23 July – 2 August 2019
Dates
11 Days
Duration
10 – 14
Groupsize

Magic Islands along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland

Inishmore, Inishmaan, Inishbofin, Inishark, Clare Island, 

On each of the five Islands, in very different landscapes, we will make an easy walk with local guides. From them and other islanders we will get a lot of information about island life and the struggle for survival today and in earlier times. On the way to the islands we will drive through the he beautiful countryside of Connemara where we will also visit a sheep farm and we will get to know the stories and the history of “The Lost Valley” with a local farmer. In between there is a lot of time to relax and explore on your own.

The tour will be led by Elizabeth Zollinger, founder of the project “Celtic Spirit” on Inis Mór

More detailed tour information is given in the Itinerary Section.

PROGRAMME DATE

23 July – 2 August 2019

BOOKING

no later then 15 April 2019 (early booking recommended: places limited and flights are cheaper if booked early)

TRAVEL / FLIGHTS

Dublin Airport (flight individually or with other participants), bus to Galway.

Meet in Galway at meeting point at 16.30

individually back from Westport by train to Dublin

INCLUDED

10 nights B+B and hotels sharing

All transport (excluding flights)

5 evening meals and 2 lunches

Guided tours and other activities in accordance to program.

NOT INCLUDED

5 evening meals and 8 lunches (mostly picknick)

Beverages and tips, insurances

ACCOMMODATION

3 nights in Kilmurvey House, Inis Mór,

1 night in modest B+B’s on Inishmore

3 nights in Inishbofin House Hotel on Inishbofin

2 nights in luxurious B+B’s on Clare Island

1 night in lovely B+B’s in Westport

COST

Approx. CHF 1690. – (Euro 1450.-, depending on exchange rate) from Galway to Westport.

Additional nights in Galway, Dublin and on Inis Mór can be booked: starting from Euro 38.- (CHF 45.-), B+B sharing.

SUPPLEMENTS

Single rooms: CHF 290.- (Euro 250.- dep. on exchange rate)
(As the hotels/guesthouses are small there are not many single rooms available and we would appreciate if people are willing to share, may be even part time)

Small group supplement: 10/11 participants: CHF 90.- (Euro 80.-), 8/9 p.: CHF 190.- (Euro 165.-)

CANCELLATION

Up to 60 days before departure: 10% of the total price
59-31 days before departure: 40% of the total price
30-1 days before departure: 80% of the total price
On the day of departure or no show up: 90% of the total price

Elizabeth Zollinger, an artist from Zurich, lives part-time on Inis Mór since 1974 and is strongly connected with the island, its people and its culture. In cooperation with some Islanders she created the project “Celtic Spirit “in 1996, offering Cultural Weeks which aim to retain the culture and heritage of Inis Mór while developing and promoting a sustainable tourism on the island.

download pdf: Magic Islands 2019 

 

Additional information

DestinationAran Islands, Co. Galway, Clare Island, Inishbofin, Westport
Age12+
1

Day 1

Meeting in Galway at 16:30, bus and boat (40 min.) to the Island of Inishmore, transfer to Kilmurveyhouse, dinner, overnight stay: Kilmurveyhouse, (D)
2

Day 2

Info about the island and program with Elizabeth and Treasa Ní Mhiolláin, «Sean nós singer», visit Vincent, fisherman and basket maker and the seaweed factory, hike along the cliffs (2 hrs) to the ancient site of Dun Aonghasa, dinner in Catherines lovely Coffee shop, overnight stay: Kilmurveyhouse, (B/D).
3

Day 3

Cliff walk to Dún Dubh Chathair (21/2 hrs), free time in the village of Kilronan, have a pint of Guinness or a coffee, shopping or time to watch the “Man of Aran” film (Robert O Flaherty 1931), overnight stay: Kilmurveyhouse, (B).
4

Day 4

Morning at leisure, boat to Inishmaan (20 min), soup and brown bread, visiting the famous knitting factory, walk with Maureen (1 1/2 hrs), visiting Synge Cottage and reading from his book (“The Aran Islands”), music in the pub, overnight in 2 modest B+B’s (B).
5

Day 5

Boat to Rossaveal (45 min.), bus to Cleggan and crossing to Inishbofin (45 min.). In the afternoon you can join the Eco tourism walk with Tommy Burke or explore the island on your own (swim, walk or just relax), music session in the pub, overnight stay: Inishbofin House Hotel, (B/D).
6

Day 6

Morning. chat with Tommy Burke about Island life, time at leisure, after lunch: bautiful easy walk along the shore with Elizabeth (2 hrs), overnight: Inishbofin House Hotel, (B)
7

Day 7

Morning: explore the island on your own, afternoon: boat trip to the seal colony and the inhabited island of Inishturk (45 min.), walk with Tommy on the Island (1 hr.), back to Inishbofin and overnight stay in Inishbofin House Hotel, (B)
8

Day 8

Boat back to Cleggan, bus tour through the mystical mountains and moors of Connemara, visit the Glen Keen sheep farm, and learn about their life and the area, tea and scones, proceed to Roonagh Pier, crossing to Clare Island (20 min.), time to explore or a swim, session in the local pubs with Islanders (music, dance and stories), overnight stay in two luxurious B+B’s, (B/D)
9

Day 9

Walk and talk with a local. The history of the rebel and pirate queen Grainne O Maille who was born on this island, time to relax, overnight stay in the B+B’s, (B/D)
10

Day 10

morning back to Roonagh pier, bus to the beautiful Silverstrand and walk with a local farmer through “The Lost Valley”, proceed to Westport and explore this colourful little town, session in the cozy Pub of Matt Molloy (member of the famous group “The Chieftains”), overnight in two nice B+B’s (B)
11

Day 11

Return or onward journey (good connections to Dublin by train) (B)

(Note: Walks can be shortened!)

Galway

Insishmore

Inishbofin

Clare Island

Westport