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      Family Adventure
      Paddling and Pirates

      2 review(s)

      Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

      From €2,910
      Good to go
      We are open for bookings and will be running holidays and trips from July 19th.

      We remain true to our values and will be reopening in a considered way, that respects each of you as individual travellers, while in equal measure respecting the communities that we visit.

      Travel Planning and Advice

      Trip created by Darragh Devaney
      View Darragh's Profile

      Region: West – Connemara, Burren & Aran Islands
      Trip Type: Family
      Comfort: Deluxe
      Deposit From €727.50 €727.50
      Difficulty: Your Own Pace

      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      Download Itinerary

      Awash in local myth and legend, Ireland’s dramatic west coast has been home to pirates, pilgrims – even St Patrick himself. Discover the wild landscapes, churning bays and windswept islands of Connemara with your whole family!

      On this family tour on the Wild Atlantic Way, uncover the geology, wildlife, history and culture of this fascinating region through a range of fully guided activities.

      Your personal guide will impart their local knowledge to ensure that your family gets the very best from their time in Ireland, learning through interaction with landscape and local people. Each evening, relax at fun, family-friendly accommodation with amenities for the whole family!

      This family tour on the Wild Atlantic Way is designed to suit children from 6-15 years old. Please note that depending on factors such as weather and  height of child, some activities may be restricted. This is a guided private departure and therefore the activities can be tailored to the needs and abilities of you and your children. This trip may be taken any time during the year (choose the dates best for your family), though please keep in mind that some of the activities may be modified in winter, especially the water sports.

      Trip Highlights

      • Enjoy a privately guided trip, with each activity tailored to match your family's preferences.
      • Island hop to the Pirate Queen's stronghold & try your hand at stand-up-paddling.
      • Learn bushcraft and seashore foraging skills.
      • Follow a pilgrimage path on horseback in St Patrick's footsteps.

      Did you know?


      This trip can be booked as a private departure


      Learn more

      Day by Day Itinerary

      Day 1 – Westport

      We meet in the lively town of Westport to begin our family tour on the Wild Atlantic Way. With its brightly coloured houses, craft shops, music-filled and family-friendly pubs and gourmet restaurants, it is a great place to begin your family adventure. Ask your guide about the Pirate Queen and the exciting history of the region as you explore this bustling town! (L,D)

      Day 2 – Bike the Greenway

      The Great Western Greenway is one of the longest off-road biking trails in Ireland. Following the route of a repurposed railway, it offers a completely car-free bike trail dipped in local legend. Along the way, as you take in the spectacular coastal and mountain views, your guide will point out interesting sights and recount both myth and history of the landscape you’re biking through. With the distance tailored to meet your family’s preferences, this is a great way to explore the Wild Atlantic Way. (B,L)

      Day 3 – Climb a Holy Mountain or Ride Along a Pilgrim’s Path

      Today there is a choice of activities. For energetic family members, we’ll climb to the summit of Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, awash with the story of St Patrick. For others, there’s the option to horseback ride along a trail known as St Patrick’s Walk to explore fascinating ancient sights from the saddle of your own horse. Alternatively, you may choose to spend the day at your own personal leisure. (B,L)

      Day 4 – A Pirate’s Island

      The wild north Atlantic coast of Ireland in the 16th century was ruled by a formidable Gaelic pirate queen, Grace O’Malley. The little-visited Clare Island guards the entrance to Clew Bay, her former stronghold. Explore the Pirate Queen’s castle, cliffs, beaches and ruins of this magical place – perhaps even taking part in a treasure hunt! Feeling adventurous? Today we’ll explore the Pirate Queen’s kingdom by water by learning how to paddle! (B,L)

      Day 5 – Zip Lining & Feeding Lambs

      Described by Oscar Wilde as ‘a savage beauty’, the spectacular wilderness of Connemara will be our home-sweet-home for the next few days. First stop? A tree high obstacle course where we can try zip-lining, clambering and swinging through the tree canopy! Then, we’ll visit a local sheep farmer to meet his clever sheepdogs herding sheep and help out with feeding the hungry lambs. (B,L)

      Day 6 – Bush Craft & Foraging the Seashore

      The Connemara coast is home to some of the most spectacular white sand beaches set with a backdrop of green sloped mountains and the rolling Atlantic. We’ll enjoy a gentle hike along the shore to learn some survival skills from your guide. Feeling adventurous anyone? We’ll get a chance to taste Ireland’s superfood – seaweed! Today’s a great day to take a dip in the Atlantic if you dare! (B,L,D)

      Day 7 ‐ Depart

      As our family tour on the Wild Atlantic Way comes to an end, we shall say goodbye to the wilds of Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way and transfer back to Galway Train Station. If you have time before departing, consider wandering Galway – a wonderful and historic city with plenty to see before saying a final farewell to the west coast of Ireland! (B)

      Download Itinerary

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      Family
      Paddling and Pirates

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

      Fields marked with * are mandatory

      The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter the best number to call you on.

      Book Now

      Price from: €2,910
      Duration: 7 Days 6 Nights

      What's Included

      Expand All
      Accommodation Read More

      This family trip features two accommodations chosen for their excellent location along the Wild Atlantic Way, their excellent service and renowned comfort. Both charming hotels are family-friendly and family-run, offering a range of child centred activities and services as well as activities adults will also appreciate!

      Every family is different, so please contact us in regards to accommodation. If one of your party specifically requires a single room, a single supplement charge of €250 (subject to availability) is applicable.

      Inclusions Read More
      • 6 nights’ accommodation in hand-picked family-friendly comfortable hotels and family-run guesthouses.
      • All breakfasts, lunches and 2 evening meals, on the first and last nights of the trip. (see in itinerary above B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
      • The services of a qualified Wilderness Ireland adventure guide throughout the trip.
      • All activities mentioned in the itinerary including:
        • 1 day’s bike hire
        • Horseback riding adventure
        • Paddling lesson
        • Zip-lining forest experience
        • Bushcraft & foraging experience
        • Sheep farm demo
        • Any entry fees as stated.
      • All transport throughout the trip from designated start and end points, including ferries/boat transfers.
      • Selection of tasty Irish snacks each day
      • Gratuities for all accommodation, included meals & activity providers, but not your Wilderness Ireland guide.
      Travel Read More

      You will be met by your Wilderness Ireland Guide at Westport Train Station at 1.00pm on Day 1 of your trip. You will be dropped of at Galway Train Station by 12.00pm on the last day of your trip.

      Photo Gallery

      Make This Trip Private

      Sometimes it's nice to get family and friends together and travel privately for some quality time. This means you benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides and we'll take care of it all. Then you can make your choice of departures dates and we'll get back to you to finalise the details.

      Speak to an Expert

      View Profile
      Darragh Devaney

      One of our team members, Darragh is Wilderness Ireland’s Operations Manager. As the team’s resident bike expert, Darragh has helped research, design and even guide nearly all of Wilderness Ireland’s bike trips. When not in the office, Darragh can usually be found exploring a little-known corner of Ireland on two wheels or camping in the countryside with his family.

      Ask Darragh a Question

      Difficulty Grades Explained

      With your own private guide, activities can be tailored to meet your family’s needs, preferences and expectations, and therefore this trip can be enjoyed at your own family’s pace.

      It is your responsibility to ensure you are appropriately fit and capable of doing the described hikes in the expected times. Please refer to the grading section on our website for more details. If you are unsure we encourage you to speak to us first.

      Trip Reviews

      Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 2 review(s) of Family Adventure – Paddling and Pirates

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      Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

      That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

      LS

      Lisa Sarfati

      Reviewed on 29/11/2018

      Age: 50 - 60
      Trip Date: 31/10/2018
      Trips Taken: 0

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      I would definitely recommend working with Wilderness Ireland for your next family vacation. Louise and Paul provided top-notch customer service from preparations to execution. If you're looking to truly see the beauty of Ireland in an active and fun way, I'd go with Wilderness Ireland. My hat goes off to you! Many thanks.

      Show More
      DN

      Don Nestor

      Reviewed on 24/09/2018

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      Absolutely incredible trip that caters to your family interests, desires, likes! Without hesitation, I would recommend this trip to other families.

      Show More

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