'Connemara's Calling' Walking Tour
This is an exciting new itinerary developed on my trip home in July 2008. I had a wonderful and memorable time travelling in the Mayo and Connemara and met a myriad of interesting, warm-hearted and colourful local people. I revisited and visited for the first time some extraordinary and dramatic places. As a result I have designed a 10 day in depth exploration taking in the essential character of both Mayo and Connemara - unique places with unique people deeply connected to their rich heritage.
Highlights:
- Spending 10 days walking and exploring spectacular areas of rural Mayo and Connemara in the company of a small group (10 people).
- Being in the company of tour leaders and local guides who have local knowledge and a genuine love and appreciation of the Irish culture, people and countryside.
- 6 days minimum of guided walking in diverse and spectacular regions of Northern Mayo, Achill Island, Inis Bofin and Connemara.
- Approximately four half days of driving in comfort off the main tourist trail through some of the West of Ireland’s most beautiful countryside, exploring places of cultural, historic, geological and aesthetic interest.
- Sumptuous Irish cuisine throughout the 10 days provided by our travelling chef as well as carefully selected cafes, restaurants and public houses.
- Comfortable, simple self-catering accommodation in lodges and cottages chosen with care to maximise the countryside experience.
- 2-3 days days with renowned local archaeologists visiting fascinating ancient sites.
- Visit the National Museum of Country Life in Castlebar.
- Walking through the Céide Fields - the largest excavated stone age settlement in the world.
- Spectacular walking along the cliffs of North Mayo.
- Two days walking on Achill Island with historic and geological sites of great interest.
- Staying 2 nights and walking in the ‘most beautiful and untouched valley in Europe’ - the Delphi valley.
- Walking in the hills of atmospheric Connemara, with its vast network of lakes, rivers and wetlands (bogs).
- Long summer evenings to explore colourful Irish village life.
- Flexibility to take part in unexpected events as we wish.
