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INTRODUCTION
This high quality walking holiday with a touch of adventure is in the south west of Ireland and includes three nights in Killarney and four nights in Dingle, County Kerry. Based at very good quality hotels, you can look forward to Irish hospitality and excellent guided walks including the Gap of Dunloe, the rugged off-shore island of Great Blasket, Killarney's lakes and delightful cliff walks on the Dingle Peninsula. This two-centre holiday offers contrasting locations, returning to the comfort of the hotel each day after the walks. Full Irish breakfast is served in hotels and picnic lunches provided for the walking programme.
We have included dinner in the hotel for the first three nights in Killarney, and in order to experience the local gastronomic delights of Dingle's excellent local restaurants, dinners for last four nights have not been included in the price of the holiday, thus allowing you to choose from the a-la-carte menus at some of the best restaurants in the area with great atmosphere or you may prefer to dine more simply, followed by a taste of Irish music in the local pubs.
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The experience of travelling on foot as in days of old is complemented by superb views, unique flora and fauna and a landscape imbued with folklore. We have an excellent local guide who will help to unfold the history and culture of Ireland. Add ample opportunities to enjoy the craic (the fun) of evenings in an Irish pub and we are all set for a great cultural experience.
The overall grading of the walks on this holiday is Moderate and suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit and active. The holiday is inclusive of flights from either Manchester, Birmingham London Heathrow or, if you prefer, you can make your own travel arrangements to Ireland and our agents will meet you at the airport.
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| Dates: |
20 - 27 June 2011 |
| Price excl. flights: |
£1345 |
| Price incl. flights: |
£1450 |
| Single supplement: |
£145 |
| Grade: |
Moderate [M] More info |
| Availability: |
Places available |
| Book this holiday now |
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HIGHLIGHTS
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KILLARNEY
Killarney is a vibrant town in the heart of the Irish Lakeland and regarded as a walking mecca. The town has colourful streets, a fine neo-gothic cathedral and other historic buildings, and offers a great variety of craft and bookshops, restaurants and pubs and is the gateway to Killarney National Park.
DINGLE
Backed by majestic mountains, the Dingle Peninsula has spectacular coastal scenery and is the perfect location for walking, sightseeing and relaxing. Dingle Town is a lovely fishing port with quaint picturesque streets and where the houses are painted in pretty colours. Boat-building and fishing still thrive, along with it being a popular tourist centre. Although Dingle is in the heart of an area in which Gaelic is the everyday language, everyone speaks English and visitors are made to feel welcome. Dingle Town has an amazing number of pubs, many of which provide nightly live Irish music entertainment.
WEATHER
We visit Ireland at the time of year when the weather is likely to be warm and sunny but, being near the west coast, we should not be surprised if it rains occasionally.
HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
- Three nights in the historic town of Killarney in the heart of the Irish Lakeland
- Four nights in the vibrant coastal town of Dingle
- Well researched guided walks with picnic lunches
- Sample Killarney's strong tradition of music and dance
- Enjoy the traditional Irish pubs with live music in Dingle
- A-la-carte dinners menus in local restaurants
- Gap of Dunloe and Kerry Way
- Mangerton Mountain walk
- Annascaul Lake circular walk
- Slea Head and part of the Dingle Way
- Optional Irish folk concert
- Great Blasket Island and Blasket Centre
- Explore Dingle Peninsula
- Celtic culture, folklore, history and archaeology
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ITINERARY
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Day 1 - Monday 20th June 2011 - Travel to Ireland
Departures from Manchester, Birmingham or Heathrow to Cork.
Met on arrival by our agents and transfer by coach to Randles Court Hotel, Killarney, where we spend the first three nights of the holiday. (Or make your own travel arrangements and meet up with the rest of the group at Randles Court Hotel, Killarney).
Welcome reception followed by dinner in the hotel. D
Day 2 - Tuesday 21st June 2011 - Gap of Dunloe
Our coach drops us off at the start point of our first walk and we follow The Kerry Way, descending through oak woodlands to the shores of Killarney's Upper Lake. After about two miles we reach Lord Brandon's Cottage, the traditional departure point for boats to Killarney. We then follow a narrow asphalt track westwards towards the Black Valley for a mile, turning right at the signpost for the Gap of Dunloe and Kate Kearney's Cottage. With the Macgillycuddy Reeks Mountains on the left and the Purple Mountains on the right, our route rises for two miles before we reach the summit of the Gap, (altitude 500 metres). The descent to Kate Kearney's is through a narrow glacial valley lined with a series of ribbon lakes. Picnic lunch. 9 miles walking. Grade Moderate.
Dinner in the hotel. Overnight Randles Court Hotel. BLD
Day 3 - Wednesday 22nd June 2011 - Devil's Punchbowl and Mangerton Mountain
Our coach takes us to the south of Killarney to Muckross, passing Molly Darcy's pub, we start the walk at the Mangerton view point and car park. The first part of the ascent is a fairly steep uphill walk, travelling south along a well worn track next to a deep river gully. After ascending about 500 metres the track veers south-west on to a more gradual slope where it is easier going until we reach a glacial corrie-lake, known as the ?evil's Punchbowl· The final stage to the summit at 843 metres involves a circuit around the ridge overlooking the Horses-Glew, where care has to be taken due to exposure. Picnic lunch.
The walk today provides the option of walking to the Devil's Punchbowl - 5 hours, or continuing to the top of Mangerton Mountain - 6 hours walking. Grade Moderate.
Dinner in the hotel. Overnight Randles Court Hotel. BLD
Day 4 - Thursday 23rd June 2011 - Circular walk - Annascaul Lake
Check out of the hotel after breakfast, leaving your luggage in the hotel lobby for transfer to the Dingle Benners Hotel. We are taken to Annascaul Lake by coach for today's walk.
On completion of the walk our coach takes us to the Dingle Benners Hotel where we, where we spend the next four nights.
Dinner in local restaurant under your own arrangements, or we can make the reservation for you, depending on the requirements of the group.
Overnight Dingle Benners Hotel. BLD
Day 5 - Friday 24th June 2011 - The Dingle Way (Ventry to Slea Head)
Our coach takes us along the Dingle Peninsula passing landscape littered with archaeological sites. We walk over the rocky shores of Dingle Bay and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Slea Head and Dunquin (the nearest parish to America) captured in many movies. We will be tempted to stop at Dunquin Café for optional coffee and delicious homemade pastries before continuing an extra two miles to Dunmore Head, the most westerly mainland point in Europe with its ogham stone. The easier option is to walk down to Coomenole Beach, made famous from the movie Ryan's Daughter. Picnic lunch. 7.5 miles walking. Grade Easy/Moderate - your choice.
An option this evening is to attend a two hour Irish Folk Concert at St James' Church starting at 7.30pm.
Optional dinner in local restaurant. Overnight Dingle Benners Hotel. BLD
Day 6 - Saturday 25th June 2011 - Great Blasket Island
In the early part of the 20th century the inhabitants of Great Blasket Island produced a body of literature in the Gaelic language describing a harsh existence battling the elements. A walk on the now-abandoned island allows us to appreciate the conditions that stimulated that output.
Drive to the tip of the Dingle Peninsula and visit the Blasket Visitor Centre which celebrates the story of the Islanders, their unique achievements, culture and traditions and which sets the scene for our visit to the island, abandoned in 1953. From Dunquin we take a boat across to the island and walk through the abandoned village and then follow the footpath or cliff edge to the end of the island, looking out for a ruined hermitage and fort.
Picnic lunch. 6 miles. Grade Moderate. This walk provides an opportunity for shorter or longer walk, depending on the requirements of the group.
Time permitting, we have included a visit to the renowned Louis Mulcahy Pottery on the way back to Dingle.
Optional dinner in local restaurant. Overnight Dingle Benners Hotel. BLD
Day 7 - Sunday 26th June 2011 - Smenwick Harbour Coastal Walk
BD
Day 8 - Monday 27th June 2011 - Departure
The time has come to say farewell to Ireland. After breakfast we have free time in Dingle. Transfer by private coach to Cork airport for the return flights to Manchester or Heathrow. B
B = breakfast L = lunch D = dinner
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ACCOMODATION
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Randles Court Hotel
For the first four nights of the holiday we stay at the 4-star Randles Court which offers luxury accommodation in Killarney where each guestroom is individually designed in keeping with the tradition of a country house, whilst offering the most modern of amenities including Direct Dial Telephone, Satellite Television, CD Player, 24- Hour Room Service and Deluxe Marble Bathrooms. Some rooms boast Jacuzzi Baths, Separate Power Showers, Wide Screen Televisions, DVD Players, Cordless Telephones, Voicemail, Broadband, Deluxe Rejuvenate Beds and Private Sitting Areas. All Rooms are Non-Smoking.
For relaxation and well-being, the hotel's leisure facilities includes an indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna and gym. The private beauty Clinique offers massage and body treatments.
Dingle Benners Hotel
Our base for the next three nights of the holiday is Dingle Benners Hotel located in the heart of Dingle Town and favoured for its old world charm and style. Luxuriously appointed bedrooms provide an intimate atmosphere complemented with authentic Irish antique furnishings. Mrs Benner's Bar and the hotel lounges will be popular meeting places after the day's walking where you are sure to receive a warm and friendly welcome.
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Please note that the following flight times, flight numbers and routings are the latest known and are subject to change and confirmation by the airlines. All times are local.
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Outbound - Monday 20th June 2011
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Depart Manchester (T1)
Arrive Cork
or
Depart Heathrow (T1)
Arrive Cork |
E1729 (Aer Lingus)
E1715 |
1540
1650
1400
1515
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| Inbound - Monday 27th June 2011 |
Depart Cork
Arrive Manchester (T1) |
E1728 |
1400
1510 |
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| Inclusive price per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin including flights |
£1450 |
| Inclusive price per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin excluding flights |
£1345 |
| Single person supplement occupying a double room |
£145 |
WHAT THE FULL PRICE INCLUDES
- International return scheduled flight from Manchester/Birmingham/Heathrow to Cork
- Private coach transfers between airport and hotel
- Welcome Reception
- Three nights at the 4-star Randles Hotel, Killarney, including full Irish breakfast
- Four nights at the 3-star Benners Hotel, Dingle including full Irish breakfast
- All meals shown in the Itinerary
- Irish Government taxes
- Airport security and departure taxes
- Accompanying tour Leader throughout
- Experienced local guide for the walking programme and visits
- Picnic lunches for the walking programme
- Services of our Agent in Ireland
- Private coach travel for the walking programme and visits to places of interest
- Boat service to Blasket Island
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Holiday/Travel Insurance
- Dinners in local restaurants for the last three nights in Dingle
- Beverages
- Gratuities, which are optional
- Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this web page
Please Note:
For reasons of safety, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to make changes to the programme without advance notice. Every effort will be made to avoid this if at all possible.
E&OE
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