour.

Riding

This holiday, guided by someone who really knows and cares for Ireland, is the best way to see this enchanting country; imagine yourself hiking (or walking) over Irish mountains, pausing by Irish lakes, drinking in Irish pubs and listening to traditional Irish music.

These hiking trips show you the best of Ireland, its picturesque scenery, the grandeur of its mountains, the warmth and hospitality of its people and the magic of their music. Call it an Irish walking holiday; a hiking vacation in Ireland; even a sabbatical - maybe you're researching Ireland, perhaps for a thesis or book; or perhaps you want to see the Ireland of your Irish ancestors. Call it any or all of these, but treat yourself to a tour of Erin's Isle anyway.
Our hiking tours of Ireland are fully escorted by experienced, professional guides. We travel through Ireland in groups of no more than twelve people. We will escort you on hikes through Ireland's most scenic trails, walk through undiscovered routes lined with extraordinary vistas.

Ireland has a lot to offer the walker: dramatic sea cliffs, high mountain ridges, quiet green roads, butter roads, fuchsia-lined lanes, heath and moorland, sweeping expanses of beach. And then there are the sleepy villages, oak woods, sky-blue lakes, torrential waterfalls and babbling brooks.
Ireland's climate ideally suits the walker as generally it rarely gets too hot to be uncomfortable. Rain and cloud-formations are what bring the interesting light patterns and rainbows. The Western coast and islands are known for magnificent sunsets.

Don't be surprised at the very few people you will meet whilst walking, after all, the entire population of Ireland is only around four million! Ireland is a birdwatcher's paradise with many rarities such as the corncrake. It is also a great place for botanists, especially the area of the Burren, Co. Clare.

Maybe the best attraction of all is the people, you'll never find another place like it for hospitality, friendliness, warmth, generosity, humor, love of life and love of the land.

Hiking Level
It is important that you are fit and at least a regular hiker / walker. When we do half day walks the distance covered could be from 4 to 9 miles, when we do full day walks the distances covered could be 6 to 13 miles. The pace is relaxed with time to enjoy your surroundings, take pictures, watch the birds, etc. Generally the terrain comprises of combinations of tracks, lanes, moorland, heath, coastal paths, beaches and mountain paths. You may choose not to walk on certain days, it's your holiday, there are always alternatives. You may prefer to relax at our accommodation, draw, paint, read, think...
Generally after a day of walking we can help ourselves to complimentary tea and coffee at our accommodation. We allow for some relaxation time before dinner. We have an official "Diary" which has been kept by previous groups and you may choose to make a contribution at the end of your day. After dinner there is nearly always the option of visiting the local pubs for some traditional music and dancing.

Itinerary

Sample itinerary - subject to changes

The itinerary below is subject to change for varying reasons. Any changes made by the operator and / or the tour leaders will be in the interest and safety of all participants.

Day 1: Arrival. Travel to Nire Valley
We begin with a drive directly south east from Shannon to the Nire Valley in County Waterford. We’ll spend our first three nights at the lovely Hanora’s Cottage: an award-winning guest house and restaurant in the heart of the Comeragh Mountains. Hanora’s Cottage is located deep in the stunning Nire Valley where dippers bob on stones in the river lined with willow and hawthorn. After settling in at the guest house, we will take a light lunch followed by our first walk in the mountains.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles, there is an alternative option of just taking a stroll in the lanes around the guest house as it is located in a beautiful setting.
Terrain: forest trails, open moorland | Elev gain: 600 ft
Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
Overnight: The Nire Valley, Comeragh Mountains, County Waterford
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Walk in the Nire Valley and Comeragh Mountains  
The Comeraghs are a mountain range in the south east of County Waterford. They have always been very popular with hikers. They are located between the towns of Carrick on Suir and Clonmel. Today we set off for a relatively easy lower level hike of approximately 9 miles.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 9 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.
Terrain: mountain tracks, forest trails | Elev gain 700 ft
Walking Distance 9 miles (14.5 km)
Overnight: The Nire Valley, Comeragh Mountains, County Waterford
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Walk in the Nire Valley and Comeragh Mountains  
We set off from the Nire Valley for another walk in the Comeragh Mountains. The Nire valley runs eastwards into the Comeragh mountains meeting the mountains under the Nire lakes. Weather-depending, we hope to set off to Coumshingaun: the finest example of a corrie lake in the British Isles. Back at the lovely Hanora’s Cottage, you will be delighted with a delicious evening meal in the award-winning restaurant.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 9 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 3-4 miles available.
Terrain: steep mountain tracks, forest trails | Elev gain 700 ft
Walking Distance 9 miles (14.5 km)
Overnight: The Nire Valley, Comeragh Mountains, County Waterford
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Walk at Ardmore, Travel to Baltimore
Today we set off for West Cork. On leaving the Nire Valley we’ll travel down to the coast of County Waterford and along the cliff path and beaches at Ardmore. Strolling through the village we can visit the 12th century round tower, said to be the best preserved round tower in Ireland. We then head for Baltimore, County Cork where we’ll spend the next two nights at a lovely, family-run small hotel.
Walk Options: the full walk is 3-4 miles long. There is an alternative of just strolling at leisure in the lovely village of Ardmore and visiting the Round Tower.
Terrain: quiet lanes, cliff path | Elev gain 300 ft 
Walking Distance 4 miles (6.4 km)
Overnight: Baltimore, County Cork
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Ferry out to Cape Clear, walk the Island 
This morning we take the ferry to Cape Clear Island……Ireland’s southernmost inhabited island. Cape Clear lies eight miles off the coast of West Cork and the boat journey takes 45 mins. The island is three miles long and one mile wide. The island is remote and wild and is an important centre for bird watching in Ireland. Whales, turtle, shark and sun fish are spotted every year off the coast, and dolphins are seen on a regular basis. The island is far removed from the bustle of mainland life and a visit to Cape combines peace, nature, relaxation and that “away-from-it-all” feeling.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just strolling around the island at your own pace (you won’t get lost!).
Terrain quiet lanes, open moorland, cliff paths | Elev gain 500 ft
Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
Overnight: Baltimore, County Cork
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Walk part of the Kerry Way - take a boat journey across the lakes of Killarney  
We make an early departure from Baltimore to drive up through some magnificent scenery to County Kerry and the Killarney National Park. We will walk from the outskirts of Kenmare to travel the Old Kenmare Road towards Killarney, walking part of the Kerry Way down to Lord Brandon’s cottage. Here we will have lunch and then be met by a boatman who will take us across three lakes: Upper Lake, Muckross Lake and Lough Leane, on a spectacular boat jouney ending at the private pier of our hotel for the next three nights. We can then enjoy an excellent meal in the hotel restaurant overlooking the lake.
Terrain: open moorland trails, boardwalk | Elev gain 600 ft
Walking Distance 9 miles
Overnight: Killarney, County Kerry
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Travel the Ring of Kerry and walk the Kerry Way  
Today we will walk part of the Kerry Way across the broad expanse of moorland below the surrounding mountains at the Esknamucky Glen. In this valley, evidence of a pre-famine cottages are still visible, providing a stark reminder of harsh times gone by. The views of the mountains are spectacular. We can take a rest beside Sullivan’s Cascades and enjoy the views. The walk descends beside Torc Waterfall through Killarney National Park, and then we continue on to the Muckross House estate where there is time to explore the grounds and the arboretum.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just relaxing or strolling in to Killarney Town and / or visiting Ross Castle.
Terrain: boardwalk, paths, rocky tracks | Elev Gain: 1200 ft
Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)
Overnight: Killarney, County Kerry
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Walk the coast path from Dingle town, visit Inch Beach   
Today we will travel north to Dingle Town where we will walk out the coastal path to the old lighthouse and lookout tower. The views of Dingle harbour are magnificent. We will make our way out across a track to higher points where we can look down on various small coves and beaches. There will then be time to browse the shops in Dingle Town. On our return journey to Killarney, we will stop to visit Inch Beach, made famous in the movie, Ryan’s Daughter.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just relaxing and strolling in lovely Dingle Town, and just walking as far as you like on Inch Beach.
Terrain: rocky track, fields, cliff path | Elev gain 400 ft
Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
Overnight: Killarney, County Kerry
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Departure
We must say Goodbye to Ireland after our drive to Shannon Airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast


Note: Many clients come on a tour who wish to do very little hiking. Every day there are alternative options such as sight-seeing, relaxing, reading, painting, listening to Irish traditional music, and generally just soaking up the Irish atmosphere. You can opt out of the hiking on any day! All our accommodations are based in scenic locations, so you are very welcome to just remain “home” for the day.

Rates and Dates for Spectacular Ireland

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Shannon
Airport: Shannon
Transfer: Shannon

Climate:
                                                    Cork area