West Coast of Ireland

Sunday | Check-in at the airport at 1330 hrs (1.30p.m) for the Ryanair flight to Shannon departing at 1530hrs.  On arrival, meet up with our representative at Shannon airport and drive to the Westport B&B for room check-in and dinner (optional).

Monday | After breakfast, start the day with a visit to the Doolough Valley Famine Memorial. This stone memorial, in the form of a simple stone cross was erected in memory of the victims of the famine in this area. Next stop is at the stunning Aasleagh Falls, a picturesque waterfall located on the River Erriff near Killary Harbour. Killary Fjord dramatically surrounded by mountains that rise steeply from the water’s edge stretches 16 kilometres inland to the picturesque village of Leenaun.  Here we shall visit the Sheep & Wool Centre. We then proceed to Kylemore Abbey, originally built as a castle in 1867, Kylemore Abbey and the surrounding mountains and lakes are steeped in history. Next stop will be the Connemara National Park which features over 2000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands and forests.  Optional 1 hour trek to truly appreciate its beauty.

Tuesday | Today, after breakfast you shall visit the National Museum of Country Life in Castlebar, an award-winning museum all about discovering the story of Irish country life between 1850 and 1950. We then visit Newport, a heritage town at the heart of the Great Western Greenway. Finally we visit Achill Island which enjoys great scenery full of incredible beaches amidst magnificent mountain landscape.

Wednesday  | After breakfast we shall begin the day with a visit to the pretty village of Cong, where the 1952 Oscar-winning movie, The Quiet Man, was filmed. Proceed to Knock Marian Shrine, one of the few Marian sites recognized by the Vatican. We shall then visit the charming Ballintubber Abbey, founded in 1216 by King Cathal Crovderg O’Connor. This is one of the oldest abbeys in Ireland and is also the place where actor Pierce Brosnan got married.

Thursday | Today we shall visit Foxford Woollen Mills and Factory Outlet located in the small but picturesque town of Foxford, County Mayo. After we then visit Rosserk Abbey, a national monument and a preserved Franciscan friary. We shall then enjoy a visit of Killala, a picturesque seaside village and whose skyline is dominated by a 12th century round tower. We then visit the magnificent heritage site of Downpatrick Head, a place of spectacular scenic and geological importance and is one of the noted locations on the West of Ireland’s world renowned “Wild Atlantic Way”. The sea stack is one of the most photographed cliff areas in Ireland.

Friday | After your final breakfast and room check-out we head to Galway City. Besides being a popular seaside destination Galway is also a thriving and cosmopolitan city centre.  It is always a joy to explore with its wonderful, cobbled streets, colourful shop facades and offbeat café/bar culture. You may wish to visit the Galway City Museum followed by a stroll by the Spanish Arch. After enough free time we shall then transfer to Shannon Airport for our flight departing at 8pm.  Arrival in Malta should be at 0045 hrs (early Saturday).