 This one centre tour is based for the week in picturesque village of Westport, Co Mayo. The walks are at a relaxed pace up to 8 miles (12 km) daily, ideal for those who like their walking without too much effort. You will be taken a different direction each day to ramble and explore quiet country lanes, bog roads and wild Atlantic coastal paths.
Westport nestles under the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay and its enchanting islands. There are some wonderful craft & pottery shops, bookshops, restaurants, pubs and art galleries as well as the beautiful tree lined boulevard know as The Mall. The town weaves its spell around everyone it meets.
Accommodation: Clew Bay Hotel, Westport
For the duration of your holiday you will be based in the recently refurbished 3 star Clew Bay Hotel in Westport, Co Mayo.
What Your Guided Walk Includes:
- 7 nights' accommodation in 3 star Clew Bay Hotel based on two people sharing.
- 7 full Irish breakfasts
- 6 Dinners
- 5 Packed lunches
- Experienced Local Guide
- Transfers to and from walks
- Transfers to and from Westport train station
- Return ferry to Clare island.
Tour Highlights:
- Visit Achill Island, Irelands largest offshore island
- Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain and a place of pilgrimage for 5000 years
- Clare Island - home to the legendary pirate queen Grainne Uaile, tour the 12th century Cistercian Abbey with its remarkable wall paintings.
- Kylemore Abbey, Neo Gothic former home of Mitchell Henry now in use as a premier boarding school for girls by the Benidictine nuns.
- Killary Harbour a fine example of a drowned glaciated valley and a superb
coastal walk.
Day 1 Arrival
Optional Pick up Westport train station. Dinner and Briefing with Guide at 17.00hrs. Westport is special; the essence of Irelands magical west. Nestling under the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay and its enchanting islands, the town weaves its spell around everyone it meets.
Day 2 Achill Island
Achill Island, Ireland's biggest offshore island, has been a favourite destination for many artists and writers over the years, namely Paul Henry and Graham Greene as well as German Nobel prize winner Heinrich Boll. Your walk starts at the deserted village at Slievemore and finishes under the shadow of Croaghaun Mountain.
Day 3 Kylemore Abbey
We begin our day with a visit to Kylemore Abbey (19th C), the Neo Gothic former home of Mitchell Henry & now a girl's boarding school. Afterwards, we continue our ramble on The Western Way, finishing in Leenane, the crossroads for Connemara and Ireland's smallest village. Leenane is famous as the location for the movie The Field starring Richard Harris and Tom Berenger.
Day 4 Croagh Patrick
Today we visit Ireland's national famine monument and walk the pilgrim path to the 1st station on Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain and a place of pilgrimage for 5000 years.
Day 5 Free Day
Today you have the choice of just relaxing and discovering the lovely town of Westport.
There are some wonderful craft shops, pottery, art galleries and bookshops.
Other options are: Play golf in Westport, deep-sea fishing or cycling.
 Day 6 Walk on Clare Island
A short sailing to Clare Island, which is synonymous with Grace O'Malley, the formidable ruler of the Clew Bay district during the second half of the 16th century. The walk takes us to the northernmost end of the island before returning to the quayside for our return ferry.
Day 7 Killary Harbour Coastal Walk
We drive to the head of Ireland's only fiord and begin our walk on an old famine road that was built by the starving Irish peasantry during the great famine of the 1840's. On route you will clearly see evidence of famine villages and lazy beds the name given to the potato ridges where the poor Irish peasant tried to provide food for his starving family.
Shopping time in Westport in the afternoon.
Day 8 Departure
After your final Irish breakfast, you may avail of the optional complimentary transfer to Westport Railway Station.
Getting There:
Transfers to and from Westport railway station are included in the price.
See Terms and Conditions and Price List
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