I have had the incomparable joy of experiencing three hikes organized by Southwest Walks Ireland (SWWI). The passion SWWI has for their mission of providing an unforgettable, comfortable and quality walking experience in Ireland is evident in the care they take with each journey they arrange. From the communication prior to and during our journey, to the transportation, accommodation and meals, to the route descriptions and directions- every detail demonstrated the team’s organization, knowledge, and enthusiasm.
Walking Holiday Ireland
My scrapbooks and imagination are full of memories of the self-guided hike of the Dingle Peninsula my husband, Brendan, and I took in 2006 with two dear friends, and of a self-guided ramble Brendan and I made through the Wicklow Way in 2004. The independent travel perfectly suited our desire to explore at our own pace, to test our skills and stamina, to be open to chance encounters and interactions with strangers, fellow ramblers, and the locals of the towns and villages we passed through. But it is the memories of my first visit to Ireland in 2002- a guided walk through the Beara Peninsula-that still makes my heart sing with wonder.
Walking Holidays Dingle Peninsula Ireland
Our days began with breakfast at 8:30; we then packed our lunches, and hit the road by 9:30. We’d drive 30-60 minutes to our starting point and hike until about 4:00. Mileage covered depended upon the weather and the terrain, but it ranged from 8-10 miles per day. We stumbled into bogs, walked through streams, tripped up mountainsides, strolled through forests, ate lunch in abandoned famine houses, in open fields perched on hillsides, or in the shadows of ancient Druidic ceremonial stones. After a day of hiking it was off to the nearest pub for a rejuvenating pint, then back to our accommodation for a shower and rest. We would meet up at 7:00 for dinner, then to another pub or two for drinks, conversation, music, and finally home to bed around midnight.
I cannot separate the way I explored the country from my experience of Ireland itself. Instead of peering out the windows of a bus as part of group tour, or meandering about in a car with a dog-eared guidebook, I spent my days tramping about the countryside lost in thought, the amazing vistas spread out below, above, and around me. I felt so alive and at peace as the elements tossed gale-force winds, torrential rain, hail, and finally gentle sun, playful breezes and soft rains my way. I woke every morning with joy at the physical challenge that lay ahead. I whiled away the evenings in a pub, Guinness in hand, getting to know my fellow hikers and learning about Ireland from our guide and from the locals whom we drew into our little gang. I explored my capacity for joy, calm, physical stamina, competitiveness and independence. A hiking holiday was a singular experience that cleared my head, swelled my heart, and left me with an understanding of a country, its people, and myself that would not have been revealed to me as a traditional tourist.
Irish Walking Vacation on Sheep's Head
Pieces of my heart remain in the west hills of Ireland: in the little village of Allihies nestled on the Atlantic at the edge of the world; at the tip of Sheep’s Head, catching my breath after a sudden squall; with our guide John, with whom I traded dreams, sunscreen and gingersnaps as we charged up Knockgour Mountain; in a pub in Bantry Bay, arguing the merits of baseball with a skeptical Manchester United fan; and in the streets of the village of Casteltownbere, wondering how I could ever go home again.
I am blessed to have traveled and lived in Africa, Asia, Europe and the South Pacific, as well as in several regions in the United States, experiencing some of the most beautiful and interesting places on the planet. Yet none has touched my heart and remained so vivid in my imagination as Ireland. The great beauty of the country and the open spirit and generosity of its people make it such a delightful place to discover; creating a holiday with SouthWestWalks Ireland has allowed my loved ones and me to explore with energy and ease. I cannot wait to return to Ireland for another adventure with SWWI, the only challenge is deciding where to journey next: the Donegal Coast beckons if I travel with a girlfriend from Canada, but the Antrim Coast is promised to Brendan. Or, I could leave everyone behind and meet new friends with Traditional Ireland…the certainty is, I will return.
Sheep on the Dingle Way, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
