Connemara

Connemaras History - Hidden from the Rest of
the World

This wild and spectacular landscape
is yours to explore

Lough Awee

Maumeenmaunragh Lough seen from the
Mountain Road

Lough Apheebra with the Twelve Bens in
the oistance

The only other living you will share this
wilderness with

Ireland is world famous for its beautiful scenery and friendly people. The Irish people are charming and easy going. The fun, or craic as it is known here, in the pubs at night is ledgendary, tales are told and songs sung and everyone is made to feel welcome. After a holiday here you will never want to leave Ireland. We see many sad faces when the holiday is over and it is time to return home. Ireland, once experienced is never forgotten.

Connemara, the very western tip of Ireland is a paradise for walkers, who will be inspired by the wild beauty and tranquillity that is to be found here. It is a timeless and dramatic landscape of rugged, boggy mountains, rocky outcrops adorned with shimmering silver lakes and fast flowing streams beneath the mysterious and beautiful light of an enormous sky.

The Connemara Walking Trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the landscape of this spectacular area in a beautiful tract of private land filled with history and spectacular views that will delight the walker. The Connemara Walking Trail is for those who savour isolation and want to get away from well-trodden footpaths. Although we are alone in the mountains the remains of a long forgotten human presence is in evidence for us to explore and marvel at. The long hard walk to the uppermost reaches of the trail is rewarded by the most awe-inspiring views. At the top, the sea can be seen both to the west and to the east and in the distance the famous Connemara mountain range, The Twelve Bens brood over a landscape that seems to go on forever.

MONDAY
This walk begins at the Connemara Natural Park, Maam Cross, where a solid pathway traverses the bog land allowing the walker to get an in-depth view of the flowers and fauna of this unique landscape. After spending the morning on this relaxing walk we break for lunch at Peacockes hotel. In the afternoon we walk from Maam Cross along a mountain track that takes us right through the heart of Shannavara and Knockadav, walking right along the shores of Lough Shannawinnia and Lough Invernagleragh before we emerge back into civilisation close to the pretty village of Rosmuc.

TUESDAY
Our second day of walking begins at the village of Derryrush where we follow the course of a mountain stream onto Willie's mountain. We stop to eat lunch at the highest point of the mountain, which affords glorious views of the sea, which surrounds us on three sides. From here we begin to descend passing a mass rock where the surrounding population once celebrated mass in the days of the reformation. Still descending we follow another stream that falls into the breathtaking Lough Awee and then on along a mountain track, a marvel of man against nature, past a ruined farmhouse where the evidence of the vanished population can still be seen before finishing our days walking close to Glinsk.

WEDNESDAY
The third day of walking takes us deep into the heart of the landscape of Willie's mountain. We start the foot of the mountain and follow the track to the ruined farmhouse where we break for lunch. Then we leave the track and walk high up onto Cnoc Mordain. On the top of the hill we stop to admire Lough Nabrocky, a lake, 216m above sea level. Here we have a spectacular view of the sea beyond Carna and out towards Roundstone. From here we cross the mountaintops until we meet a stream that feeds Maumeenmaunragh Lough. We follow this down to the lough and then pass between this and Lough Awee through forestry and bog land past more hidden loughs to finish the days walking again close to Glinsk.

THURSDAY
On day four we explore Shannadonnell, where we see ruined places where long forgotten civilisation stored their supply of illegal poteen. Our starting point is a mountain track, which leads on a gentle ascent to the ruined farmhouse overlooking Lough Apheebera. The farm walls and the lazy beds where they grew their potatoes still remain. Here we pass the ruined cottage that was once home to the farm herdsman, before ascending Shannadonnell, from the summit we can view the spectacular landscape that we will be exploring for the next few days. We break for lunch beside Lough Pibrum before continuing along old bog roads and across the mountain until we reach the road close to Kilkieran.

FRIDAY
On day five we begin back at Maam Cross and head away from the coast inland to Lough Corrib, one of the largest and most spectacular loughs in Ireland. It is said that the lake has as many islands in it as there are days of the year. We pass along the old railway line that was once the main route from Galway to Clifden and which is now dismantled. Then we walk through the mountains above Maam Pass until we emerge at the top and descend towards Lough Corrib with a spectacular castle sited on an island in the lough ahead of us. We finish the day back at Maam Cross.

SATURDAY
Day six is an optional days walking. Here, inland from Connemara is the chance to explore a completely different but nevertheless beautiful landscape. The day is spent at Dartfield horse museum and park, a 350 acre farm which is home to horses, cattle, sheep and also a herd of deer. Here there is a chance to explore the horse museum, which has restaurants and shops, and then walk in the surrounding landscape.

The walks are through rough mountain terrain and are of approximately four hours duration. The walks can be strenuous, but there is nothing that a person of average fitness could not cope with. Because of the glorious views we walk steadily to allow everyone to take in the splendours of the surroundings.

It can be very cold on the mountaintops and higher ground, so you will need clothing that is warm, water and wind proof clothing. Wear something that easy to take off and put on as you ascend and descend. When wet, the mountain terrain can be very slippery so waterproof boots are needed preferably with ankle support.

For those not wishing to walk Connemara has a wide range of tourist sites to visit along with the beautiful town of Clifden, the capital of Connemara. Golfing, fishing and pony trekking are also available nearby.

COST
Walkers stay in either bed and breakfast or in three to four star hotel accommodation

6 days walking with bed and breakfast accommodation which includes lunch and an evening meal and all transfers during the holiday £450.00 per person. Single room supplement £50.00

6 days walking with hotel accommodation which includes lunch and evening meals and all transfers during the holiday £570.00 per person. Single room supplement £90.00

for 5 days which does not include the option of the Dartfield day bed and breakfast accommodation £375.00 per person. Single room supplement £40.00 hotel accommodation £475.00 per person. Single room supplement £80.00

Accomodation is based on persons sharing. Please advise if you require double, twin or single room. Please note that single room accommodation is not always available.

The walking trail departs weekly every Monday throughout the year

INFORMATION
From Dublin you can easily reach Galway by train or coach, or if you fly into Shannon Airport take the Airport coach to Galway or alternatively fly directly into Galway.

From Galway take a coach, these depart from the railway station, for Clifden and stop at Maam Cross. Alternatively hire a car and follow the signs for Clifden, Maam Cross is approximately 45 minutes from Galway. There is a hotel at Maam Cross, Peacockes should you need accommodation for the night. The telephone number is 091 552306.

BOOKING
Please use the booking form for the walking trail. Or alternatively telephone 091 841216.
A deposit of £250 per person must be received before any booking can be confirmed.
Cheques should be made out to Mr. William Leahy. The balance should be paid three weeks before the start of the holiday.

However, we can usually accommodate walkers who want to do the trail for a few days or the week and pay as they arrive, but please telephone first to arrange this.

CANCELLATION
In the event of a cancellation the deposit will be retained by the Connemara Trail and the balance refunded to the client. We reserve the right to change any detail without prior notice.

Aille Cross Equestrian Centre Connemara Trails Loughrea, Co. Galway Ireland
Tel. No.	091 841216
Fax No.	091 842363
From Europe:
Tel. No.	00353 91 841216
Fax No.	00353 91 842363
From U.S. and Canada:
Tel. No.	011 353 91 841216
Fax No.	011 353 91 842363

Aille Cross is a member of the Horse Riding Ireland Marketing Association