Two week trip to Western Ireland - suggestions requested

Lesley · Newbie

Two week trip to Western Ireland - suggestions requested

tony2phones · Guru

welcome

Clare, Galway and Mayo cover a far greater area than county Kerry. There is not a central base to cover them all within easy reach of day trips. Galway might be about the best single base but heading out onto the Connemara National park past Clifden is a couple of hours each way without stops, Croagh Patrick beside Westport about the same so Westport might be a good base for 3 or 4 days. Also gives Achill Island as an option. You would though need a night near the airport so leaves a couple of days. you need to break the journey north from Kerry say Ennis before heading past Galway heading up.

If you can get hold of a rather dated book off Amazon by my old acquaintance Mike Harding, Footloose in the West of Ireland there are several walks in there that might help you decide on locations.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0718133595/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

-- Edited by tony2phones on Wednesday 12th of September 2012 05:24:21 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Lesley,

Welcome to my forum. You have plenty of time for planning as you are not going till next year. If you want to do a self-catering rental you should start looking at them to see what appeals. If staying in one for a week, they usually rent from Sat to Sat. Look at my Self-catering page for more info and recommendations.

Try these links for hiking:

http://www.discoverireland.ie/Things-To-Do/Activities-and-Adventure/Walking-and-Hiking/Find-a-Walk

http://www.simonstewart.ie/

http://irelandyes.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/ireland-walking-tours/

http://www.walkingandhikingireland.com/

http://www.hiking-ireland.com/

http://www.irishtrails.ie/

Some walks and hikes that come to mind:

Killarney National Park

Diamond Hill & Connemara National Park

Gougane Barra

Ilnacullin Gardens on Garinish Island (Glengarriff)

Loop Head

There are so many different walking opportunities in Ireland...if only the weather cooperates. wink

As Tony suggested Galway is very central for the west. However, it is a city and you don't want that. You could try Oughterard, Clifden, Roundstone, Westport. But if you choose the smaller places you will want to stick to Co. Galway and Co. Mayo.

Michele

Lesley · Newbie

Thanks for your suggestion on the book, Tony. I ordered it from Amazon today. I also appreciate your suggestion for the week in the northern counties.

-- Edited by Lesley on Thursday 13th of September 2012 11:42:32 AM

Lesley · Newbie

Thanks so much for your responses. Half of the fun of a journey is the planning and anticipation. You've given me some great suggetions!

tony2phones · Guru

The later half of September is Clifden Arts week which as an Irish week runs for 10 days, this year the 20-30th. We make the pilgrimage every year and despite the general buzz there are quiet places if needed. Mike turns up now and then so you might get your book autographed.

As above you need to break the trip from Kerry to Connemara, Perhaps Ennis, Corrofin on the Burren Way or off piste somewhere around Lough Derg. Some time in Clifden for Arts Week, Roundstone small fishing village east of Clifden or Westport north of Clifden which gives access to the Connemara and North Mayo, South Sligo.

Then you need a night near the Airport so head back down to Ennis or evening check in at the Oakwood arms in Shannon.

You could spend a month between the Shannon and the Donegal border and only scratch the surface, we have been over here for years and there are still places on my like to see list.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Lesley,

Perhaps you should spend the first week self-catering in the SW (Killarney or Kenmare would be perfect) and the second week at B&Bs or hotels - a couple of days in Clare, Co. Galway & Mayo.

Michele