Rick and Lynne Hoskins – Connemara and Mayo Adventure

Day 1 - Wednesday 31^st July - Arrive into Galway

Arriving into Ireland this morning, we will arrange a private transfer to meet you at the airport and whisk you into Galway’s buzzing city centre. We will recommend a few of our favourite locally sourced restaurants for dinner in the city centre – along with the best traditional music pubs – with the evening free to settle in and explore the unofficial ‘capital of the west coast’ at your own pace.

Overnight: Galway City | The G Hotel
Room Type: Superior Room
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Thursday 1^st August - The Holy Mountain of Croagh Patrick

While Lynne spends the day soaking in west Galway’s stunning remote scenery at her art workshop, Rick’s private guide will meet at your Galway hotel this morning and embark together for a couple guided days exploring Mayo’s wild landscapes. The best way to get introduced to the wilds of Mayo is with the pilgrimage up the rocky sides of Croagh Patrick, whose tradition stretches back over 5,000 years from the Stone Age to the present day. The hike takes you along the ancient and significant pilgrimage route right up to the tiny white church at the summit. From there, take in a spectacular vista of Clew Bay, where it’s said there are 365 drumlin islands (one for each day of the year!). After the hike, head into Westport town to enjoy lovely cafes, pubs and shops.

We can arrange for a private transfer to and from The G Hotel for Lynne’s 25 minute commute to & from her art workshop, as well as an additional night in The G Hotel for her tonight.

Overnight: Westport | The Westport Plaza Hotel
Room Type: Gold Experience King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Friday 2^nd August - Cycle The Great Western Greenway, or Sail to The Pirate's Island

The choice is yours today to either stay on land or travel to one of the many remote islands dotting the Mayo coast. If opting to stay near Westport, your guide will lead you along a stretch of the Great Western Greenway, a stunningly beautiful 49 kilometre entirely car-free coastal route from Westport to Achill Island. This option is perfect for an active day with an aim to break up the walking days, experiencing Ireland’s rolling green hills and crashing waves from a different perspective.

Alternatively, take the ferry with your guide out to Clare Island, a 25-minute ferry ride off the coast of Mayo and home to jagged cliffs, pristine beaches and wondrous ruins. Your hike here follows an old green road past abbeys and Neolithic ruins before winding upwards to the dramatically situated lighthouse on the island’s northern cliffs.

We will arrange a private driver to transfer Lynne from her art workshop up to Westport to join for an evening together after the day’s activities, or for an evening cycle at sunset.

Overnight: Westport | The Westport Plaza Hotel
Room Type: Gold Experience King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Saturday 3^rd August - Mweelrea Mountain, Connacht's Highest Peak

Your final stop in Mayo is also its most striking. At 814m (2,700 feet), Mweelrea is the highest mountain in the region of Connacht. Mweelrea’s allure is not only in its height but also in its magnificent setting. To the south, Mweelrea falls steeply to the waters of Killary Harbour, Ireland’s largest fjord and gateway to Connemara National Park. To the east stretches the sprawling Sheeffry Hills and the mountain of Ben Gorm. Embark on this challenging hike with your guide en route to your hotel nestled on the outskirts of Connemara in the village of Clifden.

Overnight: Connemara | The Ardagh Hotel
Room Type: Sea View Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Sunday 4^th August - The 12 Bens Mountain Range

The sharp quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens (or in Irish Na Beanna Beola) are an ever-present feature of Connemara. Though part of Connemara National Park, few travellers ever venture into these wild mountains. Today’s hike will take you through the backcountry to summit several of these amazing peaks, enjoying a view of Connemara’s Atlantic edge that few are ever privy to. On the way, keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, wild mountain goats and native red deer.

Overnight: Connemara | The Ardagh Hotel
Room Type: Sea View Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Monday 5^th August - Killary Fjord & Seafood Experience

Enjoy a special treat today to wrap up your time on Ireland’s west coast. This morning you will visit a family-run shellfish farm amidst the Killary Fjord, where you will head out onto the fjord to lift a string of mussels for hauling and harvesting and understand the lifecycle of these delicious shellfish. The tour wraps with a three-course seafood lunch at the farm house, sure to leave a wonderful aftertaste for the afternoon drive to Dublin. Your guide will drop you off at your 5-star hotel in the city centre, a perfect home base for a few days’ exploration of Ireland’s buzzing capital.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion
Room Type: Merrion Queen Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Tuesday 6^th August - Historical Dublin City

The day is yours to explore Dublin largely at your own pace, with one special guided experience baked in to help bring the city to life. Head out in the morning to enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern. See the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Your guide is also a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by.

We will recommend a range of restaurant choices tonight to celebrate the week of adventure gone by together in one of Dublin’s vibrant venues.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion
Room Type: Merrion Queen Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Wednesday 7^th August - Depart from Dublin

We will arrange a private transfer to bring you to Dublin Airport in time for your departing flight. We hope you have enjoyed your time in Ireland, and cannot wait to welcome you back to our friendly shores!

Meals Included: Breakfast