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Ireland Tour, Ireland Tour Package, Tour to Ireland, Ireland Travel Package, Ireland Travel, Ireland India, India Ireland, Ireland Travel, Ireland Holiday Package, Ireland Vacation package |
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Europe Packages » Ireland Tour
Ireland Tour Package
IRELAND’S WEST COAST WALK
The west of Ireland is considered by many to be the most Irish part of Ireland. It certainly possesses some of the most spectacular scenery and beautiful villages and towns. One of those special towns is Westport. Westport is the very essence of Ireland’s magical west. Nestling under the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew bay and its enchanting islands, the town weaves a spell around its visitors. This is sacred ground. Croagh Patrick is where St. Patrick spent forty days and nights in fasting and prayer. For his dedication, God is said to have vowed that the Irish would never lose their faith.
The islands off the coast are also legendary. This is where the famous pirate woman, Grace O’Malley, sailed and raided. But Grace was also a patriot and fought the Tudors. She was the mainstay of the rebellion in the West. When Grace gave birth to her first child aboard ship, her ship was attacked by a Turkish vessel. The battle seemed about lost until Grace appeared wrapped in a blanket and shot the Turkish captain. Her men rallied and won the day. Although she died in 1603, many people of the area still talk of her almost as if she were still alive.
But this walk is not all legends and battles, Westport is one of the few planned towns in Ireland and its design and layout are credited to James Wyatt (17461813) an English architect most famous for his Neoclassical design for the London Pantheon. It is a beautiful place which few visitors wish to leave.
You will have an opportunity to explore the area in detail including nearby Connemara. As most lovers of Ireland know, Connemara is one of the most beautiful places on earth with its green hills, sheep pastures and the omnipresent sea.
Your accommodations are just outside the town of Westport with a courtesy bus which can take you into town for shopping or to hear traditional Irish music in the many pubs. Each room is equipped with private facilities.
Day 1
Pick up at Shannon Airport or if arriving by rail at the railway station or at the Bus depot in Westport town if coming in by bus. Settle in to the charming guesthouse. Dinner and a briefing about the coming week’s activity is given afterwards. There is a courtesy bus service into town for anyone who wants some musical entertainment. Westport is a veritable mecca for traditional music with a member of the famous Chieftains owning a bar in the main street. Dinner may be in a local restaurant or in your guest accommodation.
Day 2
The walking program begins by coach to Connemara, where you walk on a bog track gently rising to about 900 feet to Mam Ean which translates to the pass of the birds. There is a holy well here, a small chapel and a set of Stations of the Cross. A rocky cleft was probably used as a mass rock during penal times. Pilgrimages were held here to commemorate St. Patrick’s visit to Mam Ean. This practice deteriorated somewhat and was replaced by a festive occasion of singing, dancing, matchmaking, drinking potten (moonshine). Leaving the pass behind you face downhill and enter the Inagh valley and walk along a lane until you reach Lough Inagh lake. 9 miles, 900 feet of gradual ascent.
Day 3
You continue your ramble on the western way, finishing in the tiny village of Leenane (population 14). Leenane is considered to have the smallest population of any village in Ireland and is famous as the location for the movie The Field starring Richard Harris and Tom Berenger. The village is the crossroads for Connemara. Leenane Cultural Centre acts as an outlet for knitters.
Day 4
You begin your day with a visit to Kylemore Abbey, now a girls boarding school run by Benedictine nuns whose order came here from press in Belgium after the first world war. The house itself was built by a business man called Mitchell Henry who, while honeymooning in the area fell in love with the unspoilt natural charm of the valley and decided to build a home there. The chapel in the grounds is a miniaturized replica of Norwich Cathedral. Moving on you drive to the head of Ireland’s only fjord and begin the walk on an old famine road that was built by the starving Irish peasantry during the great famine of the 1840’s. On route you will clearly see evidence of famine villages and lazy beds, the name given to the potato ridges where the poor Irish peasant tried to provide food for his starving family. 6 miles - low level.
Day 5
Free day, you can relax, go golfing, fishing or shopping fees not included. Westport has a championship 18 hole course. Deep Sea Fishing boats depart from Westport harbor at 10 am but prior booking is necessary. Visit Westport, there are some wonderful craft shops, potten_ as well as bookshops and art galleries.
Day 6
Croagh Patrick has been a sacred place for almost 5000 years. As far back as u3000 BC megalithic ancestor, worshipped there. Croagh Patrick is Ireland’s holy mountain where Patrick, the patron saint. Spent 40 days and nights praying and fasting in 441AD. Whilst on the summit Patrick was tormented by blackbirds. Which surround him, and in later stories became demons and serpents. 7 miles1600 feet of ascent.
Day 7
A short sailing to Clare Island. Clare Island is synonymous with Grace o malley, the formidable ruler of the clew Bay district during the second half of the 16 th centuary. One of the most intresting places on the island is the remains of the late fifteenth centuray Cistercian Friary, founded by the Monks of Abbeyknowckmoy in Co. Galway. Your walk takes you to the northernmost end of the island before returning to the quayside for your return ferry 8 miles.
Please note that the crossing to the island is subject to wind and weather conditions and may in some cases be taken earlier in the week at the discretion of the guide.
Day 8
Departture. You will be dropped at the local railway station or bus depot, or Shannon Airport.
Related Informations & Tour Packages
The west of Ireland is considered by many to be the most Irish part of Ireland. It certainly possesses some of the most spectacular scenery and beautiful villages and towns. One of those special towns is Westport. Westport is the very essence of Ireland’s magical west. Nestling under the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew bay and its enchanting islands, the town weaves a spell around its visitors. This is sacred ground. Croagh Patrick is where St. Patrick spent forty days and nights in fasting and prayer. For his dedication, God is said to have vowed that the Irish would never lose their faith.
The islands off the coast are also legendary. This is where the famous pirate woman, Grace O’Malley, sailed and raided. But Grace was also a patriot and fought the Tudors. She was the mainstay of the rebellion in the West. When Grace gave birth to her first child aboard ship, her ship was attacked by a Turkish vessel. The battle seemed about lost until Grace appeared wrapped in a blanket and shot the Turkish captain. Her men rallied and won the day. Although she died in 1603, many people of the area still talk of her almost as if she were still alive.
But this walk is not all legends and battles, Westport is one of the few planned towns in Ireland and its design and layout are credited to James Wyatt (17461813) an English architect most famous for his Neoclassical design for the London Pantheon. It is a beautiful place which few visitors wish to leave.
You will have an opportunity to explore the area in detail including nearby Connemara. As most lovers of Ireland know, Connemara is one of the most beautiful places on earth with its green hills, sheep pastures and the omnipresent sea.
Your accommodations are just outside the town of Westport with a courtesy bus which can take you into town for shopping or to hear traditional Irish music in the many pubs. Each room is equipped with private facilities.
Day 1
Pick up at Shannon Airport or if arriving by rail at the railway station or at the Bus depot in Westport town if coming in by bus. Settle in to the charming guesthouse. Dinner and a briefing about the coming week’s activity is given afterwards. There is a courtesy bus service into town for anyone who wants some musical entertainment. Westport is a veritable mecca for traditional music with a member of the famous Chieftains owning a bar in the main street. Dinner may be in a local restaurant or in your guest accommodation.
Day 2
The walking program begins by coach to Connemara, where you walk on a bog track gently rising to about 900 feet to Mam Ean which translates to the pass of the birds. There is a holy well here, a small chapel and a set of Stations of the Cross. A rocky cleft was probably used as a mass rock during penal times. Pilgrimages were held here to commemorate St. Patrick’s visit to Mam Ean. This practice deteriorated somewhat and was replaced by a festive occasion of singing, dancing, matchmaking, drinking potten (moonshine). Leaving the pass behind you face downhill and enter the Inagh valley and walk along a lane until you reach Lough Inagh lake. 9 miles, 900 feet of gradual ascent.
Day 3
You continue your ramble on the western way, finishing in the tiny village of Leenane (population 14). Leenane is considered to have the smallest population of any village in Ireland and is famous as the location for the movie The Field starring Richard Harris and Tom Berenger. The village is the crossroads for Connemara. Leenane Cultural Centre acts as an outlet for knitters.
Day 4
You begin your day with a visit to Kylemore Abbey, now a girls boarding school run by Benedictine nuns whose order came here from press in Belgium after the first world war. The house itself was built by a business man called Mitchell Henry who, while honeymooning in the area fell in love with the unspoilt natural charm of the valley and decided to build a home there. The chapel in the grounds is a miniaturized replica of Norwich Cathedral. Moving on you drive to the head of Ireland’s only fjord and begin the walk on an old famine road that was built by the starving Irish peasantry during the great famine of the 1840’s. On route you will clearly see evidence of famine villages and lazy beds, the name given to the potato ridges where the poor Irish peasant tried to provide food for his starving family. 6 miles - low level.
Day 5
Free day, you can relax, go golfing, fishing or shopping fees not included. Westport has a championship 18 hole course. Deep Sea Fishing boats depart from Westport harbor at 10 am but prior booking is necessary. Visit Westport, there are some wonderful craft shops, potten_ as well as bookshops and art galleries.
Day 6
Croagh Patrick has been a sacred place for almost 5000 years. As far back as u3000 BC megalithic ancestor, worshipped there. Croagh Patrick is Ireland’s holy mountain where Patrick, the patron saint. Spent 40 days and nights praying and fasting in 441AD. Whilst on the summit Patrick was tormented by blackbirds. Which surround him, and in later stories became demons and serpents. 7 miles1600 feet of ascent.
Day 7
A short sailing to Clare Island. Clare Island is synonymous with Grace o malley, the formidable ruler of the clew Bay district during the second half of the 16 th centuary. One of the most intresting places on the island is the remains of the late fifteenth centuray Cistercian Friary, founded by the Monks of Abbeyknowckmoy in Co. Galway. Your walk takes you to the northernmost end of the island before returning to the quayside for your return ferry 8 miles.
Please note that the crossing to the island is subject to wind and weather conditions and may in some cases be taken earlier in the week at the discretion of the guide.
Day 8
Departture. You will be dropped at the local railway station or bus depot, or Shannon Airport.
Related Informations & Tour Packages
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