JUNE 22 - 30th  9 days
$2950 per person sharing  Single supplement: $350
 

From the rugged coast of the Dingle peninsula to the tranquil valleys of the Galtee Mountains, join us as we delve into Ireland's Celtic hinterland. Running in a swathe from west to east, the ancient baronries of Corca Duibhne and Duhallow are home to a fascinating mix of local cultures, from fishermen in the west to survivors of Cromwellian battles in the east. Hiking and history by day, with evenings spent discovering the great musical tradition of this region.  

Day 1: Collect at Shannon airport and transfer to our first hotel in Dingle, on the western tip of the Dingle peninsula. With its extensive hiking trails, offshore islands, prehistoric sites and outstanding local artists, Dingle has everything to offer the visitor. This afternoon we will take a short hike to get some good sea air into our lungs. Overnight Dingle (three nights).

Day 2: A five mile hike across Ballydavid Head offers spectacular sea views, with the afternoon exploring some local historic sites, and trying to separate the truth from folklore about St. Brendan, 'the Navigator'. This 6th century monk is  reputed to have discovered America on one of his great sea voyages.

Day 3: A ferry crossing takes us to Great Blasket island, with its abandoned village, seabirds and the chance of passing whales and dolphins. Lunch will be eaten among the pre-historic ruins near the summit, offering the finest lunchtime views you will ever see! 

Day 4: Heading east, we stop for a beautiful hike along Inch beach, before turning inland to Killarney and its national park. Our afternoon will see us learning about the park's Bronze-Age mining site, set among the yew and oak forests along the shores of Lough Leane. Overnight Killarney (two nights)

Day 5: A delightful boat cruise will drop us at the start of an eight mile hike across moorland and peat bogs to Torc waterfall. Along the way we'll look for red and sika deer, and hope to spot the massive outlines of white-tailed sea eagles. This hike will also take us through one of the country's best preserved pre-Famine period (1845-50) landscapes, where we'll learn about the cause and impact of this sad period of Irish history.

Day 6: Leaving Killarney, we cross the 'county bounds' into west Cork, where our first stop is the enigmatic pre and early-Christian site at Ballyvourney. Continuing east we'll explore Kanturk and its attractive castle.  Around 1600, Donagh MacCarthy of Lohort Castle, Cecilstown, near Kanturk, started building his large castle outside Kanturk.

The English Privy Council decided that it was too large and threatening, and in  1608 troops were sent to stop the building. All  the slates from the roof were thrown in the nearby stream, since called the 'Blue Pool'.  We'll finish with an afternoon hike around Doneraile Park to learn about the life and times of the 18th and 19th century Anglo-Irish aristocracy.  Stay near Mallow (three nights). 

Day 7: We'll take an extended morning hike in the Galtee Mountains, with views stretching over at least five counties, before visiting the wonderful Rock of Cashel, one of the premier sites in the country. The rich farmimg country around here abounds with antiquities, and we'll stop of on our way home to visit one of the largest megalithic tombs in Ireland.

Day 8: Our last day will take us south to two fascinating coastal towns - Cobh, departure point for so many 18th & 19th century emigrants, and Youghal, a lovely walled town linked with Sir Walter Raleigh, and the making of the movie 'Moby Dick'. Back to our hotel for drinks on the lawn before our final dinner.

Day 9: To Shannon airport (1 hr) or nearby Mallow train station for trains to Dublin or Cork.

Other sites nearby we may visit include:

BALLYBEG ABBEY, Buttevant. A monastery built by the Barrys of Buttevant.

KILCOLMAN CASTLE, Doneraile. In the late 1500's and early 1600's the home of Edmund Spenser and where he wrote the 'Faerie Queene'.