SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrive on Achill Island

Today drive 4 hours from Dublin to Archill Island.

Your first island is the largest and also the only one that has the advantage of not requiring a ferry trip! This is a place of big things – immense skies, towering cliffs, and stirring sunsets. This rugged and majestic island is connected to the mainland by a short bridge, and is approached via the bustling towns of Westport and Newport.

Both towns are well worth a quick visit to take in some local shops and maybe something to eat in one of the great local cafés or restaurants – we’ll provide you with recommendations.

Your accommodation

Your beach-side accommodation on Achill Island is a long-established restored coastguard station, repurposed into a beautifully presented, family-owned guest house, whose quality is obvious even before stepping over the threshold. The expertly manicured gardens – even featuring palm trees – give way to the dazzling white house, perfectly placed on Keel Strand, with unbroken views across miles of sandy beach, overlooking the Cathedral Cliffs of Minaun, with the islands of Clew Bay in the distance.

The family of the local owners have been residents on the island for generations, delivering a warm welcome and classic Irish island hospitality to visitors from all over the world, making Bervie the ideal place from which to discover this most enchanting corner of the country.

Day 2 - Exploring Achill

Something a little different today, as you meet a local guide and set off to discover the story of one of the darker periods of Achill’s past. Once the most destitute wilderness in Ireland, in 1831 a young Irish prophet named Edward Nangle sought to save the population from the errors of their ways, igniting a 50-year religious  conflict. Several 19th-century structures remain, as well as further evidence of the Mission’s occupation and you’ll be guided through their history with customary good humour.

Day 3 – Travel to Westport

There’s no hurry today, as the direct route between bases takes only an hour or so, the perfect excuse to pootle, perhaps a little north to take a light hike at Ballycroy National Park, or go off the beaten track to Rockfleet Castle or Burrishoole Abbey.

Arriving at Westport, you’ll discover one of Ireland’s most vibrant little towns, filled with a riot of colour, the sound of superb traditional music and a wealth of corners waiting to be uncovered.

Your accommodation

Just a few minutes’ walk from the town square and backing onto the greenway that leads to the port, your accommodation in Westport is the essence of traditional Irish hospitality. Welcomed by the friendliest of local hosts, nothing is too much trouble here, with tips for favourite pubs and eating spots marrying beautifully with unfussy en-suite bedrooms and a delicious breakfast.

Day 4 - Day trip to Clare Island

As you approach the small pier at Roonagh, just thirty minutes from Westport, you will start to take in the incredible views out over the short stretch of emerald water towards Clare Island. With its mountains rising from nowhere, this island immediately strikes you as somewhere you simply have to visit. Leaving your car behind at the quay you will take a small passenger ferry on the short crossing between the mainland and the island. Don’t forget to heed the advice of local folk/rock group the Saw Doctors, “Take the ferry out from Roonagh, and wave all your cares goodbye.”

Clare Island is an island’s island, where the local community is strong and vibrant, but at the same time warm and welcoming to visitors. The landscape is beautiful, with unspoilt beaches, serene inlets and dramatic sea cliffs, which sweep down from the mountains straight into the sea. The island’s interior contains wild bog and untouched moorland, where the slightly inquisitive visitor can find ancient megalith tombs and ruins.

Less than 100m from the quay is the first attraction for any keen sightseer – the castle of pirate Queen Grace O’Malley, giving a fascinating insight into one of the Wild Atlantic Way’s more notorious characters. Bike hire is available from near the quay, but with a pair of walking boots or stout shoes it is possible to walk to the north side of the island in around an hour, following well-marked paths and small roads. The northern part of the island plays host to a magnificent lighthouse, perched above the Atlantic at the top of sweeping cliffs and makes for a breathtaking location for a picnic lunch.

Further exploration of the island will reveal megalithic tombs, secluded inlets and much more. There is a great local pub on the island, only a few minutes from the quay, serving good lunches and often playing traditional Irish music.

Day 5 & 6 – The Magical Islands of Inishbofin

Time to make your way further south out of County Mayo and into County Galway and the mystical land of Connemara – a truly unspoiled paradise for any discerning traveller to enjoy.

Your journey to Connemara will take you through some of the most spectacular scenery Ireland has to offer and a route well worth taking your time over to enjoy in full. Highly recommended is the drive through the Delphi Valley, where a small road takes you past magnificent loughs and high, green and craggy mountains, before dropping down into Killary ‘Harbour’. This natural harbour is easily the most impressive of Ireland’s three fjords and a great place to stop and take some marvellous pictures.

Once in Connemara your base for the next three days will be the splendid small town of Clifden, home to Irish music, great restaurants and pubs and a place to enjoy a slightly busier place of life from that experienced on the Islands.

Your accommodation

The island’s longest-established hotel, your accommodation on Inishbofin has been offering hospitality to delighted guests for over 50 years. Owned and run by the same family to this day, the tradition continues, with cosy and simple en-suite rooms, superb food and a bar that often rings to the sound of live Irish traditional music.

Day 7 - Out and about in Connemara

Connemara is a part of Ireland synonymous with everything that people expect from its west coast. Stunning landscape, ancient history and great local people, all combine to form a magical land, where the native Gaelic is still the first language for the majority of locals. In keeping with the island theme of this holiday, you will enjoy a day trip to Inisbofin Island, a bigger and busier brother to Clare island with a slightly longer ferry crossing from the small pier at Cleggan, just north of Clifden. We are also happy to organise additional options such as guided walks on the coast or mountains or the hire of an electric bicycle, to enable you to take a very leisurely cycle through the local area.

Day 8 - A Thrilling Flight to Inis Mhor

Take an early breakfast this morning and set off for tiny Connemara airport. Here, board a 16-seater aircraft for the thrilling short flight to the Aran island of Inis Mhor. There’s no better way to arrive here, having experienced the view of the islands in the vast, inky Atlantic. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by a superb local guide, an island man of the Gealtacht, and taken on a thrilling off-road tour in a specially adapted Land Rover. Your guide is filled with stories of the island and his and his family’s own personal history here. You’ll be guided well off the beaten-track to take in some of the more difficult to reach wonders of Inis Mor, and to locations for recent award-winning film The Banshees of Inisherin

Return to the mainland in late-afternoon, and head back to your accommodation in time for dinner.

Your accommodation

This eighteenth century stone-built house is situated halfway along the island of Inís Mór between Kilronan and the western village of Bun Gowla and is ideal for exploring this lovely island, nowhere being more than a comfortable one hour’s walking distance. Once the family home of the “Ferocious O’Flahertys” – and now to a much more welcoming local family – it has been recently renovated to the highest standards while keeping its old style charm.  The remarkable ancient fort of Dun Aengus is just a few minutes’ walk up the hill behind the house.

Day 9 - Explore Inís Mór

The island of Inis Mór is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland, mostly for a day trip. Staying overnight allows you to experience the island at a less hurried pace. It is steeped in history and resembles an outdoor museum with over 50 different monuments of Christian, pre-Christian and Celtic mythological heritage. There isn’t far you can go before being somewhere of historical interest and little reason to question its’ importance in modern Irish Culture. Of course you can also browse the locally made Aran jumpers – you’ll never see so much quality knitwear in one place – and end the day with some “craic” and live music in a traditional bar.

On your second day on the island, you’ll be met by a superb local guide, an island man of the Gealtacht and taken on a thrilling off-road tour in a specially adapted Land Rover. Your guide is filled with stories of the island and his and his family’s own personal history here. You’ll be guided well off the beaten track to take in some of the more difficult to reach wonders of Inis Mor.

Day 10 – Return home

Return by plane to the mainland and collect your car once again.
Dublin is now only a leisurely 4 hours away – although Rosslare and Belfast are slightly further. If you wish we can arrange an additional night’s stay near to the port or airport of your choosing so you end your holiday feeling well-rested.

PRICING

Prices based on two sharing double or twin ensuite rooms for nine nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Price includes ferry travel as foot passengers to Clare Island and Inishbofin Island, and return flights to Inis Mhor, as well as private guided walks on Achill and Inishbofin, and a guided off-road experience on Inis Mor as part of a small group.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including full directions, recommended routes and suggestions on places to visit, depending on your interests, to help you get the most from your holiday.

We would be delighted to facilitate your travel to and from Ireland, if required. We would recommend Dublin as your starting point, although it is also easy to come via Belfast or the port of Rosslare, via the ferry from Fishguard in the south of Wales if bringing your own car.

This holiday can also be done on a fly-drive basis, with flights to Ireland & car rental. Please do ask if you would like us to arrange this for you.