Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

Hidden Treasures of Ireland’s West Coast THE CLIFFS OF MOHER, ARAN ISLANDS, CROAGH PATRICK, AND CLARE ISLAND

The rugged west coast of Ireland, long the haunt of artists, holds some of the country’s most dramatic scenery—and finest hiking. With beloved Trip Leaders Con Moriarty and Ann Curran, our cultural and hiking

and Celtic high crosses, and we watch a magical sunset by the sea at the towering Cliffs of Moher. Days 3-5 County Mayo / Clare Island / Westport In County Mayo, we hike up Croagh Patrick (2,500'), one of the world’s most sacred mountains and a pilgrimage site for thousands of years. Ferrying to Clare Island, once the domain of a powerful Gaelic clan and their pirate queen, Grace O’Malley, we hike one of Ireland’s finest cliff ramparts, visit a sheep farmer to see his border collies in action, and finish our hike at stunning Clare Island lighthouse. We join friends in a village for a special introduction to Irish poetry, and in the colorful market town of Westport, we have a special evening with musicians at a local pub. Days 6-9 Connemara / Aran Islands / Galway / Clifden Crossing an ancient pilgrim route into the Maumturk Mountains, we hike right to our lakeside Victorian lodge in a wild region of Connemara. In the otherworldly Aran Islands, where Gaelic is still spoken, we explore a landscape of labyrinthine stone-walled fields and breathtaking sea cliffs. Back on the mainland, we’ll follow trails in Connemara National Park and have a picnic on Omey, an intertidal island with spectacular archaeology. Our final trails lead along Killary Harbour and then to the rocky peaks of the Twelve Bens, with a farewell evening in the company of musicians. Depart on Day 9.

“Is there a better rating than excellent? If so, that's our rating.

adventure brings you to the treasures of Croagh Patrick, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and the spectacular Aran Islands. Con and Ann know this land as few others do, and love to share its ancient sites and pilgrim trails, introducing you to poets,

BRIAN MCGILLOWAY MARTIN SIEPMANN

Con clearly loves to envelop his guests in the magic that is Ireland—we're the richer for it.”

Kathy L., Burlington CT

farmers, foodies, musicians, and people with deep community connections. Along the way, we savor the new Irish culinary scene, with picnics of the freshest locally sourced food and special meals from the kitchens of two of our welcoming guesthouses, and a stay at an enchanting Victorian-era lakeside lodge. Days 1-2 Galway / The Burren Our hikes begin in the spectacular karst landscape of the Burren, whose limestone hills and hidden glens hold 10,000 years of human history—Bronze Age burial sites, standing stones, Iron Age forts,

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike on gorgeous Clare Island, with its iconic lighthouse and dramatic cliffs • Explore Connemara on a hike with a local historian, meet a sheep farmer and his border collies • Hear the lilting sounds of the Gaelic language in the Aran Islands • Savor the Irish food scene, with local specialties including oysters, scallops, and grass-fed Irish beef • Enjoy lodgings of character: an 18th century manor house, a Victorian-era fishing lodge, and a guesthouse on the Aran Islands DETAILS • 9-day trip begins and ends in Galway • 8 nights charming inns and hotels • All meals included except 1 dinner

DATES May 19-27, 2018

Sep 1-9

Jun 24-Jul 2

Sep 29-Oct 7

Jul 21-29

TRIP COST $4895 (11-15 members) $5395 (4-10 members) Single supplement: $510

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A mix of moderate walks and hikes, 3-6 hours a day, van support

We’ll hike spectacular trails and get an insider’s perspective as we discover the Ireland’s rugged west coast. PHOTO: PETER COX

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