QUESTION?.What is this tour all about and what can I expect?

ANSWER?.My idea for this tour came from my love of archaeology and springtime in the Burren and on the Dingle Peninsula. The first time I lead a tour in the Burren in springtime I was blown away by the bird song and the bursting to life of such flowers as Gentian, bloody cranesbill. The colours,the bird chorus was magical,the stark grey landscape, fringed with the wild Atlantic ocean, made me realise just how lucky I was to be able to share and enjoy this experience with my fellow walkers.

I am delighted to have one of Irelands top field archaeologists to join us on this special tour.

The Burren itself is a fascinating, unique, unusual, lunar landscape where you feel you are walking in the footsteps of ancient civilizations.

In the words of the famous field botanist Robert Lloyd Praeger, and I quote, the ?gaunt hills of Burren?,(Boireann,great rock from Gaelic)?the strangness of this grey limestone country must be seen to be believed; it is like nothing else in Ireland or in Britain?. The flora of the Burren is ?remarkable, and in spring so beautiful,that it is celebrated far outside the ranks of the botanists?. Praeger describes the landscapes so perfectly it captures the imagination.

Walking through the Burren over the limestone pavement can take some getting used to but you will very quickly.Along the way we will stop to look at and talk about such archaeological sites as Caher Chomain, Poul na Brone, Cathair Dhuin Irghuis,and several Bronze Age settlements.

Each day we will have a packed lunch with us to have on the way.

One day we will take the ferry boat to the largest of the Arainn Islands and explore first hand the eastern part of the islands many archaeological sites for example, Dun Dubh Cathair and Temple Benan.

Mid week we will leave the Burren and drive south to spend the remaining days exploring the beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. I have made this area my adopted home and not a day goes by that I marvel at the ever changing kalidescope of colour that splashes over the surrounding hills here on the Peninsula.A dramatic and exciting assault on the eyes but something special to stir the heart.

The walking terrain will be wetter underfoot at times and some days a little challenging but far from people we will learn what made this place special among many ancient settlers. We will see their old homesteads, walk through there fortresses and get to grips with their spirituality.

If the weather is on our side one day we will take a short ferry trip to the Blasket Islands.This is truly a wonderful place to just be, but we will be walking to the back of the island along a path that the islanders made themselves.

In the evenings we will have dinner together at our guesthouse, get to know each other, carry on discussions from the day, talk about tomorrows plans and then maybe stroll next-door to the pub for some traditional Irish music.

Contact me

Itinerary

Costings for Tour: based on minimum 6 participants, 1400 euros per person sharing, this includes all accommodation, lunches, breakfasts, transport, guiding services of Maeve, archaeologist for two days.
Not included: all meals, and ferries to islands , alcohol.
Group size: Minimum 6, Maximum 10.

Day 1 (7th June)

Maeve your tour leader and guide will meet the group in Shannon airport at 9am on the 7th.

Leaving Shannon behind, we will drive to the heart of the Burren and visit Corcomroe Abbey and stretch the legs with a walk on Abbey hill close by. From the top of Abbey hill we will have magnificent views across Galway Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean. A super introduction to walking across the limestone landscape of this unique place in County Clare.

After our walk, we will drive to the seaside town of Doolin, famous for its pubs bursting with traditional Irish music to our guesthouse at Atlantic House overlooking the ferry point for the Arann Islands.

Day 2 (8th June)

Today we will spend the morning exploring a greater number of archaeological sites some very well known some not so well known for example Poulnabrone, Parknabinnia, Caher Chomain and St Brigids Well.

It will involve short walks to the sites but we will touch the very heart of the uniqueness of the Burren's ancient landscape. In the afternoon we will follow an old trail called the Green road from Gleninagh Castle around the famous Black Head, one of my favorite walks with easy views of the ocean and the islands. We finish the walk at Fanore, a small town land by the beach.

Overnight and evening meal in Doolin.

Day 3 (9th June)

Weather permitting we will take the ferry from Doolin this morning to the middle island of the group of Arainn Islands, Inishmeainn to visit some of the many fascinating archaeological sites, such as the spectacular stone fort of Dún Conchuir (Conor's Fort) with its commanding views over Galway bay.

The famous writer and playwright John Millington Synge had a close connection with this island. Inspired to visit by another well known Irish poet, W.B. Yeats as he said "Go to the Aran Islands, and find a life that has never been expressed in literature." His love for the islands allowed him to write 'The Aran Islands' a work that was both a personnel account but also and attempt to preserving information about the pre- (or a-) literate Aran culture in literary form.

Overnight & Evening meal, Last night in Doolin at Atlantic House.

Day 4 (10th June)

We say farewell to Doolin after a hearty breakfast to set us on our journey south to the Dingle Peninsula. In the town of Kilrush weather permitting, we will take a short ferry trip (20 mins) to Scattery Island.

Scattery Island (Inis Cathaigh) A bleak but fascinating place and home to such artefacts, finest example of a round tower in Ireland, plus a well, a cathedral, a church, the burial place of the 6th century St Senan, an ogham stone, the church of Ard-na-nAingeal, the late mediaeval church of Teampall na Marbh and the remains of an Elizabethan castle. After a superb day immersed in the ancient early Christian past we will continue our drive south the magical Dingle Peninsula.

Overnight & evening meal in Dingle Town the vibrant heart of the area.

Day 5 (11th June

This morning we will take a short drive to the western point of the peninsula to walk along the windswept Ballydavid Headland. This is a truly stunning walk with breathtaking views of the islands, the ocean. We may be lucky to see the rare coastal bird that lives along the cliffs called the chough with its incredible acrobatic flight.

After a stop for a bowl of soup, we will spend the afternoon immersed in the archaeology of the area. We will explore a selection of the important archaeological sites, such as Gallarus Oratory, Kilmackadar church, Rathinanne Castle and more

Overnight & evening meal in Dingle.

Day 6 (12th June)

Optional Killarney National Park or walk inland among the Slieve Mish Mountains or time to rest up, browse the shops/craft shops in Dingle and have a shorter walk in the afternoon.

Overnight & Evening meal in Dingle.

Day 7 (13th June)

Weather permitting we will visit the Blaskets islands, a place apart. A short ferry trip will bring us to the largest of the Islands, An Blascoid Mhor or The Great Blasket, the last inhabitants left in 1953. A truly magical and beautiful island abundant with seabirds and a past full of stories, legends, scholars and people. In the words of Tomas O Crothan, , known as 'The Islandman', "The likes of us will never see again".

Overnight & evening meal in Dingle followed by superb session of traditional Irish music.

Day 8 (14th June)

Time for Farewell and return to Shannon refreshed and renewed again.

Slan Abhaille ---Safe Home.

Click Here to see Booking Details