Tours
Hiking in Ireland 2010 - FULL
Featuring the Ancient Pilgrimage Trails around Galway Bay, including the Aran Islands, Connemara, the Burren and Galway City
June 11-19, 2010
Trip is FULL! Contact Jan Olson, 608.785.6506 or olson.jani@uwlax.edu to be placed on a waiting list.
Early registration for the 2011 trip will be available soon.
Join me, archaeologist Jim Gallagher, and Irish walking guide Maeve Kelly, on wonderfully adventuresome and fun hikes on the amazingly beautiful islands, mountains, and scenic areas of the breathtaking west coast of Ireland around beautiful Galway Bay and one of my favourite places in all of Ireland, the Aran Islands.
Maeve and I have picked the best hikes and places to visit in County Clare and County Galway featuring ancient pilgrimage trails steeped in history for this year’s tour. The highlights will be the spectacular Aran Islands and the Burren in county Clare. We’ll hike along spectacular sea cliffs and visit sea bird nesting areas, breathtaking seashores and landscapes, and mountains. This year’s tour is loaded with special hidden places and lots of extras. Some of the features of this tour which add to the enjoyment of the experience include:
- We will be in areas that most tourists don’t get to see and we will enjoy amazing scenery, spring wild flowers, nesting shore birds, archaeological and historical sites, all far removed from the crowded tourist destinations.
- Knowledgeable and fun local Irish guides and experts who accompany us
- Accommodations in excellent B&B’s and small lodges and great food!
- The opportunity to experience Irish culture, traditions, people and music
- Van transport for all luggage. No need to carry heavy packs on the trail!
- Spectacular and challenging hikes that provide a wonderful sense of discovery and accomplishment
- The camaraderie of a small group (minimum 10, maximum 14) of people who enjoy hiking and nature. Recounting of the day's highlights and challenges over a good meal or turf (peat) fire at the end of the day are one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip experience.
To best sample this beautiful, rugged and remote area, we have chosen a mixture of moderate-to-strenuous day hikes along with some sightseeing. This allows us to experience the beauty and natural wonders of the area as well as explore places of historic interest (castles, archaeological sites, etc).
Please contact me if you would like more information about this tour, but don’t wait too long. Four out of the last five tours have sold out early and the longer you wait the more expensive (and hard to get) are the airfares.
Furthermore, 2010 and 2011 will be the last years I will be doing these tours.
Jim Gallagher, Tour Leader
608.784.8042
jimjangallagher@msn.com
Printable Itinerary (7 page PDF)
$2,576 (per person based on double occupancy, 14 persons)
$2,747 (per person based on double occupancy, 12-13 persons)
$2,979 (per person based on double occupancy, 10-11 persons)
Single occupancy (add $250 onto the price of the tour package)
$650 (due upon registration by February 1, 2010)
$1,300 (due upon registration after February 1, 2010)
If you are registering online with a credit card, a 3% credit card fee is included. If you don't want this fee imposed, then mail in a registration form along with your check.
A Selection of Photos from a Previous Year to Show What These Trips Are Like
|
 |
A Celtic fort in Co. Kerry |
Lunch time on the trail |
 |
|
On the trail in Co. Kerry |
Dining at Derryeast Farmhouse B & B |
 |
 |
Derryeast Farmhouse B & B |
View from Derryeast Farmhouse |
 |
 |
Our hosts the Teahan family at Derryeast |
Boat trip to the Skellig Islands |
 |
 |
Skellig Michael |
The walk up to the ruins at Skellig Michael |
 |
 |
Puffins on Skellig Michael |
Skellig Michael stairs |
 |
 |
Entrance to the ruins on Skellig Michael |
The ruins on Skellig Michael |
 |
 |
Little Skellig as seen from Skellig Michael |
Lunch break on Skellig Michael |
 |
 |
Little Skellig, home ot 20,000 pair of nesting gannets |
Cliff walk |
 |
 |
Hiking Adventures |
County Kerry hike |
 |
 |
Hiking Challenges |
Ancient standing stones along the trail |
 |
 |
Killarney National Park boat trip |
Castle in Killarney National Park, boat trip |
 |
 |
| Killarney National Park boat trip | A walk on Inch Beach, Dingle |
 |
 |
| Lunch break on the trail | Classic Dingle pub |
 |
 |
| Music session in Dingle | Taking a pub stop after a great hike |
 |
 |
| Dingle pub stop | Boat trip to Blasket Islands |
 |
 |
| Deserted village on Great Blasket Island | Hiking on Great Blasket Island |
 |
 |
| Archaeological site on Great Blasket | Great Blasket Island |
 |
|
| Lunch break on Great Blasket |
