WEST COAST DISCOVERY KEY FACTS: DEPARTURE DATES: WHAT TO EXPECT: INCLUDED ACTIVITIES:

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1 WEST COAST DISCOVERY KEY FACTS: Group: Small (max 14) Duration: 8 days / 7 nights Start/Finish: Dublin Dublin Transport: Private vehicle (minibus), train Accommodation: 7 nights in charming hotels and guest houses. Physical Rating: Light - walking, suitable for most fitness levels. DEPARTURE DATES: Dublin Dublin 25 May June June July July July August Sept (Custom and private departures can be arranged for groups of 5 or more people) WHAT TO EXPECT: Apart from having the time of your life, or as the locals say, great craic! Services of an Irish tour leader and local guides throughout. All transport between destinations and to/from included excursions. 7 nights accommodation in charming hotels and B&Bs on a twin share basis. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: Dublin guided walking tour Sligo town orientation walk Hike to Queen Maeve s cairn Ceide coast & Downpatrick Head Connacht Whiskey Distillery tour Ballycroy National Park entry/visit Achill Island - overnight excursion Keem Bay & The Deserted Village Cycle the Great Western Greenway Westport orientation walk (local guide) Croagh Patrick, Ireland s holy mountain Lost Valley guided cultural adventure Killary fjord, Ireland s only fjord Kylemore Abbey and Gardens Connemara National Park entry/visit Galway walking tour (local guide) Cliffs of Moher - hike from Doolin The Burren National Park entry/visit Explore 3 of Ireland s national parks Wild Atlantic Way discovery points Traditional Irish music sessions Visit Ireland s historic castles 1

2 Have more time... why not extend your trip by booking our 3-day Northern Ireland add-on? Visit Belfast, Derry, Donegal and the Causeway Coast voted the Lonely Planet s Best Region to Travel in 2018! 2

3 DETAILED ITINERARY Tour starts at 10:00am in Dublin. Day 1: Dublin Sligo Our adventure kicks-off in Dublin, Ireland s historic capital, with a guided walking tour of the most famous sights (and hidden gems) in the city. Board the train for a 3-hour rail journey to Sligo, situated on the west coast of Ireland. Upon arrival in Sligo town, known for its literary heritage and rugged countryside, enjoy an orientation walk of the town with your local guide. Tonight, join your group for dinner and a pint of Guinness at Hargadon Bros. Overnight: Sligo town, Co. Sligo Day 2: Sligo Ballina We begin our day with a short hike up Knocknarea Hill, steeped in Irish mythology (the home of Queen Maeve s grave) and offering fabulous views of the surrounding region. Continue to Enniscrone, a lovely seaside town and walk along its golden beach. Stop at the courtyard café in Belleek Castle for lunch, followed by a private tour of the recently opened Connacht Whiskey Distillery. Visit Killala round tower and witness the unrivalled coastal beauty of the Ceide coast at Downpatrick Head. This evening, relax by the river and watch the salmon jumping over the weir in Ballina. Overnight: Ballina, Co. Mayo Day 3: Ballina Achill Island Slievemore. Leaving Ballina, we embark on a looped drive around majestic Lough Conn, with its wonderful scenery and photographic opportunities. Stop in Lahardaun, Ireland s Titanic Village. Discover Ballycroy National Park, covering a vast unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin mountain range. Get ready for our overnight excursion to Achill Island - with countless hidden gems, an unrivalled array of outdoor activities, pristine beaches and the Deserted Village at Overnight: Keel, Achill Island 3

4 Day 4: Achill Island Westport Cycle a section of the Great Western Greenway from Achill to Newport, following the old railway line. This traffic-free route passes by some of the West of Ireland s most dramatic scenery, offering unparalleled views of Clew Bay and its many islands. Awarded Ireland s Tidiest Town, Westport is one of the most picturesque towns in the country - and has no less than 50 pubs! Enjoy an orientation walk with your local guide, before sampling the atmosphere during a traditional Irish music session at Matt Molloy s pub. Overnight: Westport, Co. Mayo Day 5: Louisburgh / Leenane loop A short hike up Croagh Patrick, Ireland s holy mountain and a place of ancient history and pilgrimage, offers breathtaking views over Clew Bay. Embark on a fully guided cultural adventure through the spectacular Lost Uggool Valley near Louisburgh, which offers a unique window into the cultural heritage of the West of Ireland. Marvel at Ireland s only true fjord, Killary, rated among the top 10 glacial fjords in the world. Return to Westport through the untouched and desolate Doolough Pass/Valley, which serves as a memorial of The Great Famine. Overnight: Westport, Co. Mayo Day 6: Westport Galway Visit Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden, beautifully set in Connemara National Park, home of the Twelve Bens mountain range. Stop in the village of Roundstone, at the foot of Errisbeg Mountain and overlooking the Atlantic, located on one of the most spectacular coastal drives in Ireland. Continue to Galway, with its medieval city walls - here you ll find one of the liveliest streets in Ireland, with great shopping and traditional pubs. Enjoy a walking tour with our local guide, showcasing the highlights and history of the city, followed by an optional cultural evening with the group. Overnight: Galway city, Co. Galway 4

5 Day 7: Doolin / Cliffs of Moher final night out with the group! Journey along the magical Wild Atlantic Way towards the Burren National Park, a lunar-like karst landscape of rocks and cliffs. For a truly unique experience of spectacular coastal beauty, embark on an 8km guided walk with a local farmer from the village of Doolin in Co. Clare, along Ireland s most famous sea cliffs, the Cliffs of Moher. Visit Dunguaire Castle on the shores of Galway Bay and Hazel Mountain Chocolate, a bespoke bean to bar stoneground chocolate factory, located at the foothills of the Burren. Afterwards, return to Galway city for a Overnight: Galway city, Co. Galway Day 8: Galway Dublin Departure day. No planned activities or excursions. Open return transfer to Dublin included. Dublin add-on available: includes accommodation, guided walking tour, Irish Folklore Evening and Literary Pub Crawl. Please enquire for further details. TOUR PRICE: 1,650 (single supplement - 350) 5