DAY 1

Arrival to the village of Leenane, in Connemara.  Situated at the head of Killary Fjord Harbour, Leenane village is surrounded by mountain and sea .  You stay the night in a well-chosen Guesthouse.  Your maps and starter pack will be waiting for you to go through.   There is a number of restaurants in the village of Leenane where you can go for an evening meal.

DAY 2

After your breakfast you will be transferred from your accommodation for your walk to Maumean and St Patrick’s Well (320m).   Maumean is a place of pilgrimage but also a point along the Western Way that offers you spectacular views over the picturesque valley of Lough Inagh with the Mamturk mountain on one side and the Twelve Ben mountain range on the other.   You make your way along a paved track to your B&B, which is located in the Inagh Valley where you stay tonight.

DAY 3

Taking a packed lunch with you from your accommodation you continue on along the Lough Inagh Valley for a walk along the base of the mountain through bogland and forest for 12km until you reach the area of Kylemore. Stay the night in Kylemore and tonight’s dinner is included.

DAY 4

After breakfast you will be picked up at your accommodation and taking a packed lunch with you, you leave Kylemore to explore the Killary Harbour area - walking along the Famine Track, and continuing along the Western Way back to the village of Leenane. Today’s walk provides you with beautiful views over Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord, whilst you follow its shores for approximately 14kms. You stay in B&B in the village of Leenane.

DAY 5

After breakfast you will be picked up at your accommodation and brought to the starting point of today’s walk near Westport. Walk along the Pilgrim's Walk a quite area, which brings you under the lower slops of Croagh Patrick as you make your way into Westport.  You will stay the next three nights in Westport B&B.  Westport is a small colourful market town and winner of Irelands national tourism award for the tidiest town in 2006.  It has lots of nice restaurants and a lively pub scene and very welcoming people

DAY 6

After breakfast a taxi will pick you up and bring you to Roonagh Quay where you will get the ferry to Clare Island.  Clare Island is the largest island in Clew Bay.   It is 5 miles long and 3 miles wide and there are wonderful options for you to walk.  On the rocky headland at the harbour is the square tower which served as Grace O’ Malley’s (Granuaile’s) castle. Clare Island was the stronghold of this remarkable 16th century O’ Malley clan chieftain who lived by her family trade of piracy and plunder.   You can also visit the 12th century Cistercian abbey, the remains of a 19th century Napoleonic signal tower and there are also some lovely beaches for you to explore.  You return on the ferry to Roonagh Quay where a taxi will pick you up and bring you back to Westport

DAY 7

You will be picked up at your accommodation in Westport and transferred to Murrisk for today’s walk.  Your target today is the top of Croagh Patrick - Ireland's Holy Mountain. This is quite a tough climb, but the views from the top are fantastic (climb 750m to the top; 4-5 hours).  It is quite a tough climb and the ground is uneven, with the top being most difficult with small rocks that make it tricky underfoot.   The fact that you have walked where many pilgrims have before, makes this a very satisfying day.  You return to the bottom where you will be picked up and brought to your accommodation in Westport to spend a relaxing evening.

DAY 8

Breakfast, followed by departure.

Suggested Addendum:

DA Y 8

Transfer from Westport to Rossaveal the ferry port for the Aran Islands and take the ferry to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands.  You walk on this fascinating island, which has history, archaeology and magnificent scenery.   Stay the night in island guesthouse. 

DAY 9

You stay another night to fully explore this island, again choose your own dinner this evening.

DAY 10

You leave the Aran Islands and take the ferry to Rossaveal and from there, a public bus (you pay direct the public bus) to Galway city. Enjoy the atmosphere of this lively city and stay the night in guesthouse.

DAY 11

Breakfast and departure.

The added cost for transfer to the ferry x ferry ticket to Inishmore, 3 nights B&B, at Euro 268.00 per person sharing (single supplement available).

Please be aware that the programme given for this tour is strictly intended as a guide only and may not be fully adhered to. Climatic conditions, safety regulations and travel options may subject the programme to changes and/or modifications without due notice, at any time. In such case, Killary Tours reserves the right to make any necessary decisions.