Exploring the Aran Islands and Connemara

Arrive in vibrant Galway City. Easily accessible from Dublin, Galway City sits on the Atlantic Coast at the mouth of the River Corrib. With medieval streets, lively pubs and a thriving Irish music scene, Galway is a wonderful introduction to the west coast of Ireland. Soak up the atmosphere in Eyre Square and wander the medieval streets as you stroll through the Latin Quarter to the Spanish Arch. Galway is a small city with a big Irish personality. Galway is served by frequent train and bus services from Dublin and other Irish cities. The journey takes around 2.5 hours at very reasonable cost. Accommodation : Overnight in a simple Galway B&B. Note that Galway can be a busy place during numerous local festivals and we recommend booking in advance to secure accommodation in the city.

After enjoying an Irish breakfast, take a local bus (included and voucher provided) to Rossaveal to catch the ferry (also included) for the short hour-long journey across the sea to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. The Aran Islands are located 30 miles from the Galway coast and maintain the cultural heritage of traditional Irish life, including the production of the distinctive knitted Aran sweaters. The distinctive landscape crisscrossed by stone walls and thatched cottages is centuries old and was featured in the film The Banshees of Inisherin. The three islands are all Irish-speaking, although residents are bilingual. Inishmore is the largest of the islands and is rich with archaeological sites. After settling in to your accommodation we recommend a walk to explore the eastern part of the island taking in Dun Duchathair (the Black Fort), the Puffing Holes remote beaches and wild headlands. Accommodation: 2 nights in a guesthouse in the small fishing village of Kilronan, also home to the famous Aran Sweater shop. The sweaters were traditionally hand-knit from local wool in patterns echoing Celtic symbols and are unique to the family. *To note make sure you take your luggage with you to the island. Your luggage transfer does not start until day 4 of your trip when you are back in the mainland

A second day on Inishmore offers the chance for further exploration and your walk today takes you to the north of the island via the small country lanes and green roads to Kilmurvey. Here you will visit Dun Aonghasa (Dun Aengus). Perched on a sheer sea cliff, the ancient stone fort of Dun Aengus faces directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The fort is over 3000 years old and is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts on the islands. The views from here are magnificent. The trail continues through limestone rocks that are rich in rare flora during spring and summer as you continue to Gort na gCapall (The Field of the Horses) and back to Kilronan where you will have time to shop for Aran sweaters and enjoy a visit to one of the village pubs. Accommodation: A second night in your Kilronan guesthouse.

Say your goodbyes to island life and take the early ferry around 8am to return to the mainland. On arrival at Rossaveel, you will be met and transported by private vehicle (45 mins) to Maam in Connemara, the land described by the Irish poet Michael Cody as “A state of light. Of fluent sky, flayed rock and flowering bog. Of storied lake and inlet and deep song. Of wind and wild”. Your exploration on foot will take you through the Mamturk Mountains along a section of the Western Way trail, a long-distance path extending through the whole of County Galway. Your route follows an old pilgrim route that rises gently into the mountains passing St Patrick’s Church and Holy Well, where it is said St Patrick rested on his way to Croagh Patrick, the sacred mountain that remains an important pilgrimage site today. Continue your hike to cross the spine of the Maamturk Mountains, where the quartzite rock sparkles after rain, and enjoy views of the Maam Valley and ahead to the Twelve Bens mountain range and the Lough Inagh valley. Accommodation: Overnight in an estate-style hotel in Lough Inagh.

Today’s walk begins at your accommodation and follows an old road flanking the base of the Maamturks. This area is completely uninhabited and has been since the days of the great famine in 1845. This is one of the most remote parts of the trail where you can enjoy the peace of the area’s wild beauty. Descend to the village of Leenane and savour the views of Ireland’s only fjord, Killary, moulded by glaciers over 10,000 years ago. Finish your walk in Leenane a small village nestling on the shore of the fjord and flanked by the Connemara mountains. You can visit the Connemara Sheep and Wool Centre to learn more about the history of sheep farming in the area and perhaps dine at the Leenane Hotel to enjoy waterside views and celebrate the end of your hiking adventure

Enjoy a final Irish breakfast and pack your bags ready to depart. From Leenane you can take a local bus to Westport Train Station from where trains run directly to Dublin. If you would like to extend your stay in Ireland, please discuss the options with your travel consultant.