This year why not make a date to explore the Connemara landscape with not just great walking but great guides who will provide a fantastic insight into the very unique cultural, archaeological and historic heritage of the area? This unique event has a selection of walks for each season with every route specially designed and chosen to suit the particular time of year.
Itinerary
The Spring Walking Festival takes place from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 March kicking off on Friday evening with an introductory talk hosted by Michael Gibbons, where he will share with you the rich history and secrets of the Connemara Islands and Highlands.
Location: Station House Theatre, Clifden Station House.
Time: 8.30pm
Saturday 17 March: Diamond Hill, Connemara National Park (a dedicated area of bog and mountain wilderness)
Diamond Hill is one of the finest hikes in Ireland with a multitude of route options commanding huge ocean, island and mountain views. It is a outlier of the 12 Bens Mountain range standing 500 meters and towering above the small Quaker village of Letterfrack, which was founded by an English family during the Great Famine (1846-53) to relieve distress.To the west are the islands of Inishbofin and Shark, and to the north Inishturk, Clare Island and Achill (Co Mayo) - once ruled over by the powerful O'Malley clan.
From the summit of Diamond Hill you look down on Kylemore Abbey and Gardens - former home of Mitchell Henry MP, now owned by the Benedictine Nuns and formerly run as a secondary school -, and deep into the Twelve Bens Mountain range and the Maam Turk mountains beyond. On the slopes of the mountain are the remains of an abandoned 19th century Famine settlement, and buried in the surrounding bogs are the remains of a 5,000 year old Megalithic tomb, a Children's Burial Ground and a drowned bronze-age (4,000 years ago) forest. The wild valleys are home to large herd of native red deer and wild mountain goats while its rivers have rich stocks of salmon and trout which are hunted by Connemara's secretive and beautiful otters.
Meeting Point: The walk starts from the archway at Connemara National Park's Visitor Centre
Departure Time: 10.30am sharp
Duration: 3.5 hours (Harder option is 5-6 hours)
Walk Grade: Moderate to difficult and steep in places.
Requirements: Boots (good ankle support mandatory), wetgear, water, energy snacks & camera (optional)
Sunday 18 March: Inishbofin - Island of the White Cow
The beautiful island of Inishbofin, which is only a 30 minute ferry ride from the mainland, is famed for its magnificent scenery, relaxed lifestyle and traditional music, is five miles long and two miles wide and has a population of 200. The island has had a turbulent history with a strong association with Saxon England, 17th century France and 18th century America. Its fragmented coastline boasts a superb natural harbour, dramatic sea cliffs, beautiful coral beaches, sea caves and its seas teem with fish life which feed the island's large seal colony while the skies of 'Bofin' belong to choughs, corncrakes and falcons.
On this walk trip you will see the best preserved 17th century fort and ancient harbour on Ireland's west coast. You will walk through a bronze-age landscape, complete with 4,000 year old houses, cooking sites and ancient walls emerging from the bog. The island’s cliff bound coastline is home to spectacularly sited iron-age forts and overlooking Church Lough you will see the island's ruined church encircled by its 1,500 year old burial ground.
Meeting Point: Meeting at Cleggan Pier at 11.10am
Departure Time: Ferry departs at 11.30am sharp
Duration: 5 hours
Walk Grade: Easy to moderate walking along small roads, open bog and mountain
Requirements: Boots (good ankle support mandatory), wetgear, water, energy snacks & camera (optional)
Important Notes:
1. All participants must have hiking boots and appropriate clothing
2. All walks will be between 3 and 6 hours in duration with opt-out options on the day
3. While walkers of all levels are welcome the mountain walk is not suitable for any person with a serious medical condition
4. Participants must transport themselves to and from start and finish points
5. Where applicable ferry charge of € 20 per person is payable directly to ferry company on the day. Concessions may apply.
6. All dining and packed lunches will be provided by the hotel you have booked.
Each all-inclusive hotel package features 2 or 3 nights bed & breakfast and dinner on one or two evenings in any one of the participating hotels listed below. There will be two guided walks on each weekend and, to enhance the experience, a pre-walk archeological / historic lecture delivered by Michael Gibbons in the Station House Theatre. Packages also include 2 packed lunches... and all from € 199 per person sharing for a 2-night break or € 299 for a 3-night break!
Day Walkers - Tickets must be purchased in advance of the walks and are available from any of the five participating hotels listed below. Tickets are from € 25 with a packed lunch. All are welcome to attend Michael Gibbons' talk in the Station House Theatre on Friday evening.
Weekend Walkers - To book simply click on the hotel links below, choose your accommodation, choose your season and dust down your walking boots!
Abbeyglen Castle, Clifden town T: 095 21201
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Recess T: 095 31006
Cashel House Hotel, Cashel T: 095 31001
Clifden Station House Hotel, Clifden town T: 095 21699
Lough Inagh Lodge, Recess T: 095 34706
We look forward to welcoming you to Connemara!