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Guided
one Centre Walking in Galway &
Mayo |
Ref:
GM |
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| Moderate walks of 6-9
miles (10-15km) per day with gradual ascents
of up to 900ft (275m). Croagh Patrick 1600ft
(490m). |
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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.
For the duration of your holiday you will
be based in the recently refurbished 3
star
Clew
Bay Hotel in Westport, Co Mayo.
• 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..
Optional Pick up at Westport train station. Dinner and
Briefing with guide at 17.00hrs.
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. A 15 minute drive takes
you us the head of Ireland’s only fiord – Killary
Harbour for the first hike of the week. You will walk on
an old famine road that was built by the starving Irish
peasants during the great famine 1845 – 1849. On
the route you will clearly see the ruins of famine villages
and lazy beds, the name given to the potato ridges where
the starving Irish peasant tried to provide food
for his family.
Walk Details: 6 miles, no ascent, good track
but wet and boggy in places.
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. Croagh Patrick is Ireland’s holy
mountain where Patrick, the patron saint, spent 40 days
and nights praying and fasting in 441AD.
Walk Details: 8 miles, 1750 feet, uphill climb on a loose
stoned, pilgrim track, small section of bog and country
lanes.
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.
(Please note that the crossing to the island is subject
to wind and weather conditions and may, in some cases be
taken earlier in the week at the discretion of the guide.)
Walk Details: 8 miles on good level surface on back country
roads - some uphill.
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.
We journey South once more to Connemara. Our hike today
is through a pine forest with excellent views of the
quarzite 12 Bens mountain range. The final 3 miles are
on an elevated
section with great views down Killary fiord. The walk
ends in the village of Leenane - famous as the location
for
the film The Field which starred the late Richard Harris
and Tom Berenger as "The Yank" Leenane has a
very small population but don’t worry it also has
two pubs for you to slake your thirst in.
Walk Details: 9 Miles. Ascent 300 feet on good track.
For our last walk of the week we head to the North side
of Clew Bay and walk the foothills of the Nephin mountain
range which is a huge wilderness area. You will see peat
or turf cutting as we go along. By mid afternoon, around
3 pm approx we will return to Westport in time for you
to catch up on some last minute shopping.
Walk Details: 7 Miles, Ascent 300 feet on a good quality
bog road.
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€950 per person sharing.
(US$1349 / Stg£656 approx.)
( Please see booking information)
€210
for the week (limited availability).
• 7 nights accommodation in 3 star Clew
Bay Hotel based on two people sharing
• 7 full Irish Breakfasts.
• 1 Dinner.
• 5 packed lunches.
• Experienced local guide throughout the week
• Transfers to and from walks each day
• Transfer to and from Westport train station
• Return ferry to Clare island.
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Transfers to and from Westport railway
station are included in the price.
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Private
taxi transfer (at client’s
expense)
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Knock airport to
Westport
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€80
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Shannon airport
to Westport
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€200
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3 trains daily from Dublin Heuston Train Station to Westport.
For further information
on times & fares see – www.irishrail.ie.
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