A wonderful guided walking week with Seán Ó Súilleabháin, founder of the Kerry Way walking route over 30 years ago.

TOUR: 8 days

DATES 2008: May 3, July 26, Aug 16, Aug 30.

Price 2008: €895 per person sharing. (US$1271 / Stg£618 approx.)

Single Supplement: €189 for the week (limited availability)
(Please see booking information)

GRADE:

&

Walking Grades explained

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Seán Ó Súilleabháin
Seán Ó Súilleabháin is one of Ireland’s leading walking experts and Go Ireland’s director of Activity Programmes since 1994. Seán founded the Kerry Way in the 1970’s and wrote the best selling ‘Walk Guide – Southwest of Ireland’. He has devised our itineraries and assembled a great team of guides, many of whom are bi-lingual. He writes the notes that accompany the Dingle & Kerry Way independent walking tours. Seán would like to invite you on this special walk with him and share his passion for Ireland with you.

Walk with Seán Ó Súilleabháin on routes which have existed from time immemorial in the footsteps of the early Irish saints. Visit landmark spiritual sites from pagan times. Relax and unwind along the wild Atlantic coastline, renewing your spirit on this cultural experience of a lifetime.

The Kerry Way, a low-level walking route, uses the old droving paths and coach roads of the Iveragh Peninsula to create a spiritual journey through history and folklore. Spectacular views, combined with rare flora and fauna, geology and bird watching will be appreciated by all, whether amateur or enthusiast. With an experienced local guide at hand and luggage transfer taken care of, all you have to do is walk tall and enjoy a unique Irish experience.

Tour Highlights:
• The Kerry Way Walking Route– walking through history
• Spectacular coastal walks – along Dingle Bay and Kenmare River/Bay, Derrynane Beach
• Boat trip to World Heritage site, Great Skellig Island (habited 8th century by Irish monks)
• Pass the worlds largest Gannet colony on Little Skellig island
• Killarney National Park – Innisfallen Island & Abbey (6th - 12th century) , Muckross Friary (15th century), Muckross House (19th century) and Gardens, habitat of the native Irish Red Deer
• Staigue Stone Fort (circa 1,000 BC)
• Irish music, song and dance


Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive at accommodation in Glenbeigh. Evening dinner at 18.30 hrs followed by briefing.

Day 2 The Kerry Way (Glenbeigh to Kells)
Distance: 17km/10.5miles Ascent: 300m/1,000ft
The first day's walking takes you on the early Christian route and medieval coaching road from Glenbeigh to Kells with detours to view archaeological artefacts such as the 4,000 year old Rock Art and Ogham stones of Drunghill and spectacular views across Dingle Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 3 Knocknadobar
Distance: 10.5km/6.5miles Ascent: 700m/2,300ft
Views of the Atlantic Ocean and Dingle Bay are enlarged on a mountain walk. Knocknadobar (Cnoc na dTobar, the hill of the wells) was a pagan mountain. Now you can follow the Stations of the Cross to the Canon’s Cross near the summit. A spur of the Kerry Way descends to Kells Cove where a refreshing swim could be an appropriate way to end the day. Transfer along the Ring of Kerry to the village of Caherdaniel. Overnight Caherdaniel.

Day 4 Great Skellig Island
Distance: 1.6km/1miles (steep) Ascent: 180m/600ft
The pilgrim theme is continued as we take a boat trip to a World Heritage Site, the monastic island of Sceilg Mhichíl, dedicated like so many other isolated hermitages to Saint Michael. We pass the international gannetry of the Little Skellig. Overnight Caherdaniel.

Note: We have not included the price of visiting the Skelligs as this is a weather dependent trip. There will be a charge of €35 per person for the trip.

Day 5 The Kerry Way and Caherdaniel/Derrynane
Distance and Ascent: optional
You can enjoy a choice of walks - on the Blue Flag Derrynane Beach,
through Derrynane National Park or the gardens of Derrynane
House. A longer walk on a Mass/Smugglers Path allows views from a
higher level, as you return to Caherdaniel on the butter road leg of
the Kerry Way.

Day 6 The Kerry Way (Caherdaniel to Sneem)
Distance: 8km/5miles Ascent: 350m/1,150ft
You return to walking the old coach road, continuation of the butter route, linking the picturesque villages of Caherdaniel and Sneem. There are spectacular views across the island-studded Kenmare Bay to the Beara peninsula. Pick-up at, the pre-historic stone fort of Staigue (circa 1,000 BC). Transfer along the Ring of Kerry to overnight in Killarney.

Day 7 Killarney National Park
Distance: 6km/3.75miles Ascent: reasonably level
A variety of experiences await you on your final day. A walk on Ross Island introduces you to copper mining dating from prehistory. A short boat trip to Innisfallen Island allows exploration of its monastic ruins. The boat drops us near 15th century Muckross Friary, to be explored before a short walk on the Kerry Way to the 19th century Muckross House, its Gardens and Tea Shop. Overnight in Killarney. Farewell Dinner.

Day 8 Departure.

Note that, for weather or other reasons, on occasion the guide may have to change the sequence of walks or the walks themselves.

DATES 2008: May 3, July 26, Aug 16, Aug 30.

Price 2008: €895 per person sharing. (US$1271 / Stg£618 approx.)

Single Supplement: €189 for the week (limited availability)
(Please see booking information)

Price includes:
• Courtesy transfer from and to Kerry and Shannon Airports (Please see below).
• Seven nights accommodation based on two adults sharing in Irish Tourist Board approved accommodation with en-suite facilities (3 star hotel for 3 nights and quality guesthouses for the remainder).
• Full Irish breakfast on seven days
• Six packed lunches.
• Six dinners.
• Trained escort/guide throughout itinerary.
• Luggage transfers.
• Boat Trip to Innisfallen island (Day 7)