WALKING
BREAKS
Mid
Week walking break Mills Inn Ballyvourney
Suitable for those with previous hill-walking experience
The
Múscraí Gaeltacht village of Baile Bhúirne (Ballyvourney)
is nestled between St Gobnait’s wood and Cascade Wood and is surrounded
by the Derrynasaggart and Shehy mountains.
A Bi-lingual (English and Irish speaking) area, Ballyvourney was home
to poet Sean Ó Riordáin and is a sister village to Cúil
Aodha (Coolea) home place of celebrated Irish composer Sean Ó
Riada.
Tuesday
Arrive in Ballyvourney. Check-in from 3pm.
6.00 to 7.00pm: Introductory walk in the village.
Wednesday
Breakfast from 8am.
9.30am: Depart for the Gougane Barra Horseshoe hill-walk.
Climb high above St Finbarr’s 7th century lake island hermitage
where the river Lee begins its journey. Enjoy panoramic views of the
Lee Valley, the mountain ranges of West Cork and Kerry and Bantry Bay.
8.00pm: Group dinner at the Mills.
Thursday
Breakfast from 8am.
9.30am: Depart for The Paps hill-walk.
Climb the twin hills known locally as the Paps of Dana or Dhá
Chích Danann just over Kerry border.
These characteristically shaped hills have an ancient spiritual significance
and association with the Tuath de Danaan.
9.00pm: Music in the bar with Peadar Ó Riada, Connie Ó
Conaill and Eibhlín de Paor
Friday
Depart morning. Check out by 11am.
Cost
€242 includes 3B&B, 1D, 3 guided walks, 2 packed lunches, transport
to and from the walks and traditional music session.
Walking boots essential.
Feel
free to use your ‘cúpla focal’ (few words of Irish).
If you don’t have any Irish we’ll make sure you have a few
words before you leave!
Enquire about the walks
Booking your walking
break Click
here
Walking
Weekend break
Four Star Castle Hotel in Macroom
Walking
is the perfect way to explore The Lee Valley. Encircled by the Shehy,
Derrynasaggart and Boggeragh Mountains there is miles of wonderful walking
with stories to be told.
The
weekend will consist of three walks.
Friday
Arrive
Macroom.
8.00-9.00pm:
Introductory tour of Macroom by streetlight.
See where Art O’Leary met his love Eibhlín Dubh Ní
Chonaill and where William Penn lived.
Saturday
9.00 - 4.00pm: The Paps
This twin-peaked mountain is dedicated to the Tuatha de Danaan Goddess,
Dana or Anu and is a focal point of Celtic spirituality. This is a lovely
climb with ascent from 200m to 694m. 6-7 miles.
Sunday
9.00 - 12.00pm: A walking tour of the post glacial oak forest of the
Gearagh near Macroom town with information on its formation,
special habitat characteristics and human story.
Price 2B&B 1D, packed lunches, three guided walks and full use of
leisure centre from €189 pp
Enquire about the walks
Book
your walking break here
Catherine Ketch of Lee Valley Walking has been running guided tours
and walks in the Macroom area for the past ten years. A trained local
guide she has an MA in Geography as well as a keen interest in local
history and environment.
*
Routes may change due to weather conditions.
Lee
Valley Walking
Lee
Valley Walking organises relaxed hill and low-level walks for small
groups and the independent walker in the Lee Valley, Macroom and the
Múscraí Gaeltacht and walking trips to West Cork and Kerry.
Year
round programme of scheduled walks
Residents and visitors alike can choose from a year round programme
of scheduled hill-walks, low-level walks and visits to sites of heritage
interest.
A
programme of hill and low-level walks is available on alternate Sundays
year round. During May, June, July and August shorter walks take place
on Wednesday evenings in the Lee Valley, Macroom, Múscraí
Gaeltacht and generally in the Cork/Kerry border region.
Go
to current walks calendar
Guided
Walking service
A guiding service is available for visits to local heritage sites, half-day,
evening and full day walks. Walks are relaxed and informative on the heritage
of the area including the geography, environment, archaeology and history
as well as contemporary life in the locality.
Walking
weekends/holidays
Explore the Lee Valley area of West Cork in more depth with a series of
walks over a weekend break or a week long stay. Choose from an archaeological
or historical theme or mix a number of themes to get an overall picture
of the area.
Gift
service
If you have a friend who has expressed an interest in taking up walking
but simply hasn’t made the move, a gift voucher from Lee Valley
Walking may be just the spur they need to get them started. Lee Valley
Walking has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in which any new member
will feel at home. Gift vouchers are also ideal for lovers of Irish, who
can brush up on the language while walking.
Design
your own break in the Lee Valley......
If you
are a member of a walking group,a group of friends that enjoy the outdoors
or even an extended family and want to do something different on your
time off, why not consider truly exploring what is an undiscovered, unspoilt
and fascinating region in West Cork.
Simply
contact us, let us know what your interests are and we will give you a
number of options for your walking break. Together you can then choose
from a menu of attractions and activities to design your own guided walking
weekend/mid week walking break or walking holiday.
Finally you can choose your accommodation from our accommodation partners.
Simply check out the links page and see what appeals to you.
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