Magic Islands along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland

5 – 15 August 2025

Dates

11 Days

Duration

12 – 16

Groupsize

Magic Islands along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland

Inishmore, Inishbofin, Inishark, Inishturk, 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 to leave a long time ago. On the way to Inishturk 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

5 – 15 August 2025 (11 days)

BOOKING

No later then 1 May 2025 (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 friendly B+B’s on Inishturk

1 night in the Mariner Boutique Hotel in Westport

COST

CHF 1610 – 1790.-, 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 60.-, B+B sharing.

SUPPLEMENTS

Single rooms: CHF 290.- 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 2025

Additional information

Destination	Inishark, Inishturk, 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, 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).

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.), guided walk with Tommy on the island (1 hr.), back to Inishbofin and overnight stay in Inishbofin House Hotel, (B)

Day 7

1pm Boat to Cleggan, bus tour through the mountains and moors of Connemara, visit the Glen Keen Sheep Farm and learn about their life and the area, sheep dog demonstration then to Roonagh Pier, crossing to Inishturk (50 min.), overnight stay in luxurious, friendly B+B’s, (B/D).

Day 8

Talk and Walk with an islander, free time (B/D).

Day 9

A free Island day (swim, read, walk, relax and enjoy the scenery) overnight stay in the B+B’s, (B/D).

Day 10

Morning back to Roonagh pier, a short visit to Clare Island, walk the Green Road, Lunch in the Organic Macalla farm and visit a hand weaver, back to mainland and bus to the picturesque little town of Westport, music session in the cozy pub of Matt Molloy (member of the famous group “The Chieftains”), overnight stay in the Mariner Boutique Hotel (B)