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The Trip

Join us as we explore the countryside, attempting to understand the myths and mystique of ancient Irish culture. Our journey is an opportunity to experience Ireland's diverse cultures -- both past and present -- and to gain historical perspective. The ancient sites we visit will stir your imagination, and what we learn about Ireland's folklore will whet your appetite for more. A visual feast awaits you as you take in the famous beauty of Ireland's rolling hills and magnificent sea cliffs. Our aim is to visit a minimum of two historical or archaeological sites each day, travelling in our own minibus. Our native Irish historian and naturalist will tell us about each site's historical and archaeological context as we explore the areas on foot. We will also discuss alternative views about some of the sites and monuments that include spiritual or magical elements. Other speakers may join us from time to time as well to talk about their research on myth and magic in Ireland. While we are primarily interested in ancient Ireland, there will also be commentary on other aspects of Irish history as well as current affairs.

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet at a hotel or other specified meeting place in Limerick. Here we'll board our minibus and travel to Killmurray to visit Craggaunowen, a prehistoric park and history center. We'll also visit the early Christian church at Kilfenora on our way to the town of Lisdoonvarna in County Clare, where we stay for two nights.

Day 2: Visits to Dysert O'Dea, an early Christian church, Round Tower, and ancient crosses with fascinating carvings are all on today's agenda. We will also visit Poll Na Bron, a majestic dolmen (stone table) set in the karst landscape of the Burren region of North Clare. The Burren is famous internationally for its beautiful, moonlike limestone landscapes, its rare plant species, and its rich archaeological heritage. We'll remain in Lisdoonvarna tonight.

Day 3: Today, we will take a ferry to the Aran Islands and visit Inishmore Island and visit Dun Aenghus, a pre-Celtic cliff-top dun (fort) in a spectacular location. We'll spend the night on the island.

Day 4: Proceeding to Galway, we will visit a medieval town with some remarkable old buildings. Folklore says Columbus visited here before he went in search of the Indian subcontinent and found America. We then go on to Cong, which is nestled on a narrow spit of land on the shores of Lough Corrib in south Mayo. En route, we'll visit Bally Macgibbon Cairn and learn of the Tuatha De Danaan who became the fairy people of Irish folklore. We will stay two nights in Cong.

Day 5: Today we'll visit the Nymphsfield stone circle and a prehistoric tomb. Also on our agenda is the Augustinian Abbey where the high kings of Connacht -- the most westerly of Ireland's four provinces -- are buried. Traditional Ireland is very much in evidence here and the scenery is spectacular.

Day 6: Moving on to North Mayo, we will see the Boheh Stone, where a magnificent Bronze Age carving tells the cycles of the year. We'll see Croagh Patrick ("Patrick's sacred mountain"), the focal point where pagan and Christian Ireland meet. We will stay in Newport for two nights.

Day 7: This morning we'll visit the National Museum at Turlough. Also on our itinerary is Rockfleet Castle, famous as the home of the 16th-century pirate queen Grace O'Malley. A colorful figure, Grace lived at the time when ancient Ireland became the Hidden Ireland, when its judges, poets, and organizers disappeared from public view and English common law prevailed.

Day 8: In North Mayo, we'll tour the Stone Age farms of Ceide fields, which are over 5,500 years old and a unique landscape of world importance. We will see magnificent sea cliffs and a wonderful, little-publicized court cairn called Sceir Tomb. Nearby is the geologically stunning Dun Briste sea stack where we'll learn about the mythological story of St. Patrick and Cromdubh, the pagan god. We will also visit the great standing stone of Doonfeeny. We'll stay the night near Killala, a picturesque seaside village famous in Irish history for the part it played in the 1798 rebellion.

Day 9: At Sligo, the largest town in the northwest, we'll climb Knocknarea to visit the tomb of Queen Maeve, warlike Queen of Connacht and demigod of the old religion. At 1,078 feet, it usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour of walking to reach the top of the cairn on Knocknarea's summit. We'll also visit some of the Carrowmore tombs, Europe's largest megalithic cemetery and tomb complex. We will lodge in Sligo for three nights.

Day 10: Just south of Sligo are the Bricklieves Mountains. With ancient stone cairns on their summits, they serve as constant reminders of ancient Ireland's abiding presence. Here we'll take an easy walk up to the Passage Tombs. We will also plan to visit the nearby Heapstone Cairn, the largest cairn in Ireland outside of the Boyne Valley, and Boyle Abbey, an impressive and well-preserved Cistercian Monastery.

Day 11: Today we will tour around Lough Erne and take a short boat trip to Devenish Island, which features an early Christian site with a round tower. We also hope to visit Boa Island and the Calderagh Celtic Stone before returning to Sligo.

Day 12: Leaving Sligo, we'll drive south to Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, called Ireland's "Valley of the Kings." The tombs here are older than the Egyptian pyramids or Stonehenge. This is Europe's largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art (Stone Age petroglyphs on very large stones). Newgrange has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. For many, it is the high point of a visit to Ireland. We overnight in Kells.

Day 13: Today we'll visit the Hills of Tara, one of the most venerated places in early Ireland. The remnants of royal enclosures, the Mound of the Hostages, a banquet hall, and the Lia Fall (Stone of Destiny) are all a testament to its importance as a seat of priest-kings going back to a time before Irish history came to be written. We will visit Monaster Brice (featuring two of the finest High Crosses in Ireland) and Mellifont Abbey (an Irish Cistercian monastery).

Day 14: Fourknocks, a passage chamber tomb, is the last of our planned stops. It is a wonderful megalith with fewer visitors than other locations we have visited, and is a more private place to bid each other "slan" and farewell. We will finish in Dublin with transport to the train or bus station.

This itinerary is subject to change if unforeseen conditions like weather or site closure prevent us from entering the areas. We'll make every effort to follow this format, and we usually see and do far more than is listed in the brochure.

Getting There

We will meet at a hotel or other location in Limerick. Either fly into Shannon, the closest international airport, or Dublin. There is bus service from Shannon into Limerick. You can also take a train or bus from Dublin. Airfare is NOT included in the cost of the trip.

Accommodations and Food

We will stay each night in bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and a few small hotels. Breakfast is served at most of the B&Bs. Lunches can be purchased in towns along our route or packed by the place we stay each night before our daily activities. Dinner will be in local pubs and restaurants. Vegetarians have fared well in the past. If you have very specific dietary needs, please inquire with the leader before signing up for the trip. Accommodations are shared with other participants -- two to a room. Single-supplement is available at extra cost to the participant.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is designed for people interested in moderately paced hiking. It is not designed to be a strenuous trip. There will be hikes each day, with most of them only a few miles in length. Climbing Knocknarea (1,078 feet) will be the most strenuous hike. It requires participants to be in fairly good condition and to able to walk up a hill that is around 1,000 feet without difficulty. Ireland has many rocky and uneven footpaths that have to be negotiated. Being in good physical condition will ensure that you have a wonderful trip.

Equipment and Clothing

Comfortable hiking clothing and good hiking shoes or boots are the standard attire. Good rain gear is also a necessity. Fashion statements are left to evening wear with just a few selected garments. Luggage will be transported in an enclosed trailer. It is requested that no more than one duffle and one small rolling bag accompany each person. A complete gear list will be provided to approved participants.

References

Books:

• Delaney, Frank, Ireland.
• Rutherfurd, Edward, Princes of Ireland.
• Cahill, Thomas, How the Irish Saved Civilization.
• McCaffrey, Carmel and Leo Eaton, In Search of Ancient Ireland.

Conservation

Ireland is an ancient land that has been stripped of its many forests. Frequent downpours keep water levels high, but weather conditions are beginning to change. Alongside agriculture and animal husbandry, oil fields have found their way into Ireland's homelands. Like the United States, Ireland faces a battle to preserve pristine lands. We will discuss how today's modern society is impacting the land in both countries.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

Leader:

Ian Schill is an avid hiker and outdoors enthusiast. He loves cycling and rides over 5000 miles each year. He has hiked in the Sierra every year for the last seven years. He has also enjoyed hiking in Ireland, England, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Switzerland and New Zealand. He leads local outings in the Cumberland chapter in Kentucky and internationally. He is a retired aircraft mechanic who volunteers with various civic organizations.

Email: ikcycles@bellsouth.net

Assistant Leader:

Kate Froman has enjoyed walking in England since she and her husband (they met on a Sierra Club knapsack trip) spent their honeymoon in Yorkshire. Kate loves clouds and likes the way the weather can change from sun to rain and back to sun in a matter of minutes. Kate leads hiking trips in Nepal and Bhutan and when at home, she makes quilts, tears up the garden (unless she is skiing) and makes great pesto.

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback