Magic Islands along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland

17 – 27 July 2023

Dates

11 Days

Duration

12 – 16

Groupsize

Magic Islands along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland

Inishmore, Inishbofin, Inishark, Clare Island, Westport

On each of the five Islands, in very different landscapes, we will make easy walks with local guides. From them and other islanders we will get a lot of information about island life and the struggle for survival today and in earlier times. We will visit the uninhabited island of Inishark and get to know, why the people had ot leave a long time ago. On the way to Clare Island we will drive through the magic landsape of Connemara where we will visit a sheep farm with a sheep dog demonstration. The trip ends in the picturesque little town of Westport where we will visit a music session in the famous pub of Matt Molloy (member of “The Chieftains”): a trip with a lot of time to relax and explore yourself.

The tour will be led by Elizabeth Zollinger, founder of the project “Celtic Spirit” on Inis Mór

More detailed tour information is given in the Itinerary Section.

PROGRAMME DATE

17 – 27 July 2023 (11 days)

BOOKING

No later then 1 May 2023 (early booking recommended: places limited and flights are cheaper if booked early)

TRAVEL / FLIGHTS

Dublin Airport (flight individually or with other participants), bus to Galway (every half an hour direct from the airport)

Meet in Galway at meeting point at 16.30

individually back from Westport by train to Dublin (good connections)

INCLUDED

10 nights B+B and hotels sharing

All common bus and boat transport (excluding flights)

5 evening meals and 1 lunch

Organization and guided tours and other activities in accordance to program.

NOT INCLUDED

5 evening meals and lunches (mostly picknick)

Flights and travel to Galway and from Westport, beverages and tips, insurances

ACCOMMODATION

3 nights in Kilmurvey Guesthouse on Inis Mór

3 nights in Inishbofin House Hotel on Inishbofin

3 nights in luxurious B+B’s on Clare Island

1 night in the ****Castlecourt Hotel and Spa in Westport

COST

Euro 1560 – 1740.-, depending on exchange rate and number of participants, from Galway to Westport.

Additional nights in Galway, Westport and on Inis Mór can be booked: starting from Euro 50.-, B+B sharing.

SUPPLEMENTS

Single rooms: Euro 310.- dep. on exchange rate
(As the hotels/guesthouses are small there are not many single rooms available and we would appreciate if people are willing to share, may be even part time)

CANCELLATION

Up to 60 days before departure: 10% of the total price
59-31 days before departure: 60% of the total price
30-1 days before departure: 80% of the total price
On the day of departure or no show up: 100% of the total price

Elizabeth Zollinger, an artist from Zurich, lives part-time on Inis Mór since 1974 and is strongly connected with the island, its people and its culture. In cooperation with some Islanders she created the project “Celtic Spirit “in 1996, offering Cultural Weeks which aim to retain the culture and heritage of Inis Mór while developing and promoting a sustainable tourism on the island. She has many years experience in organizing and guiding tours.

download pdf: Magic Islands 2023

Additional information

Destination	Aran Islands, Co. Galway, Clare Island, Inishbofin, Westport
Age	12+

Day 1

Meeting in Galway at 16:30, bus (50 min.) and boat (40 min.) to the island of Inis Mór, transfer to Kilmurveyhouse, dinner, overnight stay: Kilmurveyhouse, (D)

Day 2

Info about the island and program with Elizabeth and Treasa Ní Mhiolláin, sean nós singer, visit Vincent, fisherman and basket maker and the seaweed factory, hike along the cliffs (2 hrs) to the ancient site of Dun Aonghasa, dinner in Catherines lovely Coffee shop, overnight stay: Kilmurveyhouse, (B/D).

Day 3

Cliff walk to Dún Dubh Chathair (21/2 hrs), free time in the village of Kilronan, have a pint of Guinness or a coffee, shopping etc., overnight stay: Kilmurveyhouse, (B).

Day 4

Boat to Rossaveal (45 min.), bus to Cleggan and crossing to Inishbofin (45 min.). In the afternoon you can join the Eco tourism walk with Tommy Burke or explore the island yourself (swim, walk or just relax), overnight stay: Inishbofin House Hotel, (B/D).

Day 5

Morning. chat with Tommy Burke about island life, time at leisure, after lunch: beautiful easy walk along the shore with Elizabeth (2 hrs), overnight: Inishbofin House Hotel, (B)

Day 6

Morning: explore the island on your own, afternoon: boat trip to the seal colony and the uninhabited island of Inishark (45 min.), walk with Tommy on the island (1 hr.), back to Inishbofin and overnight stay in Inishbofin House Hotel, (B)

Day 7

Boat back to Cleggan, bus tour through the mystical mountains and moors of Connemara, visit the Glen Keen sheep farm, and learn about their life and the area, tea and scones, proceed to Roonagh Pier, crossing to Clare Island (20 min.), time to explore or go for a swim, overnight stay in luxurious, friendly B+B’s, (B/D)

Day 8

Walk and talk with a Peter Gill, tour through the Macalla farm with Ciara and visit the handweaver Beth Moran, time to relax, 6 course dinner in the organic Maccalla farm, overnight stay in the B+B’s, (B/D)

Day 9

Whiskey tour and listen to stories of the island with Carl O Grady, visit the ruin of the castle of the rebel and pirate queen Grainne Mhaille, walk to the old Abbey and follow the green road, time to relax, evening session with islanders in the only pub, overnight stay in the B+B’s, (B)

Day 10

Morning back to Roonagh pier, bus to the picturesque little town of Westport, time to explore, shopping, session in the cozy pub of Matt Molloy (member of the famous group “The Chieftains”), overnight stay in the ****Castlecourt Hotel and Spa (B)