Looking for an opportunity to dust off those hiking boots? Well look no further!

We are delighted to launch our 1st walking weekend of the year this April. Kerry is a walker’s paradise at any time of the year and we take every opportunity to show it off!

This Kerry Way guided walking weekend will showcase 2 of the most popular legs of the long distance walking trail that is the Kerry Way. Many have experienced the beauty of the Ring of Kerry by car however this weekend gives us the chance to explore part of this stunning section of the country by foot with the added benefit of a fun group and local knowledge. Our local guides will share their inside knowledge on the trail, its folklore, flora and fauna giving you a unique insight into this slice of the Wild Atlantic Way.

In addition to these walks you will stay in Glenbeigh’s Kerry Ocean Lodge guesthouse where you will enjoy 2 nights’ accommodation and a hearty full Irish before heading out on the hills.

Enjoy picnic lunches with some of our 4 legged friends in some of the most unique and spectacular rest stops along the way! If that’s not enough evening meals are also included on both evenings in Glenbeigh’s local restaurants!

Whether you are new to walking or an old hand at it this weekend caters for the both the novice and the experienced walker in one fun group. We can’t think of a better way to spend the weekend so book today! We look forward to seeing you.

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Happy New Year Everyone! 2019 has well and truly begun. As we begin 2019 we thank each and every person who joined us in 2018! What a great year we had. The weather was wonderfully warm and dry for the better part of the summer, while unique holiday experiences, memories, and friendships began as well as continued.

Our New Year’s resolution is to wish you the same love that we and our growing Go Visit Ireland family have for this country. Come and experience it for yourself!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.
– Mark Twain

Let this be your Go Visit Ireland year.

What an exciting year lies ahead.

For 2019, choose from a varied selection of Guided Walking tours, dotted along the Wild Atlantic Way from Donegal to Kerry, Connemara to Wicklow. Discover the hidden Ireland, remote countryside locations, authentic cultural and historical experiences. You will have opportunities to meet the locals, visit restaurants serving locally produced food, enjoy listening to traditional Irish music in the nearby pubs. The guides are passionate and very knowledgeable about their locality and will relish the opportune to show it all to you.

Independent travellers can opt for one of our self-guided hike or bike tours. We will organise your accommodation (family run guesthouses/B&BS), maps and route details, luggage transfers, back up service, airport transfers and any other assistance you may require.

We can also organise your very own tailor-made holiday for you. We ensure all your requests and cultural interests are included. Customise your holiday and make it your own.
If you only have a day or two, that’s no problem. Enquire now to see if there are day walks to suit you. All levels of fitness are catered for. See website for more information or to book your holiday.

We will also be launching the start of guided Walking Weekends, beginning in April. The first weekend will comprise different legs of the Kerry Way and be based in Glenbeigh County Kerry. Keep an eye here for updates.

We look forward to welcoming you and wish everyone a healthy, happy & active New Year.

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The first time I tried to make Christmas puddings, I was terrified. We were not married long and my husband kept telling how much he loved to have traditional pudding for desert at Christmas, how well his mother made them (them!) so no pressure then. Looking at the long list of ingredients can seem a bit daunting but as I found out that most of these ingredients sit beside each other at the supermarket anyway. The original recipe I started with called for barley wine and rum as the wet liquids and a s I had neither in my cupboards I have stuck with a can of stout (Guinness) and it has worked perfectly!

Ingredients:
– 110g white breadcrumbs
– 110g shredded suet
– 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
– ½ teaspoon nutmeg
– ½ teaspoon cinnamon
– 225g soft brown sugar
– 25g chopped candied peel
– 25g chopped almonds
– 110g self-raising flour
– 1 small apple chopped and cored
– Grated zest of one lemon
– Grated zest of one orange
– 2 large eggs
– 150 ml stout
– 110g sultanas
– 110g raisins
– 275g currants

Method
Begin the day before you will be steaming the puddings.

Into a large mixing bowl put in your breadcrumbs, suet, sugar and spices. Mix together well and gradually add in the peel, nuts and dried fruit, followed by the apple, lemon and orange zest. Add the sifted flour. Stir well.

In a smaller mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add in the stout. Pour this over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Now is the perfect time to enlist the help of the rest of the family – my children especially love to stir the mixture and make a wish! They never eat any but love the tradition of making the puddings, stirring the mixture, making a wish, and of course licking the spoon afterwards!

The mixture should fall easily from the spoon, so keep adding the stout until this is achieved. Cover the bowl and leave overnight.

The following day divide the mixture into the pudding bowls. I usually get 3 different sized bowls and fill these. Cover with a double layer of parchment paper, secure with foil and string, allow for enough string to fashion a handle across the top of the bowl to lift it. Place bowls into steamer and steam on a low heat for 8 hours. Keep an eye on the water (several times!) and when finished allow to cool completely and replace the parchment and foil with fresh ones and store in a dark place until Christmas morning. Steam again for 1hr 30 minutes (depending on the size of your pudding bowls) until ready to serve. Remove from the bowl and place on warmed plate. Warm 30ml brandy and pour over the pudding. Turn off any lights and light the brandy. Your guests will applaud! Serve with brandy butter, custard, whipped cream or rum sauce to taste. Sit back and enjoy – you deserve it!

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The fires have started, the gathered turf is stored, the coal bucket is full to the brim but the walking boots are still at the door.

Irish walking trails and routes are still as beautiful at his time of year however just a bit more thought and preparation is required before you set off.
Here is some of our advice for walking in an Irish winter wonderland which may make all the difference between a joyful or miserable experience along the many walking trails that are suitable at this time of year.

Clothing:
1. Dress to suit the changing Irish weather conditions. Even though it is winter be prepared for “four seasons in the one day.” this advice stays for 365 days a year in Ireland!
2. Layers of clothing are better than one thick garment as they can be peeled off or on to suit conditions.
3. A warm hat and gloves
4. Waterproof jacket and trousers are essential
5. Cotton trousers that dry quickly
6. NO DENIM
7. Keep a change of clothes for the end of the walk, especially socks!!

Footwear:
Strong, waterproof boots with good cleated soles and ankle support are recommended for all walks but necessary for moderate to difficult walks. Comfortable walking shoes are ok for easier low level routes. Remember the fallen leaves can make surfaces very slippery!

Backpack:
It is essential to carry enough food and water for your walk. Using a bin liner inside your backpack will ensure your spare clothing stays dry. Accommodation hosts may provide packed lunches so please just ask. If not there are plenty of food counters in the supermarkets where you can stock up for the day!

General Advice:
1. Check the weather report the night before walking.
2. Check your walking route and that you have all your gear before leaving.
3. Avoid high peaks, if bad weather seems imminent.
4. Let someone know where you are going and your expected time of return. Do not do strenuous or very difficult routes alone.
5. Bring a first aid kit.
6. Stay away from cliff edges in windy conditions
7. Keep an eye on the time for shorter days
8. Admire the scenery and take as many photos are you can to record your memories

Most of all… Enjoy!

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Such a mixture of nationalities, sexes, ages, solo travellers and companions with the one common theme of activeness, whether in cycling or walking, joined us through this season to make it such a successful one.

We have loved all the photos and stories from you and our guides alike. Our guides are the most important element of our guided itineraries and where would we be without them? well…lost for one!! It is down to their experience, knowledge, friendliness and passion for the outdoors as to why you keep coming back over and over again.

For those who joined us on our self-guided/ independent holidays you were able to appreciate your holiday as you wished and at your own pace. While we arranged everything around your preferred activity you in turn determined how best to enjoy the experience for yourself.

As I write, the fallen golden leaves reminds me just how fast season after season goes by and how we need to embrace our holiday experiences and even try something new!!

We have so many walking and cycling options for 2019 at Go Visit Ireland, including some shorter breaks for those who don’t have as much time as they would like so please check out our 2019 calendar and we look forward to welcoming you next year.

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Many Fianna legends centre around the village of Glenbeigh where we are based for the first 4 nights of our Mythical Magical journey. Diarmuid and Grainne are believed to have spent some days hiding in a cave in the valley of the Behy and Rossbeigh.

Gráinne was bethrothed to Fionn, leader of the Fianna but she eloped with a Kerryman named Diarmuid Ó Duibhne and it was in this cave they were said to have taken refuge, however Fionn was said to have pursued them for seven years!!!

That very same Fionn had had a son Oisin who had fallen so deeply in love with Niamh, that he eloped with her to Tír na nÓg, The land of eternal youth! Now who wouldn’t want that?! But of course there had to be a catch! Oisín could never return to Ireland and if he did he would die. Heeding the warning but leaving anyway, Oisín and Niamh set off from Glenbeigh on their white horse from the magic wave at Rossbeigh beach and lived happily for years. Eventually however, a homesick Oisín returned home, only to age instantly and died as soon as his foot touched Ireland’s turf.

These stories are only part of what to expect on our Mythical Magical guided walking holiday. You can also enjoy some amazing walks, spectacular landscapes and breathtaking scenery. With a friendly professional guide, unique picnic lunch spots and some cuddly 4 legged locals each day will bring it’s own memories along the way. Places are still available on our July 21st and August 25th departures so don’t delay and book today.

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The Cliffs are a located close to Liscannor village in Co Clare and take their name from a ruined promontory fort ‘mothar’ (meaning the ruin of a fort) which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars in the early 1800s to make room for a signal tower at Hag’s Head.

They are a world-class natural attraction stretching for 8km (5 miles) with a sheer, 700-foot drop into the Atlantic. This in itself is the terrifyingly exciting view that becomes visible from your very arrival. As with most attractions in Ireland and our 4 seasons in one day you never know which Cliffs you are going to get!! The weather at the time of your visit will result in such different experiences for everyone and adds to the magic!

‘The Cliffs of insanity’ as they are portrayed as in the brilliant movie ‘The Princess Bride’ is quite possibly the most apt name for them upon viewing. The impressive scale and size of its towering cliffs, its rugged coastline, the crashing Atlantic waves along with the stunning landscape shows you how insane this location is beauty wise and how the combination of it all results in their absolute magnificence and its ‘must visit’ tag line.

So instead of taking my word for it why not come and experience them for yourself. Join us on one of our Connemara, Aran Islands & The Burren guided walking holiday this June, July or August and enjoy the very best of the west of Ireland on foot under the expert leadership of Ulrich, our West of Ireland guide.

For more information, see our Connemara, Aran Islands and The Burren tour >>

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It’s called so due to the tradition of eating pancakes on the day. This tradition comes from a time where any remaining rich foods were eaten on the day before Lent to use them up, and fasting begins.

So the dilemma is – do you go savoury or sweet? Favourite toppings here are Bacon, ham & cheese, nutella & banana, lemon and sugar, berries and ice cream. Or do you have both!!!
As the day suggests it is the one day that you can over indulge while tossing your pancakes around the kitchen.

Here is an easy recipe to follow:

Ingredients: (makes 10 ish pancakes)
– 100g plain flour
– 300ml milk
– 2 eggs
– Sunflower oil or butter
– Any topping you like

Method:
Mix the flour, milk and eggs in a bowl. Pour a drop of sunflower oil or butter into your pan on a medium heat. Pour or spoon enough of the mixture to cover the pan. Cook, flip and serve. Repeat until all the batter is gone. Top with either sweet or savoury treats and serve.

Enjoy and please do share any photos of your delicious creations on our Facebook page!

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The introduction of our boat trip to Skellig Islands was a fantastic addition to our walking and cycling programmes and despite some bad weather were able to make lots of dreams and lifelong ambitions come true.

For 2018, we are delighted to introduce 2 new guided walking itineraries for the coming year. Our Magical Mythical Kerry guided moderate walking tour is based in the southwest of Ireland in the coastal village of Glenbeigh and the National Park town of Killarney. Immerse yourself in Ancient Irish myths, legends & folklore following the mythical journey of a blind magician and his band of students from his school on Valentia Island to Killarney on his way to remove a curse placed on the cows of North Cork. Other ancient myths (and more recent history) add flavour to our journey walking sections of the Kerry Way walking trail & Killarney National Park.

For those who prefer a more leisurely cultural walking holiday our Skellig Coastline & Killarney Lakelands tour is just for you. This guided programme combines unique Celtic cultural experiences and gentle walking along the south-westernmost section of the Wild Atlantic Way based in the market town of Cahersiveen and vibrant Killarney town. Enjoy its various activities along with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Skellig Islands and make some amazing unforgettable memories.

We look forward to welcoming you and wish everyone a healthy, happy & active New Year.

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In Ireland, mince pies make their appearance in shops, bakeries, and holiday markets around this time of year and the aroma of these miniature pies begins to hit homes in the run up to the Christmas preparations.

Even though they we call them mince pies the most important thing to understand is that although the pies are filled with what is known as ‘mincemeat’ there is NO actual meat in it. It consists of apples, raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed peel and a mix of Christmas spices enclosed in pastry that entices us back for more day after day over the Christmas celebrations.

This taste of Christmas as always varies from house to house and recipe to recipe and for today I have decided to share Donal Skehans tried and tested delicious recipe for mini pies ideal for sharing or for giving as gifts.

Ingredients

• 170g flour
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 100g cold butter, cut into small chunks
• 1 tbsp of caster sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tbsp of water
• 420g jar of mince meat
• 1 egg

Method
Place the flour and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.

Add the butter and rub in using your fingertips until you have a rough breadcrumb like mixture. Don’t worry it will come together!

Add the sugar and the egg yolk and mix through with a spoon.

Add the water slowly until a dough comes together.

Form a ball with your hands, cover in cling film and place in the fridge to chill for at least 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 5.

Roll the pastry dough out to about half a centimetre in thickness and cut out 20 circles and 20 stars. You may need to gather the scraps and re roll the pastry to get enough cases.

Oil a mini muffin tray and fill with the pastry circles.

Fill each mini pie with the mincemeat and top with the pastry stars.

Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown.

Serve straight away with some cream or better still Irish whiskey cream or Brandy butter!

Give them a try and share with your nearest and dearest this holiday season.

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