On our Ireland walking tour on the wild Irish coast, we learn what it means to be Irish: friendly conversation, good Guinness, and lots of laughter.

Ireland will embrace you and may never let you go. For hundreds of years, this romantic land has inspired bards, musicians, and artists. You too will be swept away by the beauty of the landscape and the warmth and wit of the Irish people. Our days in Ireland are spent walking and hiking the lush, forested valleys of the Ring of Kerry, the wild green hills of the Dingle Peninsula, and the surreal limestone paths of the Burren. The quaint streets of small villages dotting the south and west of Ireland can only be topped by evenings in a traditional pub (there are many to choose from!) listening to lively music and sharing stories with the locals.

Days 1-2: Our Ireland walking tour begins in Adare. Drive south to Killarney, and visit a 19th-century manor and its gardens bordering Killarney National Park. Take a boat ride across the lakes. Enjoy beautiful walking on a long-abandoned roadway to the charming village of Kenmare, or choose to challenge yourself by hiking up Torc Mountain.

Days 3-5: Walk stunningly beautiful coastline past ancient beehive huts or board a ferry for a day of walking on Great Blasket Island (a trip back in time). In the evenings savor local music, excellent fresh seafood and lamb, and leisurely explorations of the town from our perfectly located hotel.

Days 6-7: Explore the greenways and limestone paths of the Burren (meaning “stony place”). Sunset at the Cliffs of Moher, long after the crowds have left for the day, is unforgettable, as is our luxurious manor hotel.

Day 8: Depart from Shannon, Ireland.

• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications.
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider.
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our average group size is just 6-8 guests.
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection trips, so that you can choose which works best for you.
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small – for our staff to handle.
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly – striving to preserve traditions and cultures around the world, and to protect fragile natural habitats.

Most Convenient Airport:
Shannon Airport; Shannon, Ireland (airport code SNN)

Meeting Time and Place:
Your guide(s) will meet you on the first day of your tour at 9:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Ireland. Please be dressed for walking!

Departure Time and Place:
Your guides will provide a drop-off at the Shannon airport by 10:30 a.m. on the last day of the trip. Since we will be driving from Ballyvaughan on the final morning of the trip, it is not possible to arrive at the Shannon airport prior to 10:30 a.m. Please schedule your flights accordingly.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Trip Rating
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Gems of the Emerald Isle is rated 2, easy to moderate, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). The walking and hiking on this trip averages 3-5 hours a day, with most of the time on trails and greenways with only occasional vehicle support.  

Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. The more well prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself!  Please engage in moderate aerobic activities (hiking, jogging, or cycling) for at least 30-45 minutes several times a week for 4-6 weeks before the trip. If you live in a flat area, try to incorporate some stairs into your workout, or use a treadmill with varying incline capability.  Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness programs.  

Weather
Ireland’s weather conditions can vary greatly, even in the course of a single afternoon. It is not uncommon to have deep blue skies followed by “soft” weather (the local term for a bit of rain), and of course, the trademark Irish rainbow. Then the cycle begins again. Therefore, it is essential to be prepared for a variety of conditions – including dressing in layers and wearing quick-drying clothing. Waterproof hiking boots are not a bad idea either, as mornings are often dewy and the grass can be long. The following are average temperatures in Killarney during the summer months:

                high          low

May:         63°F        43°F
June:        64°F        46°F
July:         70°F        50°F
August:    70°F        48°F

You may obtain more detailed weather information by visiting www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
The southwest coast of Ireland enjoys a milder climate than you might expect, and spring comes quite early. By May, flowers are in full bloom, including the many varieties of orchid to be found among the limestone pavements of the Burren. Lambs are everywhere at this time of year as well. June brings longer days, with excellent light well into the evenings. July and August are the height of summer and days tend to be warmer and perhaps a bit drier.
 

Overview:  First-class historic hotels and inns, all private baths.

Nights 1 & 2: 
Killarney Royal Hotel
Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland

With four-star amenities, charming atmosphere, and a location in the center of bustling Killarney, the Killarney Royal Hotel is a delightful spot from which to explore the Kingdom of Kerry.

Nights 3, 4 & 5: 
Greenmount House
Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Situated just off the main street in the spirited town of Dingle, Greenmount House offers quiet, well-appointed rooms and the perfect location for exploring town and enjoying views of the harbor.

Nights 6 & 7: 
Gregans Castle Hotel
Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, Ireland

A restored 18th-century country house, this four-star hotel features rooms decorated with antiques, a fine-dining restaurant, and an ideal location in the heart of the Burren.

DAY 1  
Killarney National Park

Walk – easy, 2-3 hours.

We depart Adare this morning for Killarney National Park. This section of the Kingdom of Kerry is one of the few areas of Ireland that remains forested, and MacGillicuddy’s Reeks are among the highest mountains in the country. Nestled between the base of the mountains and the town are the Lakes of Killarney, the centerpiece of Killarney National Park. We begin our exploration by walking the Muckross Peninsula. This beautiful, pastoral walk encircles Muckross Lake and brings us past the 200-year old Dinish Cottage and the Old Weir Bridge. Nearby we pass the “meeting of the waters,” where a stream feeds Muckross from the other two lakes. If we are lucky, we may also see the Irish red deer, the only surviving herd of native deer in the country.

Later this afternoon we check into our home for the next two nights, a lovely four-star hotel in the heart of colorful Killarney.
Killarney Royal Hotel, Killarney

DAY 2
Old Kenmare Road

Walk – moderate to strenuous, 3-4 hours.

We begin our adventure today in an unusual way – boarding an open boat for a scenic two-hour trip through Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake – the perfect way to see another side of the park before walking Old Kenmare Road, a local favorite. Our walk begins at Lord Brandon’s Cottage, the impressive hunting retreat of an 18th-century aristocrat, and ends at the beautiful Torc Waterfall. We make our way through magical, moss-covered woodland – the oldest oak woods in Ireland – and into the open valleys of Esknamucky Glen. Later this afternoon, if there is time we may visit Muckross House, a Victorian mansion surrounded by traditional gardens that recreate rural Irish life in the early 20th century.

Tonight we enjoy dinner at a great Killarney restaurant.
Killarney Royal Hotel, Killarney

DAY 3  
Transfer to Dingle

Walk – easy, about 3 hours.

This morning we make our way west to the Dingle Peninsula, where we have a variety of walking and hiking options to choose from. Along the way, we’ll stop at Inch Strand. This beach is a local favorite, and we may even see a few border collies on a day off from shepherding duties playing in the surf. Exploring the beach and venturing into the sand dunes offers a dramatic change from yesterday’s walk and highlights Ireland’s diverse habitats.

Our hotel for the next three nights is well-located in charming Dingle. Tonight we enjoy dinner at one of Dingle’s wonderful restaurants, featuring fresh seafood and traditional fare.
Greenmount House, Dingle

DAY 4  
Ventry Beach to Slea Head

Walk – easy to moderate, 3-4 hours.
 
A drive along the coast brings us to our trailhead at Ventry Beach, a beautiful, crescent-shaped white sliver. As we begin our ascent from Ventry Beach, our path is dotted with wildflowers. We ascend and then level out high above the ocean. This lovely, quintessential Irish landscape has appeared in such films as Ryan’s Daughter and Far and Away. Along the trail, we pass beehive-shaped stone huts that are believed to be the humble abodes of early Christian monks. As we walk along, amazing views of the Atlantic and the Blasket Islands are revealed far below. The views of Great Blasket Island (where we will walk tomorrow if the weather cooperates) improve steadily as we descend to Slea Head.

Tonight you are free to choose from one of Dingle’s numerous restaurants for dinner. Our guides will be happy to make suggestions for you.
Greenmount House, Dingle

DAY 5  
Great Blasket Island

Walk – difficulty and elevation gain variable, about 4 hours.  

Today we take a trip back to a time before cars, cell phones, and computers. If the seas permit, we will board a ferry from Dingle to Great Blasket Island, the largest of a group of islands clustered off the tip of the Dingle Peninsula. Made famous by local author and Blasket native Tómas Ó’Criomhthain, the people of the Blaskets eked out a tough existence of fishing, turf-cutting, and taking advantage of odd shipwrecks in their waters. The population has dwindled, but Great Blasket Island still offers excellent options for walking and hiking, or perhaps just relaxing and imagining life on these islands in centuries past. (Please note: ferry service to Great Blasket Island is highly dependent on weather conditions. If it is not possible to ferry to the island, our local guides know numerous excellent walking and hiking options around the peninsula, each with their own special highlights.)

Dinner tonight is at another favorite local restaurant in Dingle. After dinner those who wish can seek out any of a number of “trad” music sessions taking place in the local pubs. In Dingle, it is still common for talented musicians to spend their evenings playing together in a local pub, and it is a delight to witness this Irish tradition.
Greenmount House, Dingle

DAY 6  
Transfer to Ballyvaughan; Corcomroe Abbey and Abbey Hills

Walk – easy to moderate, about 2 hours.

We depart Dingle early this morning over the spectacular Conor Pass, and make our way north to Ballyvaughan. Our drive on the narrow country roads is delightfully scenic as we cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry, stopping for lunch along the way.

As we approach Ballyvaughan, the landscape changes completely. Here we are entering the Burren (literally “rocky place” in Gaelic). The Burren is a vast limestone landscape, an ideal environment for wildflowers, including dozens of species of orchids. The history of the human impact on this area is fascinating, as centuries of farming and the removal of trees and turf have led to the austere beauty of the Burren today. We stop at the Burren Center in Kilfenora, where informational displays introduce us to the region. Time permitting, we then begin our walk at the ruins of Corcomroe Abbey, a ruined 12th-century Cistercian monastery. After exploring the ruins, we ascend into the surrounding hills, and enjoy expansive views over the abbey and the neighboring farmland.

This afternoon we arrive at our final hotel, a lovingly-restored four-star country house.
Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan

DAY 7  
The Burren

Walk – easy to moderate, 4-6 hours.

After breakfast, we head for the small parish of Fanore, where we begin our walk on a greenway (an old farm road) through the Burren. To the west and north are views of the Atlantic and Galway Bay, and on a clear day we will see the Aran Islands in the distance. Ancient stone walls mark our way through the rolling hills, and if we are lucky, we may see one of the many herds of wild goats that roam here.

Tonight we enjoy a final celebratory dinner at our hotel.
Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan

DAY 8  
Transfer to Shannon

After a final Irish breakfast we depart for Shannon airport, where we bid each other farewell.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.
 

$4,195 per person

• Expert leadership
• All accommodations
• All meals except one dinner
• All transportation during the tour
• Park fees
• All activities as noted in the itinerary