Karen's Irish Adventure

Sunday 15th September – Friday 20th September 2024

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

Overview

Picturesque coastal towns and villages, green pastoral fields, soaring cliffs, wild barren landscapes, the crash of the ocean, the laugh of a local. Ireland is romantic, and authentic, a home away from home where both old and modern seem to cohabit seamlessly on a small island in the middle of the sea. Packed with history and tradition your days are spent exploring the island of Ireland’s famous and off-the-beaten-track sites of natural, cultural and political interest. A world-renowned food scene means your evenings are spent dining in style and with the promise of a pub just around the corner, music and laughter are never far away. Your trip to Ireland will surprise and delight you but the people of Ireland will stay with you, long after your journey has taken you home.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Sunday 15th September | Arrival in Dublin | Overnight: Dublin

Day 2 | Monday 16th September | Exploring Sligo | Overnight: Sligo

Day 3 | Tuesday 17th September | Knocknarea & Mayo | Overnight: Westport

Day 4 | Wednesday 18th September | The Wilds of Mayo | Overnight: Westport

Day 5 | Thursday 19th September | Westport & Achill Island | Overnight: Westport

Day 6 | Friday 20th September | Connemara National Park

Highlights

  • Explore the Wild Atlantic Way’s least-visited section, the Surf Coast of Sligo and Mayo
  • Experience Ireland's wild and untouched scenery

Day by Day

Day 1 - Sunday 15th September - Arrival in Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, we have arranged an arrival airport transfer that will take you to your city centre hotel. Check-in is at 3 pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat. Later, you’ll visit one of Dublin’s most historic sights with a tour of Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Your public guided Trinity tour will take you around the campus, discovering some of the secrets and famous pupils who graced its halls and quads before making your way to the Old Library for an audio tour of the Book of Kells with its new immersive digital experience. Finish the day at a cosy pub after dinner.

Overnight: Dublin | The Leinster
Room Type: x1 Superior
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Monday 16th September - Exploring Sligo

It’s easy to see how the windswept landscapes of Sligo captured the imagination of Irish national poet W.B. Yeats. Take the train West to explore the hidden gems of this quiet corner of Ireland, picking up your rental car on arrival. We recommend a hike at the foot of iconic Ben Bulben Mountain or a visit to the oldest and densest concentration of Neolithic tombs in Ireland – Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery. Great local seafood and secret sand beaches are the icing on the cake.

Overnight: Sligo | The Glasshouse
Room Type: x1 double room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Tuesday 17th September - Knocknarea & Mayo

Your guide will meet you this morning at the foot of the imposing Knocknarea mountain which stands tall dominating the peninsula’s landscape. Legend has it that the Warrior Queen Maeve is buried atop the mountain, signified by a large 10-metre tall cairn visible from sea level, as the mountain served as an important outpost during her reign over the western counties.  Following your hike, your guide will join you for lunch in the nearby Strandhill, a small seaside village neighbouring Sligo town renowned for its world-class surfing. Leave the hub of Sligo behind, heading towards the wilds of Mayo. We’ll recommend amazing experiences such as an authentic seaweed bath – complete with original cast iron tubs and a visit to dramatic blowholes. The vibrant market town of Westport is a bustling regional hub and host to some of Ireland’s most musical pubs.

Overnight: Westport | Knockranny House Hotel
Room Type: x1 deluxe double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Wednesday 18th September - The Wilds of Mayo

With a local guide, explore the area on a day hike through some of Ireland’s most wild and untouched scenery. There is a range of options to suit all experience levels but our favourite is possibly Ireland’s most spectacular coastal walk. Along the way, learn about the fascinating flora of Ireland’s blanket bog landscape and brush up on your Irish mythology with the ancient story of the Children of Lir, who were turned into swans for 900 years. The best part is you’ll have it all to yourself.

Overnight: Westport | Knockranny House
Room Type: x1 deluxe double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Thursday 19th September - Westport & Achill Island

The vibrant market town of Westport lies at the edge of the Wild Nephin wilderness and on the shores of Clew Bay, known for the hundreds of tiny islands created by glaciers millennia ago. The imposing silhouette of the pilgrimage site, Croagh Patrick Mountain, dominates the surrounding countryside. We recommend a visit to Westport House – its legendary beginnings dating back to Pirate Queen of Connacht Grace O’Malley, whose castle forms the foundations of the house. Take the short drive to Achill Island, the largest island in the country and one of the filming locations for the movie “The Banshees of Inisherin”.

Overnight: Westport | Knockranny House Hotel
Room Type: x1 deluxe double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Friday 20th September - Connemara National Park

Leaving Westport behind, feast your eyes upon the breathtaking shores of one of Ireland’s only three fjords before heading to the expanses of Connemara. Once described as “a savage beauty” by author Oscar Wilde, explore the wild, windswept region. Spend the late morning meeting our favourite local character of the area overlooking the fjord. Tom operates a working sheep farm in the open fields of the park, and this morning he will share his knowledgeable experience of the region capped off with a demonstration of his sheepdogs at work. Finish your day in Galway where you will drop off your rental car and continue on your journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 6 and a post-night stay in Dublin
  • Breakfast each morning & 2 lunch
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary; specifically;
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Train ticket to Sligo
  • Taxi to Sligo Enterprise
  • Hiking Guide on Knocknarea
  • Hiking Guide in North Mayo
  • Public Sheepdog Demonstration
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24-hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for activity providers
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
  • As we are less than 4 weeks from the departure date, the full balance is now due for this trip
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision
Pricing Read More

The price of this trip is €5,285 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.

Virtuoso

Karen’s Irish Adventure

Sunday 15th September – Friday 20th September 2024