Women Into the West
Joyce's Ireland Irish Tours
Women Only Tour of The West Coast of Ireland

From Shannon we drive north to the Burren, a strange lunar-like region of bare carboniferous limestone which occupies around one hundred square miles of County Clare. Below the surface of the Burren is the most remarkable assemblage of spectacular caves, streams, potholes and ""turlough" (vanishing lakes). We will make our way to Lisdoonvarna in County Clare and the Burren Region.

Our first walk will be at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Leaving the bustling car park behind, we can enjoy relative solitude walking along the cliffs towards Hag's Head. On the grassy bank at the lower cliff look out for puffins. They make their nests on the grass. We can also hope to see and hear fulmars, guillemots, kittiwakes and if we're really lucky peregrine falcons. After dinner, we can venture into the village in search of traditional music in the pubs.

After rising at a civilised hour and consuming a full Irish breakfast, we will be met by Maryangela Keane, our local expert guide for the day. She will take us to sites of botanical, geological and archaeological interest. This will include walking in two separate parts of the Burren with a break for lunch. In Springtime you will never see anything like the carpets of primroses, or the white flower of the blackthorn cascading over all the hedgerows. Rare and spectacular plants occur in abundance. Nowhere else in Ireland, Britain or even north west Europe can such quantities of the blue Spring Gentian, cream Mountain Avens or yellow Shrubby Cinquefoil be encountered. Orchids grow everywhere in the Burren and 23 out of the 27 Irish species are to be found here.

Before leaving the Burren we will walk at it's highest point, Slieve Elva. Leaving County Clare, we will then drive north to Co. Galway and the Connemara Region where we will take the evening ferry out to Inismore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. We will be accommodated at Kilmurvey on the far side of this lovely island for two nights.

Our walk will take us along lanes, tracks, and green roads. We will be able to visit Dun Aenghus, a massive semi-circular ring fort lodged on the edge of cliffs that drop 300 ft into the Atlantic.

"Walking about the by-ways of Inis Mor, experiencing its barren rocks, shorn cliffs and rough seas so enchants that it cries out and claws at your soul. This isolated and untamed island quickly conquers and captivates your spirit."

This morning after breakfast we will take the morning ferry back to Rossaveal and then head on to Clifden in the heart of Connemara. If you wish, you can use this day as a rest day. Enjoy the shops and cafes in the pretty village of Clifden. My recommendation is to hire a bicycle for at least the afternoon and ride the "Sky Road" - this is a very famous cycling / walking route. It is only 12 miles, (not too hilly) and you will be rewarded with fine views. Alternatively there will be a guided walk at Omey Island (5 miles). This is a beautiful little island located just off the Connemara shore and we can reach it by walking across the sand at low tide.

Before we do anything strenuous today, we will stop for morning coffee at Kylemore Abbey. We'll have time to wander the wooded lakeside grounds and visit the Abbey and its famous walled gardens.

We then walk at Killary Fjord: one of the most enchanting walks in Ireland. The trail follows an old famine road in the heart of Connemara, winding its way between the mountains and the sea.

Goodbye to Ireland after our drive back to Shannon Airport.