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Backpacking the West of Ireland

  • 04-10-2010 6:52pm
    #1
    cocoshovel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,041 ✭✭✭


    Hey all. I posted this in Student and youth Travel about 2 weeks ago but got no replies so Im hoping this board may be more suited for this. /paste

    Hey there. So I have an idea for next summer. Which is to back pack the west of Ireland. Ive lived down here in the south east and have never been to the west, and I figured it would be pretty bad of me to be Irish and have never visited. Besides it really does seem like an awesome place and we all hear so much about it. When I say the west I mainly mean Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands and The Burren.

    What my plan is,

    Day1

    To head down to get the bus from Waterford city early in the morning to Limerick city. When I get to Limerick (might see if there is anything to do there later) I will take a bus to Galway city. Explore the town a bit, and head to one of the Aran Islands if I have time. Explore on foot/bike the island for a few hours. and come back to Galway. Im sure I could find a cheap (not expecting anything cheap in this country to be honest) hostel or b&b to stay in for the night. and go to the pub etc.

    Day2

    Somehow get to the Cliffs of moher, by bus/taxi/bike if I have to. Walk along the cliffs, enjoying their beauty and the awesome nature and scenery. The walk I have in mind may be from Hags head to O'briens tower. Maybe a shorter one seeing as thats 8km, and I'm unsure if that will take too long or what?


    Day 3

    Visit the Burren, long hike amongst the limestone and check out some things there. Head back to Galway city and get a boat tour along the Cliffs of moher so I can check em out from sea level. Maybe visit another one of the Aran Islands?

    Thats just a quick Idea of what I have in mind. I will probably change the order I will do these and I'm sure I will find other things to do too.
    Either way I'm hoping to spend about 3-5 days checking out the region.

    Im just a bit concerned about the price. Do you think it will be expensive? How much should I bring for the duration and how much would the prices of average things cost i.e room to sleep in. Food. Boats etc. €200-€300?
    Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should see and bring with me. Things I should be wary of? Im assuming the countryside is pretty safe but how is Galway city? Maybe Im just too catious but I wouldnt feel very safe walking around Waterford city at night on my own. Which leads me to wonder about Galway.

    Also what do you think the best month to go in would be. Im thinking Late June. Seems the weather is always ok around that time in the South west at least.

    Any input would be appreciated biggrin.gif


Comments

  • #2
    duckysauce
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,930 ✭✭✭duckysauce


    hire a car and camp


  • #3
    cocoshovel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,041 ✭✭✭cocoshovel


    duckysauce wrote: »
    hire a car and camp

    I almost would if I have my full license by then. But having a car kind of takes the fun and adventure away from back packing, no?


  • #4
    wow sierra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,085 ✭✭✭wow sierra


    I'm not sure if you have a particular reason to go to Galway city - if you just want to see Clare then why not actually stay there -somewhere like Ballyvaughan would probably be ok for The Burren.

    If you plan to go to Aran Islands you could do it from Clare if you want to see Cliffs of Moher from the sea. You can take a boat from Doolin to Inis Oirr and there will be a great view of the Cliffs from the sea - which means you don't have to take a special boat trip for this. Shorter trip than from Galway. I'm pretty sure there is a hostel in Doolin so you could spend one night there and there is usually great trad music there. Or there is a hostel on Inis Oirr and you can stay there overnight and get a boat from there to Inis Meain and hike around there.

    If you want a City or big town experience just stay in Ennis or Limerick - you could get a taxi from Limerick to Bunratty if you fancy seeing that. Anyway you have your whole life to see the west of Ireland - don't try to pack too much in.


  • #5
    catbear
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,092 ✭✭✭catbear


    If you're going to be hiking anyway then get a light weight tent and camp between towns in the burren. It's pretty secluded so you should be safe. You should get away with a two season sleeping bag. Save the money you'd spend on accommodation and have good meals everyday. Practice walking a few Km with backpack with gear inside for a month or so before you head off and you should be ready for 10km or more hiking a day.


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