Monday 14th October – Monday 21st October 2024
A week of hiking in some of Ireland’s most beautiful spots, where active days spent walking through the Beara Peninsula, The Burren and Connemara National Park are followed with evenings in charming, characterful hotels.
This morning, your tour guide Donncha will meet you all in the lobby of The Merrion Hotel, for the 4-hour drive to County Kerry and Sheen Falls Lodge.
We will stop en route in the charming town of Cashel, home to the Rock of Cashel, a complex of medieval buildings sitting in a picturesque spot above the town. After a brief visit to the Rock, enjoy lunch at Cashel Palace’s own Mikey Ryans, before continuing on your journey to Sheen Falls Lodge just outside Kenmare, where you can check in and relax.
That evening, we have made dinner reservations for you at Sheen Falls Lodge Restaurant.
Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: 2x superior deluxe, 1x suite
Meals Included: Lunch
Restaurant: The Stables Restaurant
Reservation Time: 19:00 |
Booking Reference: Whitehead
Payable Locally
Today, we’ll head out for a full day hiking the Beara Peninsula with Donncha, with walks set to your pace and wet weather options at the ready.
We will be joined by a local folklorist, who also specialises in the archaeology of the region to bring this fascinating landscape to life. The peninsula contains a long and varied scenic coast, two mountain ranges and a number of passes, and forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Dinner this evening is in the quaint town of Kenmare.
Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: 2x superior deluxe, 1x suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles
Restaurant: No 35 | Location: Kenmare
Reservation Time: 19:00 |
Booking Reference: Whitehead
Phone: +353 (0)64 664 1559 | Website: http://no35kenmare.com
Payable Locally
This morning, we make our way to Killarney National Park, the oldest National park in Ireland and home to the country’s highest mountain range, gorgeous lakes, waterfalls, medieval castles and ancient oak forest. Here Donncha will read you on a walk showcasing some of the stunning beauty of the park and the views she offers.
Departing Killarney in the afternoon, you travel north, to the county of Clare and to The Burren, a dramatic limestone escarpment with fascinating ancient sites and a distinctive mix of alpine and Mediterranean flowers in summer. This takes roughly 2.5/3 hours.
Dinner this evening is in your boutique luxury hotel. Gregan’s Castle Hotel in the heart of The Burren.
Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: 2x superior, 1x premier suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles
Restaurant: Gregans castle Hotel
Reservation Time: 19:00 |
Booking Reference: Whitehead
Payable Locally
After breakfast, we take to the surrounding wild and barren landscape for a hike in the rocky limestone of The Burren, learning about its fascinating ecosystem and the interplay between local people and this unique landscape over centuries.
Later we will pay a visit to The Burren Perfumery to see how this tiny business takes its inspiration from the plants and flowers on the The Burren and turns them into beautiful products enjoying a delicious lunch in their tea room.
We finish the day with a visit the iconic Cliffs of Moher we’ll visit the Cliffs of Moher along the Wild Atlantic Way—a breathtaking 2,500 km (1,550 mi.) coastal route flanked by crashing waves, white sand beaches, rugged cliffs and charming seaside villages.
We’ll have dinner booked in Monk’s in the seaside town of Ballyvaughan this evening.
Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: 2x superior; 1x premier suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 9 km / 6 miles
Restaurant: Monks of Ballyvaughan | Location: Ballyvaughan
Reservation Time: 19:00 |
Booking Reference: BMJ94D69
Phone: +353 (0)65 707 7059 | Website: https://www.monks.ie/
Payable Locally
After check out, you have the option to explore more in the Burren or if the weather is not the best for morning walking, head on up the road as we say in Ireland to Galway City en route to Ashford Castle. The vibrant capital of Ireland’s west, it’s a great opportunity to wander the cobbled streets and visit local galleries as well as enjoy a tasty lunch in the region’s culinary capital. It’s a 90-minute drive to the village of Cong, the backdrop of the Oscar-winning movie, The Quiet Man.
This afternoon we arrive at Ashford Castle, home to the oldest falconry school in Ireland. You will join an expert falconer to learn about this fascinating Medieval sport and witness the birds of prey in action, with the 800-year-old castle as your backdrop.
Dinner will be in The Dungeon Restaurant at Ashford Castle.
Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: 2x corrib lakeview; 1x suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Restaurant: The Dungeon | Location: Ashford Castle
Reservation Time: 18:30 |
Booking Reference: Whitehead
Payable Locally
We start our morning with a visit to a local sheep farm for a very special sheepdog demonstration with a beautifully scenic backdrop of Killary Fjord.
Our afternoon is spent hiking in Connemara National Park. Connemara is known for its rugged beauty, featuring mountains, lakes, bogs, and coastlines. Hikers can experience panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Twelve Bens mountain range, and endless rolling hills.
If time allows, we recommend a visit and tour of Kylemore Abbey, home to an order of Benedictine nuns who make and sell their own chocolate.
It’s back to Ashford Castle in time for dinner.
Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: 2x corrib lakeview; 1x suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles
Restaurant: Cullens Restaurant | Location: Ashford Castle
Reservation Time: 19:00 |
Booking Reference: Whitehead
Payable Locally
Today, we will transfer you from Ashford Castle to Ballyfin, which will take roughly 2.5 hours, stopping for lunch along the way.
Ballyfin is one of Ireland’s finest country houses and underwent a meticulous 9-year restoration, a period longer than its original construction in the 1820s. The spectacular house and its estate are now a 5-star hotel set in 614 acres of parkland, with horses, clay pigeon shooting, archery and falconry.
The afternoon is free for you to choose one of these activities and enjoy the magnificent estate.
Dinner this evening is booked at the onsite restaurant.
Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Room Type: 2x deluxe; 1x junior suite (Butler)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Restaurant: Ballyfin Demense
Reservation Time: 19:00
Payable Locally
Today marks the end of your B&R journey, and we include a transfer from Ballyfin back to Dublin for your onwards flights.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Supplier: Dublin Chauffeurs
Pick Up Location: Ballyfin Demense | Pick Up Time: 07:40 | Approx Duration: 2 hrs
Phone: +353 (0)87 233 8396
Justin or one of his drivers will meet you in the foyer of Ballyfin for your transfer to Dublin Airport
EU: +353 (0)91 457 898
US: 844 235 6240
Kenmare |
Kenmare |
Kerry |
V93 HR27 |
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)64 664 1600
Web: sheenfallslodge.ie
Gregans Castle Hotel |
Ballyvaughan |
Co. Clare |
H91 CF60 |
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)65 707 7005
Web: gregans.ie
Cong |
Co. Mayo |
F31 CA4 |
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)94 954 6003
Web: ashfordcastle.com
Ballyfin |
Co. Laois |
R32 X5X8 |
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)5787 55866
Web: ballyfin.com
Contact Number: +353 87 986 1202
I am and always have been for as long as I can remember, mad for being outdoors. I think the world would be a better place if everyone walked, ran, paddled, biked, or just went outdoors more regularly. I take my four young children outside to do these things and camp for multiple nights each year. I feel very lucky to guide people through the beautiful landscapes we have in Ireland. Mostly I love to help convey a sense of the rich and varied history/culture we Irish are famous for, either through song or story, early or late.
Monday 14th October – Monday 21st October 2024
