DURATION:	8 Days
LEVEL:	Moderate Walking with some hill
Tour DATES:	any date (April - October)
GROUP SIZE:	individuals
ACCOMMODATION:	guesthouses & selected B&Bs
MEALS:	7 Irish breakfasts, 7 lunches
TRANSFERS:	luggage transfer, all transfers to and from walks
MISCELLANEOUS:	detailed route notes and maps
PRICE:	€549

Daily itinerary:

Day 1:

Arrive to the village of Leenane, in Connemara. Situated at the head of Killary Harbour, Leenane village is surrounded by mountain and sea. You are now in the heart of Connemara made famous by Michel Trudeau and Les Lacs du Connemara. You stay the night in a well-chosen B&B. Your maps and starter pack will be waiting for you to go through. Dinner your own choice from the village of Leenane.

Day 2:

After your breakfast you will be transferred from your accommodation for your walk to Maumean and St Patrick's well (320m). Maumean is a place of pilgrimage but also a point along the Western Way that offers you spectacular views over the picturesque valley of Lough Inagh with the Mamturk Mountain on one side and the Twelve Ben mountain range on the other. You make your way along a paved track to your B&B in the Inagh Valley. Dinner can be chosen at a nearby hotel.

Day 3:

Taking a packed lunch with you from your accommodation you continue on along the Lough Inagh Valley for a walk along the base of the mountain through bog land and forest for 12km until you reach the area of Kylemore. Stay the night in Kylemore.

Day 4:

A relaxing day today, with a visit of the Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey (inclusive of the Victorian Walled Garden – entrance fees are included). You will be picked up at your accommodation in the morning and brought to Connemara National Park. The park covers 2,000 hectares of Connemara Mountain countryside and one of Irelands six National Parks. There is lots of information in the visitor centre, with audiovisual theatre and walks. Kylemore Abbey is one of Ireland's top visitor sites and a very picturesque Abbey. You can visit the Abbey, visitor centre and Victorian walled gardens as well as the restored Gothic Church and Mausoleum where the original owners are buried. You will also get to do a nice walk this afternoon that will give you an unprecedented view over the Connemara Landscape. You return in the evening to your accommodation.

Day 5:

You leave Kylemore today to explore the Killary Harbour area - walking along the Famine Track, and continuing along the Western Way back to the village of Leenane. Today's walk provides you with beautiful views over Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord, whilst you follow its shores for approximately 14kms. You stay in B&B in the village of Leenane, there are wonderful restaurants to choose your own meal.

Day 6:

After breakfast you will be picked up at your accommodation and brought to the starting point of today's walk near Westport. Walk along the Pilgrim's Walk into Westport, a colourful market town. You will stay the next two nights in your Westport B&B. There are many restaurants you can choose your meals from. Westport is a vibrant little town where you will find great Irish music and restaurants to choose from.

Day 7:

Your target today is the top of Croagh Patrick - Ireland's Holy Mountain. This is quite a tough climb, but the views from the top are fantastic. The fact that you have walked where many pilgrims have before you make this a very satisfying day. You will get views over Clew Bay all the way up. This bay is said to have 365 islands, one for each day of the year. St. Patrick is said to have spent 40 days fasting and ridding Ireland of evil in the 5th Century. This is a bit of a slog but one of the most rewarding walks you will do in Ireland. You return to your accommodation in the evening.

Day 8:

Breakfast, followed by departure.

Suggested Addendum:

Day 8:

Transfer from Westport to Rossaveal the ferry port for the Aran Islands and take the ferry to Inishmore. You walk on this fascinating island, which has history, archaeology and magnificent scenery. Stay the night in island guesthouse for dinner, B&B.

Day 9:

You stay another night to fully explore this island, choose your own dinner this evening.

Day 10:

You leave the Aran Islands and take the ferry to Doolin. Walk to the cliffs of Moher. Stay the night in guesthouse (dinner not included) and afterwards enjoy the traditional Irish music that you can find in the many pubs in Doolin.

Day 11:

Breakfast and departure.