Frequently asked questions about walking in Ireland

Travelling with your group of friends
If 6 or more of you want to come on a holiday specially designed for your own group — we will be happy to organise this for you. We will be delighted to help you with a Group Escorted Holiday, a Special Interest Leisure Holiday or an Independent Holiday of your choice and make it exclusive to your group. If you would like a mixed” itinerary that does NOT appear in our brochure — we will be happy to put something specific together for you.

If you are travelling with 6 or less people — then we will be happy to incorporate your group into one of our Group Escorted Holidays, or a Special Leisure Interest Holiday or we can organise an Independent Holiday for
you.....Top

Travelling alone
Some people do not take an active holiday because they find themselves in the position of having to travel alone. What they usually don’t know is that many active people travel alone. Our walkers may be tired at the end ofthe day but they will never be alone.The people in your group share your sense of adventure and exploration - they are as interested in meeting you, as you are interested in meeting them. There is NO additional supplement or those willing to share a two-bedded room with someone of the same sex. If you require a room on your own — there will be an additional supplement charged — please see our Booking Conditions for further details.....Top

Guides
Our guides are selected because of their knowledge of the area over which you will be walking, their ability to explain what they know and their friendly and outgoing personalities.The beauty of walking with an Irish Guide is that you get more information. All Guides speak English and many speak other languages.You will come to respect and consider your guide a friend. Our guides regularly get “fan mail” from past walkers.They are lovely people who understand that this is your time to get out and walk and to enjoy your holiday. They will explain the ecology of the area, its history, art, architecture, customs, folklore and its natural history. They are enthusiastic about helping you to gain more insight into Irish life and to enjoy yourself to get the most out of your holiday and above all, to have fun.....Top

Grading Explained
In order that you may enjoy your walking & hiking holiday to its full, we have graded each hiking location to give you an opportunity to choose the holiday best suited to you and your level of fitness. Conditions in Ireland, both over-head and underfoot can change daily — that’s one of the beauties of our country, thereby changing the normal grade of the walk. Weather conditions whether sunny or damp can change the profile of the day’s walk. So - be prepared and always take an interest in the local weather forecast. Do
remember that the better equipped and prepared you are for your holiday, the more enjoyable that holiday will be for you. Our trails are wild, open, rugged and “interesting”, taking you across open mountain tops, bogs, beach, old butter roads, mass paths and small country lanes So for 2003 we have changed our grading to allow you to get a better “feel” for what a walking holiday in Ireland is really like.....Top

Moderate Grading  

 

Getting to the start of your holiday
Arriving by air to Shannon, Cork, Kerry, Galway, Knock or Belfast Airport will require a transfer to the starting points of your chosen holiday. We offer Courtsey Transfers from some airports — within our timetable on your arrival day only ie Saturdays for Guided and Special Interest holidays.We will be happy to give relevant transfer details on request to our Self-Guiding walkers and to make arrangements if requested. Flying into Dublin Airport is also possible with an excellent selection of buses and trains to choose from. Arriving to Ireland by boat — using one of our four main ports — Dublin, Cork, Rosslare or Larne and a train or bus transfer is also possible. Please contact SouthWestWalks Ireland if you need any assistance or advice on any of the above.....Top

The Itinerary
SouthWestWalks Ireland will follow the itineraries as outlined, but reserve the right to change any days’ activities due to weather conditions or any other unforeseen circumstances. All our Guided and Special Interest Holidays have a meeting place on the arrival day — this is a convenient location chosen for those of you who are travelling to the start of your holiday independently by bus, train or car. Please note — this is not the first accommodation for your holiday. If you arrive before the meeting time please contact our office if you wish and we will direct you to your first accommodation. After your Guided Special Interest Holiday we will return you to a major bus / rail station for your onward journey.....Top

Optional extra day
Should you wish to extend your holiday over the normal 8-day period — we strongly recommend that you avail of our Optional Extra Days programme. These days are designed to allow you to relax before and/or after our Guided or Special Interest Holidays or to incorporate during your Self-Guiding (or Individual) Holiday enabling you to visit more places of interest along the way or simply ‘Chill Out’.....Top

Recommended items
We also recommend the following:
• Lunch box & thermos flask
• Midge repellent cream
• Gaiters
• Waterproof wax or spray for your boots
• Any specific personal medical requirements
• Camera & Lots of Film!
Please Note: It is our experience that denim jeans & rain-capes are not suitable for walking in Ireland. Please click here to download a complete equipment checklist.....Top

Insurance
SouthWestwalks Ireland requires you take out adequate insurance for personal liability or injury, and loss or damage to personal property. This must be taken out prior to travel.Evidence of insurance cover will be required prior to confirmation of booking.....Top

Maps
Many of you have asked us about buying maps of the walks you do. We will be happy to send you the relevant copies of the ‘Discovery Series’( 1:50,000) maps in advance — please add a note with your booking form and we will post them to you and add on the additional charge. Please note — Self-Guided clients get these maps supplied with their information pack. Guided Clients might also like to order a map or book on their holiday area in advance. This can be done by contacting us via email/telephone.You may also order directly from the website.....Top

Mail order service
Not sure where you are going, what part of Ireland your walk is located, would like to learn more about it — then our mail-order Service will solve all your pre-holiday questions.We offer you the opportunity to choose from our
extensive range of Walking Maps, Books and General Activity Publications.You will be delighted with the range we have to offer with a wealth of knowledge available to help you plan your walks while holidaying in Ireland. This service is available all year round, so should you have any questions or queries, require accommodation or just some general knowledge on Ireland, we have the book or map for you. Please contact us and we will get a copy of our mail order list out to you by return or it is also available on our website.....Top

References
Should you wish to talk to a client who has already been on a holiday with us - we will be delighted to get someone in your locality to phone, email or write to you about us.....Top