Small Group Adventure Tour on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

ITINERARY & MAP

• Day 1 - On the morning of day one your guide will greet you in Cork City. The first visit is to the world-famous Blarney Castle. Explore the castle's wonderful grounds and gardens and kiss the Blarney Stone. From Blarney the tour travels west to meet the Wild Atlantic Way. The activity on day one is a is a cycle on a beautiful coastal route. The country roads are quite on Ireland’s coastal edge. They gently rise and fall to reveal awesome views around each corner. The cycle is a perfect opener for the adventures ahead. Tonight’s accommodation is in West Cork Hotel.
• Day 2 -Wake in the heart of West Cork. Today’s activity is a hike on a magical West Cork Peninsula, a place of outstanding beauty. After lunch, the tour visits beautiful gardens. Followed by a drive along the scenic route to Kenmare. Explore this heritage town and visit an ancient stone circle. The tour continues on one of the most spectacular drives in Ireland. The route goes through Moll’s Gap and Ladies’ view to Killarney. Tonight’s accommodation is in Killarney.
• Day 3 - Today is a real gem with minimal time spent in the tour bus. The day begins with a boat trip through the lakes of Killarney followed by a cycle through the Gap of Dunloe. During the boat trip there is magnificent wildlife on show. Look out for native Red Deer and the recently reintroduced White-tailed Eagles. Coffee at Lord Brandon’s Cottage is followed by a 15-minute walk to the ‘Head of the Gap’. Then it is pure joy on a cycle through a spectacularly formed glaciated valley. The cycle through the Gap of Dunloe will be one you’ll remember. The final section of the cycle is through the wonderful woodlands. Tonight’s accommodation is in Killarney. Killarney town is set on the edge of Killarney National Park, which is a perfect place for a stroll. The town has great eating options and excellent Irish bars.
• Day 4 - The day kicks off with a hike in the heart of Killarney National Park. Stroll around the park where you will visit Muckross Abbey and the gardens of Muckross House. Then travel west from Killarney to the salty fresh-air playground of Inch Beach. Here you can take a life-affirming plunge in the Atlantic Ocean. Have a hands-on demonstration of Ireland’s national sport ‘Hurling’. After lunch, travel on the wild and beautiful Slea Head Drive. Here we stop for a hike along the rugged Atlantic coastline. Tonight’s accommodation is in Dingle. Dingle was once a quiet fishing village. Today it is a vibrant town with much to offer. It has excellent restaurants and bars with live traditional music.
• Day 5 - From Dingle the tour travels north and cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry into County Clare. Hike along an awe-inspiring path perched high above the sea. On the hike there are fantastic views out to sea towards the Aran Islands. This is a lesser travelled path to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Lunch is taken at the Cliffs of Moher interpretive Centre. We then visit the Burren. This is a spectacular lunar-like karst limestone landscape and a World Heritage Site. Tonight’s accommodation is in a boutique County Clare Hotel.
• Day 6 - The day begins with a boat trip to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. On Inis Mór we slow down to the pace of Island life. Travel on quiet country roads. Passing field after field enclosed by dry stone walls. All combining and creating a masterful tapestry for the eyes to feast on. Visit the fabulous Iron Age ring fort of Dun Aengus, perched on the edge of a 300-foot-high cliff. From Dun Aengus, hike along the Atlantic’s edge through fields, rocky beaches, and green roads. After a day exploring Inis Mór, return via boat to Connemara in County Galway. Tonight’s accommodation is in a Connemara hotel.
• Day 7 -Explore the magic of Connemara, beginning with a hike in Connemara National Park. This is an excellent hike to the top of Diamond Hill. From the summit there are breathtakingly beautiful views of the landscape below. The landscape is a mixture of blanket bogs, countless lakes, and sandy beaches. After lunch, visit Kylemore Abbey & the Victorian Walled Garden. In the early evening, drive along the spectacular Killary Fjord. The tour then enters County Mayo. Here we travel along the banks of Doo Lough. Where we will take a breather and remember the unfortunate famine victims. From Doo Lough we continue north to meet Clew Bay. Tonight’s accommodation is in Westport.
• Day 8 - Travel the short distance from Westport to Mullranny, for the final day of adventure. We again take to the bikes for a cycle along Ireland’s original Greenway cycle path. The route travels through Mulranny to Achill Island. It is a fantastic cycle and a great activity to complete the adventure tour. After lunch in a local café, the tour returns to Dublin.
• All Beyond the Glass Adventure Tour guides are qualified, knowledgeable, experienced and friendly, giving you the ultimate adventure holiday experience. Contact James at info@beyondtheglass.ie for further information.