Exploring the Heart & Sole of the Burren & the Dingle Peninsula.

Archaeology, Flora and Hiking.8 day tour

New: Exploring the archaeology of our ancestors and hiking through their landscapes

These dates have been specially selected so as to showcase the magnificent flora that is unique to the Burren in springtime.

It’s not to be missed!

 Bloody Cranesbill.

Tour dates: May & June especially for wild orchids & spring gentian.

Tour Cost: 1500 euros p.p.sharing, single supplement extra 120 euros.
 

Included:All accommodation, lunches, breakfasts,some meals, transport, collection and return to Shannon,guiding services of Maeve.

Not included: 3 meals in Dingle, ferries to the islands and alcohol.

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

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 especially the cuckoo. The bursting to life of such flowers as Gentian and bloody cranesbill, their delicate colours are quite amazing. The colours,the bird chourus,the stark grey landscape, fringed with the wild Atlantic ocean, walking in the footsteps of the ancestors, this place is truly special.
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, a botanists delight.
Mid week we will leave the Burren and drive south to spend the remaining days exploring the beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. The ever changing kalidescope of colour that splashes over th hills on the Peninsula, is truly a dramatic and exciting assault on the eyes, something extraordinary to stir the heart. The walking terrain will be wetter underfoot and some days a little challenging but 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.
Weather permitting 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. Some evenings we will eat together, chat of the days explorations, learn about the plan for the next day and afterwards find some traditonal Irish music and song.

Spring Gentian.

Itinerary:

Day 1:

I will meet you at Shannon Airport.

We will then travel to the heart of the Burren where we will visit Corcomroe Abbey and take a walk on the nearby Abbey Hill. From the top of Abbey Hill, we will have magnificent views across Galway Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean. This makes for a super introduction to walking across the unique limestone landscape of County Clare.

After our walk, we will drive to the seaside town of Doolin, famous for its pubs and its traditional Irish music.

Overnight in Doolin with evening meal included.

Mullaghmore Mountain in the Burren National Park.

Day 2:

We will spend the morning exploring archaeological sites such as Poulnabrone, Parkabinnia, Caher Chomain and St Bridget’s Well. This will involve short walks to and from each site and it will touch upon the very heart of this ancient landscape.

In the afternoon, we will follow an old trail called the Green Road from Gleninagh Castle around the famous Black Head. This is one of my favourite walks with views of the ocean and the islands. We’ll finish at Fanore, a small townland by the beach.

Overnight in Doolin with evening meal included.

Day 3:

If the weather permits, we will take the ferry from Doolin to Inish Meain, one of the Aran Islands. Here, we’ll explore even more archaeological sites such as the spectacular stone fort of Dún Conchúir (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. WB Yeats told him to visit. “Go to the Aran Islands and find a life that has never been expressed in literature,” he said. 

He did and his love for the islands led him to write ‘The Aran Islands’ a work that is a both a personal account and an attempt to preserve the pre-literate culture of this unique place.

Overnight in Doolin with evening meal included.

Day 4:

Farewell to Doolin and hello to Dingle. We will journey south after breakfast.

Weather permitting; we will stop off in Kilrush where we will take a ferry to Scattery Island. Inis Cathaigh, as it’s known in Gaelic, is a bleak but fascinating place. It has the finest round tower in all of Ireland. It also boasts a well, a cathedral, several churches, the burial place of 6^th century Saint Senan, ogham stones and the remains of an Elizabethan castle.

After a day immersed in such history, we will continue our drive down to Dingle.

Overnight in Dingle with evening meal not included.

Day 5:

We will drive out to the western tip of the peninsula to walk along the windswept Ballydavid Headland. This is a stunning walk with breathtaking views of the islands and the Atlantic Ocean. We may even be lucky enough to see a chough. This rare coastal bird that lives along the cliffs is a wonderful aerial acrobat.

After a stop for a bowl of soup at lunchtime, we will spend the rest of the day discovering the ancient history of this area. We’ll explore Gallarus Oratory, Kilmackeadar Church, Rathinanne Castle and much more.

Overnight in Dingle with evening meal not included.

Day 6: A day of options

We could explore Killarney National Park.

We could walk along the Slieve Mish Mountains.
Or we could rest up, browse Dingle’s craft shops or take short walks in the local area.

Overnight in Dingle with evening meal not included.