Hike Ireland's Natural and Ancient Wonders: Dublin to the Aran Islands

The Trip

An incomparable walking adventure to some of the most scenic settings of Ireland — Glendalough, a 10^th century abbey, in the Wicklow Mountains near Dublin to Dun Aonghasa, a spectacular hill fort, on the Aran Islands in the Atlantic. Discover the natural wonders, thrilling history, and amazing culture of Ireland. Explore castles, abbeys, and historic sites dotting the countryside. Marvel at the stark landscape of The Burren and the mountainous wildernesses of Connemara — two of Ireland’s national parks. We will walk through rich pastoral farmlands, biodiverse bogs, and stunning mountains, and among the steep and mist-enshrouded coastlines.

Ireland’s history stretches back some 10,000 years. We will discover the roots of Irish civilization and experience Ireland's wild areas and its rich cultural heritage: the folklore, music, and traditions. Ireland has been cited as "the most beautiful place on earth" by National Geographic and was voted among the top 100 destinations in the world by Trip Advisor. The people of Ireland are as charming as their land is beautiful. In the West of Ireland and among the Aran Islands the pace is easygoing; when you visit a village or pub and meet with the local people, you'll be rewarded with colorful descriptions and lengthy stories.

Enjoy an inspiring, active adventure among the breathtaking coastline, scenic valleys, sea views, and natural beauty. Travel by minibus, accompanied by a skilled Irish hiking guide who will help lead our walks. We will enjoy dinners both in our lodgings and in some of the fine restaurants that abound in this economically prosperous Ireland. For those with the energy, there will be opportunities to visit pubs at night to hear traditional Irish music.

Our itinerary below samples historical and scenic highlights, mostly in the west of Ireland, with an inspiring combination of day hiking and visits to Irish antiquities. Our itinerary will be followed as closely as possible, but the final decision on most days will be based on the group's abilities and, of course, the weather.

Day 1: Arrive Dublin. Our first activity together will be an afternoon walking tour of some of the major sights in downtown Dublin followed by dinner.

Day 2: We depart Dublin for Glendalough in Wicklow Mountains National Park. Our adventure begins with a visit to one of the lesser known passage tombs dating from 3400 BC, older than the Pyramids or Stonehenge. Thereafter, we’ll marvel at a very Irish curiosity, the Celtic High Crosses at Monasterboice, some of the best examples of religious art sculpted on rock, used by the monks to instruct the pagan Irish about Christianity. The famous Fore Abbey will be the next stop; this 7th century monastery has a rich history and unexplainable wonders. Another stop will be at the Hill of Tara, the traditional inauguration site of the ancient High Kings of Ireland and an evocative place, celebrated in Irish myth and legend. Our day’s journey ends at Glendalough, a beautiful pastoral glacier carved valley, where we will spend the night.

Day 3: Our day will combine a tour of some of Glendalough’s ancient monastic sites; many are 1,000 years old. Glendalough is considered one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. The settlement was started by St. Kevin in the 6^th century. Afterward we will enjoy a lovely hike in this spectacular area on the Spinc (meaning pointed hill). We will ascend toward Lugduff Mountain and enjoy marvelous views of the valley and lake below.

Day 4: We are traveling to the west coast, on our longest travel day of the trip, to the picturesque town of Clifden in Connemara (a cultural region known for traditional Irish culture), in County Galway. Along the way we will tour the foremost of Ireland's early Christian cities, Clonmacnoise, on the banks of the River Shannon. Its well-preserved ruins exhibit ancient churches, round towers, and the largest collection of Early Christian grave slabs in Western Europe. As we continue our way to Clifden we will take in the bohemian-cool and traditional culture of Galway City. This stop will allow us to stretch our legs while we take in the sites of this unique city.

Day 5: Today we visit Connemara National Park with scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands, and woodlands. After a brief stop at the Visitor Center we will hike to the top of Diamond Hill (almost 1,500 feet of elevation gain) with superb views of the surrounding countryside and the Atlantic Ocean. In the afternoon we will enjoy walking around the beautiful grounds of Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden. The Abbey was originally built as a gift for a beloved wife, Margaret Henry, who tragically died at 45 years old, only a few years after the castle was completed. A portion of Connemara National Park comes from the original Kylemore Abbey Estate. While the castle is impressive to see the Victorian Walled garden is a gem. Overnight in Clifden.

Day 6: Our hike today will retrace the steps of people in search of food during the Great Hunger. During our hike along the beautiful shores of the Killary and Doolough lakes, we can hardly imagine the harsh conditions there in 1849. If the shepherd is available along our walk, we will also enjoy his marvelous sheep dog demonstration. Overnight in Clifden.

Day 7: Today we hike around Roundstone Harbor Village, described as a “botanist’s delight,” where we may encounter wildflowers that are rare to Ireland. Our off-trail hike rewards us with amazing views of the area. This town will delight with its rugged glacier-mountain backdrop along the sea. We will also enjoy a visit to Dan O'Hara's/Connemara Heritage Centre, a working farm that shares the history, heritage, and culture of their land. Here we will see how turf is cut from a bog for use as fuel in homes and power plants around Ireland as well as other traditional activities. Overnight in Clifden.

Day 8: Ferry to the Aran Islands, unique in their geology and archaeology, unrivaled in their scope of history. The dramatic landscape, craggy shores, and dizzying cliffs mark the “edge of Europe.” Probably most famous is the spectacular stone fort at Dun Aonghasa. Stay on the island of Inis Mor.

Day 9: Ferry to Doolin, County Clare, an area rich with historical and archaeological sites — more than 90 megalithic tombs and portal dolmens. Walk along the Cliffs of Moher, 700 feet of sheer vertical walls dropping to the thundering Atlantic waves below. Among the most popular natural attractions in Ireland. Overnight in Ennis.

Day 10: Hiking in the Burren National Park, internationally famous for its landscape and flora. Gaelic for "great rock” the Burren’s massive limestone plateau displays a colorful diversity of flowering plants living together within the one ecosystem in a land that appears to be composed entirely of rock. Visit the striking megalith, Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating dating from 4000-3000 BC. 

Day 11: The adventure reluctantly comes to an end. Our shuttle will take some to the Shannon airport near Limerick and others back to Dublin. Please do not book your airline reservations until you speak with the leader.

Getting There

Our trip begins in Dublin. Instructions about where to meet prior to the trip will be provided once you are approved for the trip. At the end of the outing our minibus will provide transportation to Shannon Airport near Limerick, and then to Dublin. The cost of transportation to Ireland is the responsibility of each participant. There are many International flights into Dublin and Shannon each day. There are also frequent trains and buses between Limerick and Dublin that may reduce your airfare by flying into and out from the same city. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified by the trip leader. Ireland does not require visas for short visits.

Accommodations and Food

We will stay in bed and breakfasts and small country inns, enjoying full Irish breakfasts and dining in good restaurants and small village pubs. Since we're hiking most days, lunch will be along the trail. We stop at small shops or delis, where you can purchase pre-made sandwiches or whatever tasty snacks you may find. Our accommodations are in shared twin or double rooms; single supplements will usually be available. Vegetarian meals are always available, but may be more limited than in the U.S. If you have any specific dietary needs, please contact the leader before signing up for the trip.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is designed for active Sierra Club members who enjoy the outdoors. Hikes will be moderately paced, covering a variety of terrain including established trails, pastures, remote bogs, and sometimes rocky paths.The hikes will cover distances up to 9 miles and elevation gains up to 1,500 feet. Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle because it is green, so there’s a good chance that it will rain sometime while we are there, which can make any walk more challenging. Our pace will be relaxed, but you should be accustomed to walking a little more than two miles per hour on level ground and be able to walk uphill -- at a slower pace -- without undue fatigue. Your enjoyment will depend on your preparation and general fitness level. Walking/hiking is the only exercise that will totally prepare your legs and feet for this trip. Frequent hiking excursions, working up to your trip expectations -- whether leisurely or challenging -- for three or four months prior to the trip should be adequate. Wear the hiking boots you'll use on the trip for these pre-conditioning exercises!

Equipment and Clothing

Your equipment will be what you would normally take on a day hike, but with special attention to the rain gear (jacket & pants) — Ireland is green because it rains. Waterproof hiking boots that are well broken in are also a must. Your daypack should be large enough to carry your water, waterproofs, a light jacket, personal first-aid kit, snacks and lunch. Don't buy new boots and expect to break them in on the trip. We request you bring just one suitcase or duffle bag, as space is limited in our shuttle bus. Comfortable evening wear with just a few selected garments will complete what you need to bring. A complete gear list will be provided to approved trip participants.

References

There are many guidebooks on Ireland. Eyewitness Travel Guides makes one of the best. Lonely Planet is another good choice. You do not need to purchase trail maps before your arrival. There are many specialized maps available for the area where we’ll be traveling; if you are interested, it is easier to purchase these in Ireland. A general road map will help you get oriented and track our progress during the trip. A visit to the travel section of your local bookstore, meanwhile, should provide some interesting browsing and give you more information about the country.

Recommended reading:

• Viney, Michael, Ireland: A Smithsonian Natural History. 2003. If you want to learn about the natural history of Ireland, this book is a good place to start. Not a textbook, but Viney provides plenty of depth on the fauna, plants and landscape of the Emerald Isle today, yesterday and what it could be tomorrow.
• Delaney, Frank, Ireland. Harper, 2008. This novel is about the Irish storyteller who travels from village to village telling stories in return for his keep. Delaney uses the mesmerizing storyteller so we will not forget what it means to be Irish.
• Kidd, Jess, Himself. Washington Square Press, 2017. A debut novel by Jess Kidd who grew up in a large family in western Ireland in County Mayo very close to Connemara. The setting is a small village on the western coast of Ireland where a dark mystery unfolds threaded with the superstitions and myths that are uniquely Irish.
• Rutherford, Edward, The Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga. Ballantine, 2005. Historical fiction at tis best as Rutherford tells the history of Ireland from pre-Christian Ireland during the reign of the mighty High Kings at Tara to the founding of the Free Irish State in 1922.
• McCourt, Frank, Angela’s Ashes. Scribner, 1999. A touching and tragic memoir of McCourt’s childhood in the slums of Limerick in depression era Ireland. The book reveals how poor Ireland was in the early to mid-twentieth century. Winner of a Pulitzer Prize.
• Bartlett, Thomas, Ireland. Cambridge University Press, 2011. This history covers the time from 431, the date of the arrival Palladius, the first bishop of Ireland, continues to 2010, beyond the Celtic Tiger. This is especially good that it is current enough to go beyond the Celtic Tiger, a period of rapid economic development from direct foreign investment.
• McCaffrey, Carmel, In Search of Ancient Ireland. Ivan R. Dee, 2003. A companion book to the PBS three-part documentary history of early Ireland which provides a good overview from prehistoric times until the arrival of British rule.
• Cahill, Thomas, How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe. Anchor, 1996.  This is the Ireland of St. Patrick and the Book of Kells. The distant barbarian hordes are destroying the continent, but monks and scribes worked diligently to preserve the Western civilizations books.  After the Dark Ages, Irish scholars began to spread learning once again and put their stamp on modern Western culture.
• Johnson, Owen & David More, Collins British Tree Guide (2nd edition). 2015. A compact field guide to the many wonderful trees of Britain (should do fine for Ireland as well).
• Streeter, David, Collins British Common Wild Flower Guide. 2015. A compact guide to the more common wildflowers in Britain (should do fine for Ireland as well).
• Harrap, Simon, RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds (2nd edition). 2012. A smaller field guide to the more common 215 birds of Britain (should do fine for Ireland as well).

Conservation

Unlike the United States, Ireland has been heavily populated for thousands of years. Modern Ireland, however, is susceptible to excesses of modern society. As a consequence of latter-day economic prosperity, major cities and towns are now clogged with traffic. The once pristine peat bogs are being rapidly decimated to produce electricity for a new, younger generation hungry for energy and the lifestyles and it supports. There are just a few protected areas, and most of the land is in private hands. We will see how the Irish, over time, have learned to live in balance with these finite resources. We will also learn about the modern-day dangers to this balance. 

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.