Walking Weekend in Connemara

Killary Fjord – Famine Walk – Ireland’s only real Fjord called Killary. This walk is a wonderful easy type walk along the side of this Fjord on a clear path or track.  The walk is along the southern side of the Fjord with Mweelrea Connaught’s or Mayo’s highest Mountain on the other side

We start this walk from Rossroe, which sits at the very southern end of the Fjord and return back by the famine walk. It is called the famine walk due to the fact that the pathway was built during the famine 1845- 49 as relief work in the area and there is also a famine village close by where many of the local people perished during this period in Ireland.

Grade easy moderate Length 8 km, Duration: 2.5 – 3 hrs, Ascent: 120m, Terrain: Clear paths and tracks.

Mweelrea is the tough walk of the weekend and the highest in Connacht. We will start this walk from Silver Strand. Mweelrea consists of 5 peaks joined together with its highest point being at 814m. The Silver Strand approach is the safest way up this mountain and follows a river almost to its summit. It is a gradual but consistent climb upwards but we will take our time.

The views along the walk are stunning overlooking the coastline around you with views across Connemara, it’s surrounding islands and southern Mayo.

Grade Strenuous Length 10.8 km, Duration: 5 hrs, Ascent: 797m, Terrain: open mountain trails.

Walk on Omey Island – (This is tide dependent) – otherwise we will do a short walk closeby.

Omey is in Claddaghduff is accessible at low tide every day by crossing acres of firm sandy beach, either in a car or on foot.
Omey Island has a wealth of antiquities. The ruins of Teampaill Féichín (Feichin’s Church), a medieval church built on a 7th century Christian settlement lie close to the north coast. The church was covered in sand until 1981 and it is surrounded by the remains of a semi-sunken village that was wiped out during the Famine. St Feichin’s Holy Well can also be found to the west, just above a rocky inlet. The island is now largely abandoned, with some part-time residents during the summer months. It once supported a population of over four hundred souls. It is however the main burial ground for this region, utilizing an ancient burial ground associated with St Brendan.

Walk easy: Length 4 km, Duration: 2.5 hrs, Ascent: 50m, Terrain: sand, rock and grassland.

N.B. Ireland’s climate is of a moderate type and suited to walking all year round. Although it is quite changeable so starting a walk on a fine clear morning may not be the case for the afternoon.

• Hill walking Boots
• Walking Poles (if you use them)
• Rucksack for walks (25L)
• Walking Trousers (Not Jeans)
• Waterproofs (Just in Case)
• Leg Gaiters ( I would recommend leg gaiters for this weekend)
• Walking Socks
• Thermal top / T-shirt (Not Cotton)
• Sun Cream

We are staying at Leenane Hotel in Leenane.

• All bedrooms are en-suite with bath & shower, tea & coffee making facilities
• Bar and restaurant with seasonal & locally sourced food produce.
• Fresh breakfast with choices.
• Free Wifi is also available

Breakfasts: are included and there is a wide selection to choose from including a Full Irish, fruit, cereals etc.

Lunches for the walks: We can source our lunch for walks in local delis and shops enroute.

Evening Meal: An evening meal on day 1 is included in cost.

• Mweelrea is a tough walk and suitable fitness is required.
• All the walks are taken at a pace to suit the group.
• The groups can have a mixed level of fitness and age usually.
• If the weather is too bad on a certain day to do the suggested walk, then the guide will suggest an alternative one.
• The Guide will have the final say on the day of the chosen walk for the safety of the group.

A deposit of 10% is required to secure your booking.

The balance of the cost of your tour / walk is due not less than 6 weeks prior to scheduled departure.
If we do not receive this balance in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you in which case we shall retain your deposit.

• Loss of deposit applies for cancellations made 6 weeks or less in advance.
• Cancellation fee of 50% applies for cancellations made less than 2 weeks in advance.
• Cancellation fee of 100% applies for cancellations made less than 1 week in advance, or in case of no-show.