The Burren and Connemara face each other across Galway Bay, with the glorious Aran islands strategically placed in between. It is hard to imagine two more contrasting landscapes. ‘Burren’ is derived from the Irish word boireann meaning ‘place of stone’, and the name could not be more apt. There is no part of Ireland where rock so obviously dominates the landscape as it does in the Northwest corner of County Clare.

The Burren covers an area of some 260 square kilometres and is famous for its bare limestone pavements dissected by deep crevices and traversed by countless stone walls. Surprisingly, this bizarre and apparently hostile environment is a botanist’s paradise as around ¾ of Ireland’s plant species are found in the Burren (more than any other region).

By contrast - Connemara is an imposing landscape of lakes, moorland and rugged mountains. It has some of the most extensive areas of blanket bog in Europe and is home to many heathland and bogland plants such as the insectivorous sundew and butterwort and a rich variety of heaths and heathers. The two main mountain groups – the Twelve Bens of Connemara and the Maamturk Mountains – are separated by the deep valley in which Lough Inagh lies. One of the most typical Connemara scenes is to see the jagged peaks glistening with quartz reflected in the still waters of a bogland pool.

In between these 2 contrasting landscapes lie the Aran Islands, Inisheer (near island), Inishmaan (middle island) and Inishmore (big island). Although the Aran Islands belong to Co. Galway, geologically they are similar to the Burren in Co. Clare with many of the fields consisting of little more than bare limestone. The islanders have eked out a living by improving the soil over generations with sand and seaweed. Aran is also a bastion of Irish culture. Irish is still the everyday language of most islanders, making it the strongest Gaeltacht in the country.

Many traditions that have been lost on the mainland have been maintained here. It also has a wealth of archaeological and historical remains, notably its prehistoric stone forts and Early Christian sites. Aran has been a mecca for scholars and discerning travellers ever since John Millington Synge’s brilliant depiction of the islanders’ life in The Playboy of the Western World.

Trip Outline:
Day 1 Arrive to Doolin where you will be spending your next two nights. I’ll meet you here if I haven’t picked you up somewhere first!! After a “briefing session”, we will enjoy our first evening meal together. Walk to view Cliffs of Moher after dinner or sometime tomorrow evening.

Suggested arrival airports for this holiday are Galway or Shannon. Alternatively – you may prefer to fly to Dublin and transfer by bus (2.15hrs) with Bus Eireann, GoBus or Citylink to Galway city centre (sounds awful – but it is really easy with bus leaving from Dublin Airport & going direct to Galway City & new motorway makes it very quick & easy and only costs about €10 according to John!!) . Transfer from Shannon Airport (departing by 2pm latest) is possible – giving me sufficient time to collect from Galway City & get us all to Doolin at a reasonable time!

Day 2 Today we will enjoy that old favourite – Black Head – a glorious circular walk from Fanore and into the heart of the Black Head mountain, with wonderful limestone pavements and stone walls all around. There are fantastic views over Galway Bay and the Aran Islands as you continue on, over Gleninagh Mountain. We join the Burren Way to drop down into the Caher Valley and return to our minibus. Transfer back to Doolin for dinner & overnight.
Walk Details: Distance: 14 kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Ascent: 320m. Little road walking, rocky grass tracks, open hill top, limestone pavement. Boots essential.

Day 3 Today we leave the Burren mainland & visit Inis Oirr – the smallest of the Aran Islands (& nearest to Doolin). Enjoy a lovely walk around the island before transferring by ferry to Inish Meain where we will be staying for our next 3 nights. Walk to our accommodation (luggage will be transported for us!) and enjoy a lovely home-cooked evening meal in house.
Walk Details; Distance: 10kms. Duration:4 hours.Max Ascent: 100m. Tracks, road and limestone pavings

Day 4 Today we enjoy a good days walking around Inish Meain – exploring it to its full potential and enjoying some magnificent scenery along the way. Return to our accommodation for dinner and overnight. Walk details. Distance 15kms. Duration 5 hrs. Max Ascent. 150m. Small road walking and paths, open limestone pavement. Coastal & near open cliff top. Boots essential and bathing suit if weather is good!

Day 5 Explore the rest of Inis Meain – all the bits we didn’t get done yesterday & enjoy another day immersed in this fantastic & traditional island.
Walk Details: Let’s wait & see!

Day 6 Transferring on the morning boat to Inish Mor - we walk to the world famous cliff top stone fort of Dun Aonghasa. The stone chevaux-de-frise of this fort are still visible and the whole experience has been described … “as the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe”. Return to the ferry & continue on our journey to Rossaveel where we re-unite with our transport & continue to Roundstone where we spend our next 2 nights.

Day 7 Enjoy a super walk on Errisbeg and around Dog’s Bay with wonderful views over bogland & sea. Return to Roundstone for dinner & overnight.
Walk Details: Distance: 14kms. Duration: 4 hours. Max. Height: 250m. Grass and muddy tracks, rocky in places. Can be very wet underfoot. Some road walking - boots essential.

Day 8 From Roundstone – we will drive you back to Galway City for your onward journey after breakfast – arriving to Galway about 10 am latest. Anyone requiring a transfer to Shannon Airport is welcome to stay with me as I drive back there en route to Tralee. At Galway Bus/Rail Station – you can access all airports, ferryports or main cities by the excellent train/ bus services offered. A private Bus service also serves Dublin Airport/Dublin City direct from outside the Tourist Office.

SouthWestWalks Ireland reserve the right to alter this itinerary due to weather conditions, the conditions of the walks, or the ability of clients. SouthWestWalks Ireland has given the above Walk Details as a guideline - these may not be accurate on the day due to weather or individual walking pace. Please refer to “General Holiday Information” to assist with holiday preparation.


This Guided Holiday price includes....
#. 7 night’s Bed and Breakfast. Full Irish Breakfast. Private bathrooms
#. 6 days walking. Varied and interesting each day.
#. All transfers/ferries required to complete the walking week.
#. 7 evening dinners “in house” or in local restaurants.
#. Guide with you throughout!!!!
#. Public transport details, www.buseireann.ie & www.irishrail.ie;
#. Full pre-departure information pack to allow you to fully plan for your holiday.
#. Extra days and nights booking if required – please ask for advice when making your holiday booking.

2012 Dates:

Please contact us directly for start dates for this tour.

Difficulty of Walks: 2 Boot