OT(?): Long hikes in Ireland

imported
#1

Hi Everyone,

This may be a bit off-topic, but there doesn’t seem to be a forum for “other” long-distance trails. Besides, I thru-hiked the AT in '03, so, there’s my tie in… :slight_smile:

Anyhow, I’m going to a friend’s wedding in Ireland in mid-May. I have a few (3, possibly 4) days to kill, and I thought it might be nice to do some hiking. My Lonely Planet guidebook has a list of some of Ireland’s long distance trails, and one, through The Burren, sound interesting, especially since it’s near where I’ll be (Shannon).

Unfortunately, the trail through the Burren is only 35k, which I could easily cover in a day. My question is this: are there any other long-distance trails not too far from the Shannon area? I understand that sleeping on the trail in IRE may be a little different than the AT, since “camping” doesn’t seem to be commonly allowed, but that shouldn’t be a problem (I’ll pay).

Doing a part of the Ulster Way seemed interesting, but ideally I’d like a trail (or series of trails) that put me back (or close to) where I started.

FYI, I pack light. I’m going to have to anyway, to get gear through customs.

Oh, also, where can I get trail maps for Ireland?

Thanks in advance!
Oreo (AT '03)

Oreo

#2

Hi Oreo, you might try and find a copy of “The Independent Walker’s Guide to Ireland”. You may also want to checkout www.irishwaymarkedways.ie/index. Waymarked Ways are what they call trails. This site has an overview and discription of most of the trails. And finally check in at one of the outfitters in Shannon and ask about hillwalking. Hillwalking being what they call hiking. Good luck and take rain gear.

Black Toe Bob

#3

Thanks for the pointers, BTB! Rain gear, no problem. After what I dealt with this summer, I think even three days of torrential downpour will be enjoyable.

Oreo

#4

I just got back from Britain. Didn’t get to do much hiking, but found that a lot of hiking goes on along what is called public footpaths. I saw a lot of dayhikers. Apparently many years ago the common folk demanded walking access across the large tracts of land owned by the landed gentry, and they received permission to cross using designated footpaths. Today these paths make up a vast network all across the countryside and you see “Public Footpath” signs along country roads where the trails intersect the roads. You can travel hundreds of miles on this network. There is a rule that says the path must be used once a year or the landowner can close it, so hiking clubs take one day a year and walk off all the trails at once! Very interesting to a Yank like me…

RockyTrail

#5

Oreo,

DO go to the Burren. It is excellent country – I was there one year early June with many gorgeous days. I don’t know much about the marked trail you mention, we (myself & a friend) just spent our days simply wandering, doing roadwalks or exploring side trails. Saw 16th-c. towerhouses, other ruins, wild irises, limestone hills, villages (Lisdoonvarna esp.) and Cliffs of Moher. There is lots to see and do off the beaten path, if that is your style.

For myself I lived in N. Ireland a short while and am still much intrigued by the Ulster Way. I would like to walk it someday. Some sections are more popular but as a whole I think U. Way is in a bit of crisis now – poorly maintained, lots of road walking, debate surrounding whether local governing assoc. will continue to support its full length. After our Burren excursion we took a bus Galway -> Belfast and it was slow, meandering, long stop-over in Sligo – definitely a full day of travel just one-way. So considering your circumstances and desire to stay close to Shannon, this could be more logistics than you want.

K. Glo

K. Glo

#6

Oreo I envy you.

Cliffs of Moher…yes.

If you can hop a ferry over to Wales try Offa’s Dyke…a man made structure built in about the 600’s by a Saxon king…basically is the border between Wales and England.

Offa’s Dyke is now essentially a hundred mile hiking trail through some of the most beautiful country in the world. Primitive camping is somewhat limited…but pubs and hostels provide cheap sleepover and food…and for the pubs…really good food…and beer if you partake.:cheers

Doc Holiday

#7

Hey Oreo, I spent dec. 02-dec.03 in ireland, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about that wonderful countryside. I did a three day bike tour of Connemara (74miles loop) which contains some astounding mountains, lakes, and sheep.

Close to Shannon is the Ring Of Kerry, not sure the mileage, but its said to be one of the most beautiful National Parks in Ireland.

Whatever you wind up doing, enjoy it and take lots of pictures!

Johnny Quest