Itinerary
Belmullet Peninsula
Once the tour boards the bus, your Extreme Ireland guide will introduce himself and you'll head north-west out of Dublin towards north Mayo.
Your first stop will be at Foxford Woollen Mills. The Woollen Mills is a great place to stop with lots of Irish arts and crafts, a coffee shop, and sits in beautiful Foxford village.
The tour group will pass between two lakes just outside the village: Lake Cullin and Lake Conn, the larger of the two with Mount Nephin in the foreground makes for a spectacular view.
The group will make a stop at Black Head which is a cliff range that looks out on to the North Atlantic. You'll appreciate the fresh sea breeze after your drive.
On then to Ceide Fields, which is the most extensive Stone Age site in the world and contains the oldest known field systems in the world.
Inishkea Island
You will wake up in a wild place and after breakfast, the group will explore this wonderful peninsula and some of the islands around it.
Extreme Ireland will take you to the small but long island of Inishkea for a hike. When the group gets back to the boat, you will take a cliff walk along the brilliant sea cliffs in the north of the peninsula.
After your day out, you'll feel refreshed so look forward to a nice relaxing evening with a meal and maybe a pint or two to send you off to sleep!
High-light of the day: Walk along Inishkea Island
Overnight: Belmullet
Restaurant Suggestion: The Barony Restaurant
Ballycroy National Pk & Achill Island
Today Extreme Ireland will take you to the Ballycroy National Park Visitors Center. Ballycroy is a protected area of bogland which stretches out into Tullaghan Bay. The Visitors Center will tell you the history of the area and how important the turf bogs have been to generations down the years. The group will then cross the small bridge, which will take everyone to Achill Island, your home for the night.
Once you get checked into the accommodation, the tour will take you for a walk up Croaghaun. At the top, you will see amazing sea cliffs. Experience the might of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against these stone giants - a truly spectacular sight! Feel the wind against your face and invigorate your senses with the sights and sounds surrounding you. When you come down from Croaghaun, the group will take a walk along Keel beach before heading back to your accommodation. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and refreshing walk.
Highlight of the day: Keel Beach walk on Achill Island
Overnight : Achill Island
Restaurant Suggestion: The Village Bakery
Walk Up Croagh Patrick & Stay Westport
The tour group will leave the wonderful Achill Island and keep heading south through Newport and along Clew Bay. Clew Bay is the bay of islands. It's said that it has 365 islands in total, one for every day of the year. The group will stop in Westport, a fantastic town and one of Extreme Ireland's favorites. There is a lot you can do in Westport and many places to visit, such as brilliant pubs and restaurants.
Next, you will check into your accommodation and head for Ireland's holy mountain: Croagh Patrick, where St. Patrick spent 40 days and nights at the top. You will experience fabulous views from the top; there is even a church at the top just in case you want to drop in to say hi to the big fella!
Highlight of the day: Walk up Croagh Patrick – Ireland's Holy Mountain
Overnight: Westport
Restaurant Suggestion: Olde Bridge Restaurant
Connemara & Killary Fjord
Extreme Ireland will be easy on you today with a drive through one of Ireland's most stunning valleys. Doo Lough is a place that is missed by the tourist trail. It is off the beaten track and when the tour goes there, it is usually free of tourists. Enjoy this lovely hidden gem and the spectacular views afforded by the secluded lake rimmed by majestic mountains.
Once you are checked into your accommodation, the group will get their walking gear together and head for the Famine Walk along the shores of Killary Harbour. The starving Irish peasants built this road to earn food. You will pass little villages and cottages along the way. If only walls could talk, you would surely hear some sobering stories of their hardship.
Highlight of the day: The Famine Walk along Killary Fjord
Overnight: Leenane Village
Restaurant Suggestion: Blackberry Cafe
The Inagh Valley
Today, you will be taking a walk through the Maumturk Mountains. The walk is called the Maunméan walk and it is simply spectacular. You will walk through a gap in the mountain range and down to the Inagh Valley, where you will find Inage Lodge - a wonderful oasis where you can have some lunch or a pint after your walk. The group will also take the opportunity to visit one of Ireland’s most romantic abbeys, Kylemore Abbey. You will stay in Leenane again tonight and maybe check out some traditional music in the local pubs.
Highlight of the day: The Inagh Valley Walk
Overnight: Leenane
Restaurant Suggestion: Hamiltons Bar
The Burren National Park
Today the group will leave the wild and wonderful Connemara and move on to the county of Clare: home of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. Extreme Ireland will drive out of Connemara through Oughterard, known as the gateway to Connemara. The group will drive through lovely landscapes to the bohemian city of Galway, where the famous Claddagh ring comes from. Shop for a gift for yourself or another in the home of the well-known ring.
After Galway, the group will travel along the coastline around Black Head. You are now in the heart of the limestone region of The Burren. Here you will hike around this lunar-like landscape where you will see many species of plants only found in this part of Ireland. Sometimes the Burren is known as the 'Fertile Rock' because these beautiful and determined flowers manage to grow in the cracks and crevices of the limestone. There is a wonderful energy here and many fall in love with its raw beauty.
Highlight of the day: Walk through The Burren
Overnight: Doolin Village
Restaurant Suggestion : Magann’s Pub
The Cliffs Of Moher
Everyone dreads the last day when it all must come to an end. However, Extreme Ireland has one more spectacle to show you before moving out on the road back to reality. This morning, you will walk along the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs stand over 250 meters high and every October they are host to one of the biggest dates on the big wave surf calendar. Aileen's Wave, which can reach 40 feet high, will crash annually against the cliffs. Whatever time of the year you decide to come here, these cliffs never fail to impress. Marvel at the stunning landscape and rugged cliffs as the ocean crashes below.
After your visit, the group will head back to Dublin via Limerick and make a quick photo-stop at Bunratty castle along the way. You can visit Blarney Woollen Mills there to grab some last minute gifts before you travel home.
Highlight of the day: Hike Along The Cliffs Of Moher
End of Services: Thank You!
