Canoeing and Hiking Vacation - A very special way to see the middle of Ireland. This is once again a new departure for us with a mixed activity holiday to offer you. On this terrific trip you will canoe down the Barrow River to some of the most beautiful scenery the midlands of Ireland has to offer. For all levels, this trip can be made to be as exciting as ones wants. Relax along the river if you wish or fire down the rapids. In the hands of your experienced guide you will be guided to whatever you choose. I found the first time that I did this trip that it was one of the most relaxing and peaceful trips I have ever gone on. In between canoeing between villages, we will be hiking in the local hills and valley to truly show you what this amazing area has to offer. Below is the itinerary that you will have on over the week.

This tour begins and ends in Dublin on a Monday morning and finishes back in Dublin on Saturday evening.

Price: €700

Day 1: 7:30 a.m. - Carlow to Bagnelstown

Pick up in the city centre Dublin - Dublin Tourist Office. This is where you begin your journey that you will never forget.

All people will be introduced to each other on the bus. I like to get each person to sing a song from their country to start things off! Your national anthem will do!

For your first day introduction we will be travelling a couple of hours to the town of Carlow where you will get to meet your canoes for the first time. Each have a name and they will be your friend for the next few days so be nice! Mi casa tu casa as they say! Our advevnture kicks off just minutes away from Irelands finest and Europes oldest Dolmen, which has been on Browns Hill for over 5000 years. The dolmen has a granite capstone weighing over 100 tonnes, making it the largest of its kind in Europe. The massive capstone rests on two portal stones which flank a door stone and slopes downwards to the west where it rests on a low boulder. The magnificent capstone has excited the interest of many antiquarians and tourists down through the years and it is thought that religious rites, possibly even human sacrifice, were performed there for four and a half thousand years (2500 BC), and maybe even today if you are not nice to your guide!

You will also get to see Duckett's Grove, the home of the Duckett family for the last three centuries. Leaving this we will view Carlow Castle for the first time on the riverbank. Carlow Castle, now a ruin stands on the eastern bank of the River Barrow. It is thought to have been built by William de Marshal, Earl of Pembroke and Lord of Leinster between 1207 and 1213. Originally the catle was a rectangular block, containing the castle's principal rooms protected by cylindrical towers at its corners. Today, tow battered towers and part of an intervening wall are all that remain after a local physician tried to remodel it as an asylum in 1814. In an effort to demolish the interior he placed explosive charges at its base and emolished all but the west wall and towers.

Along the way we will encounter beautiful Weirs and waterfalls. We will be crossing the green countryside along what was once the trading route of the old Guinness barges. Wildlife is abundant on this historic waterway. With otters, cormorants, kingfishers and dippers. Salmon and sea trout runs and the varied insect life that support the river inhabitants so well. The river is very safe, and while we will encounter a little bit of whitewater, our experts guides and instructors will be with you all the way to make sure you are expertly cared for. Next along the river is Milford, a pleasant stop on the river once a thriving milling industry.

You will also get to see St. Laserian's Cathedral, Black Castle in Leighlinbridge and finally get to where we are staying in Bagnelstown. Bagenalstown, otherwise known in its Gaelic version as Muine Bheag is sited on a pleasant reach of the River Barrow and derives its name from Walter Bagenal, who in founding the town had visions of mirroring the city of Versailles, in northern France.

Your bags will have been transferred to Bagnelstown that morning and you will be met by the bus and walking guide who will bring you to your accommodation so you can all sit in for a nice warm evenings meal. You will be staying here for 2 nights and then hitting the river again to follow the Barrow River onto your next location

Day 2: 9:00 a.m. - The Blackstairs Mountains

You will be getting your hiking boots on today to discover the Blackstairs Mountains and ascending the wonderful Mount Leinster, the namesake of the province you are in for the duration of the trip. Mount Leinster (Irish: Stua Laighean) is the highest mountain in both County Carlow and County Wexford, Ireland. It is the highest of the Blackstairs Mountains at 796 metres (2,605 ft). We will be beginning our hike from an area known as the "Nine Stones". From Scullogue Gap we begin the assault of Blackstairs Mountain on a narrow boreen, before passing through a "Kissing Gate" to Coonogue Lane. This very narrow stone walled lane, almost a tunnel in parts, leads onto the open mountain, easing your way past farmers' fields and, thankfully, avoiding a lot of gorse bushes. Up to a few years ago this lane was completely overgrown with brambles and gorse, making it totally impassable, until it was cleared with community co-operation and the voluntary blood, sweat and tears of local mountaineering clubs. Don't forget to say "Thank You" - your guide probably still has the scars to prove it. Our walk today is not too difficult but gives you the oppurtunity to taste what this mountain range has to offer.

Day 3: 9:00 a.m. - Bagnelstown to Graignamanagh

We will be getting our wet suit on again to head today down the river again. The next stage of our journey takes our entrepid travellers from Bagenalstown to Graiguenamanagh - 26km (16 miles). This route passes the small villages of Goresbridge and Borris. On several occasions throughout the year crowds gather from Ireland and abroad for the famous horse fairs held in O'Donoghues of Goresbridge. This is a great social gathering and should you happen to pass on a sales day make sure to drop in. The village of Borris nestles in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains and has retained its charms of former days. Many shops have kept their traditional fronts and the local public houses have earned nationwide recognition for their friendly, old world atmosphere. Also along this section we pass through the 1000 year old estate of the Kavanagh family. Descendants of the High Kings of Ireland. One of the most extraordinary members of the family was a character known as The Incredible Mr Kavanagh.

The Incredible Mr. Kavanagh

It is rare in itself to find a story of coming out of Ireland about a good landlord. But such a story becomes legendary when the landlord-hero happens to be a man born without arms or legs! Starting life with those two staggering handicaps, in the mid-19century, when medical science was still primitive, Arthur Kavanagh lived a more than normal life. Armless he wrote letters and diaries, he drew and painted. Legless, he rode horseback across Europe and Asia and became a skilled huntsman. His adventures in the far reaches of Russia, Kurdistan, Persia and India would have challenged the resources of an able-bodied man. He was a skilled yachtsman and at the age of thirty-five, having become a member of the British parliament he frequently moored his small sailing craft outside the House of Commons having navigated the Barrow, Irish Sea, English Channel and Thames Esturary. With none of the advantages of plastic surgery or artificial limbs, Arthur relied on nobody but himself to help him surmount his disabilities. The story of The Incredible Mr. Kavanagh is truly an inspiration for all

The paddle through the ancient estate is quickly followed by some some excellent, playful white water with the weir at Clashganny and the double drops at Ballykeenan weirs and rapids. We follow along after all this excitement with a paddle through the pine forest – as we make a quiet entrance into historic Graignamanagh. Our route ends in Graiguenamanagh, a picturesque abbey town and a popular boating and craft centre. Overlooking the River Barrow is Duiske Abbey founded by Norman monks from Stanley Abbey, Wiltshire in 1204. The "Early English" design boasts a lofty nave and it is the largest of Irish Cistercian monastery churches.

Irish music and craic abound in this village in the midlands of Ireland. We stay in this village for 2 nights.

Day 4: 9:00 a.m. - Blackstairs Mountains and Hidden Valley

Today we once again hit the road and go to the silent hills of the Blackstairs Mountains and meander our way through beautiful hills and valleys. Both Irish and European laws protect some of the habitats and the plants found in wet sites such as bogs and bog flushes. The Blackstairs Mountain range and the River Barrow in County Carlow are two such areas and are called Special Areas of Conservation (SAC's). This means that it is an offence to damage the plants or the habitats that are found in these two locations. So no eating the heather or bog cotton!

Day 5: 9:00 a.m. - Graignamanagh to Saint Mullins

Leaving Graignamanagh and the beautiful quayside with all the little boats we now head south again through a dramatic and enchanting pine gorge. The river drops dramatically in places so the is an abundance of whitewater, weirs, waterfalls, rapids and rustic lockhouses to take in. St. Mullins The peaceful village of St. Mullins in South Carlow is situated on the River Barrow, nestling between the Blackstairs Mountains on one side and Brandon Hill on the other. The village is steeped in history, culture and tradition and has been associated with Fionn Mac Cumhail who gave the village its first name Rinn Ros Broc and later St. Brendan the Navigator. The locality acquired its name from St. Moling, a 7th century cleric who built a monastery here with the help of "Gobban Saor", the legendary Irish builder. Throughout his life he performed many miracles, raising the dead, cleansing lepers giving sight to the blind and curing many diseases. The complex includes a medieval church ruin, the base of a round tower and the former Church of Ireland church, built in 1811. A heritage centre now occupies the former church and provides a fascinating insight into the history and life of the area. This is a fantastic way to finish off your last day of canoeing and you will get to stay in the historic village of St. Mullins. A large farewell dinner will be arranged for the group so we can all say farewell to everyone the following day. Many a guinness will be drunk this night I fear!

Day 6: 9:00 a.m. - Saint Mullins to Kilkenny City and then to Dublin

After breakfast you will have time to wander around the village of St. Mullins and take a short stroll along the riverbank for some fresh air and talk over the last few days. We will be then making our way to Kilkenny City where you will spend a few hours visiting its Castle and St. Canices Cathedral. After lunch we will unfortunately making our way back to Dublin. What a week!