Including walks in the Irish Republic and in Northern Ireland, this countryside guide focuses on the mountainous coastal regions. Ireland is a country of unmatchable landscapes that never fail to give you a satisfying sense of discovery from the magnificently wooded Killarney lakeland to the stark moonscapes of the Burren, from the sheer cliffs, exposed headlands and sand-fringed coves of the indented west coast to the wild misty hills in Donegal, from the dazzling Giant's Causeway to secluded loughs hidden in turf-laden mountains.Steeped in legend and history, Ireland has cairns, stone circles, standing stones, ring-forts and countless burial sites, all testifying to diverse Neolithic cultures. These exciting archaeological finds will be special attractions on all your excursions.
The richness of Ireland is not only reflected in its varied landscapes, myth-drenched sites and historic monuments, but also in its picturesque villages, lively towns and snug pubs where all the locals meet.But most of all it is the people that really count. They really are friendlier, known for their hospitality, and rightly so their boundless warmth will make you want to return again and again. However you like to spend your holidays, Ireland offers something for everybody. With the help of this book, you can easily escape the crowds and discover the Emerald Isle at its best. Although walking is emphasised, the book also features a good number of car tours that will take you on voyages of discovery. Travelling in Ireland is full of unexpected moments to be savoured, so take your time and explore at leisure!
Best months for walking: May to September (but be prepared for showers, whatever the month!).
Where to Stay: this book covers such a wide area that most locations will only enable you to reach easily a few of the walks and for this reason a touring holiday, staying somewhere different every couple of days would enable you to sample a wide selection of walks. However, for a holiday of anything from three days up to a week, Killarney would be a good choice, offering car owners or hirers potentially up to half a dozen walks in south west Ireland.
14 car tours, 22 long and short walks, 30 picnic suggestions
136 pages + touring map, 23 large-scale maps scale 1:50,000
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