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    Family Adventure

    Deluxe Paddling & Pirates

    2 review(s)

    Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

    From: £3,080.00

    Travel Planning & Advice

    Book With Confidence

    Trip created by Darragh Devaney
    View Darragh's Profile

    Region: West – Connemara, Burren & Aran Islands
    Trip Type: Family
    Accommodation: Deluxe
    Deposit From: £770

    Grading: Your Own Pace

    Carbon Footprint: 147kg ? What does this mean?
    Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

    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 the landscape and local people. Each evening, relax in fun, family-friendly accommodations 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 paddling.
    • Follow a pilgrimage path on horseback in St Patrick's footsteps.

    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 the longest off-road, car-free hiking and biking trail in Ireland. It follows the route of an old railway to a hauntingly beautiful island and offers spectacular coastal and mountain views. Along the way, your guide will point out interesting sights and recount tales of the landscape that you’re biking through. The day’s biking distance can be tailored to suit your family, with longer options for fitter groups as well as the option of an electric bike* for anyone wishing for an extra push up those gentle hills! (B, L)

    *E-bike upgrade available at an additional cost, depending on availability.

    Day 3 – Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain

    Today you’ll enjoy a tailored day of hiking to explore Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. The tradition of pilgrimage up this mountain stretches back over 5,000 years from the Stone Age to the present day. Each July, some devout pilgrims even make the hike barefoot. Your guide will tailor a hike suited to your family’s ability from a short but beautiful heather-clad loop of the mountain’s base to summiting via the pilgrim’s path – or of course alternatively, spend the day at your own personal leisure. (B, L) 

    Day 4 – A Pirate’s Island & Scavenger Hunt

    In the 16th century, the northwestern coast was ruled by a formidable Gaelic pirate queen, Grace O’Malley. Irish legends immortalise Grace as a courageous heroine, but to the English, who controlled Ireland at the time, she was considered a thieving pirate. In any case, her exploits are legendary. We’ll visit her seat of power, a castle tower on Clare Island. Boating across to the island, we’ll explore the island on foot, visiting her castle and tomb, as well as an abbey distinguished for its well-preserved medieval roof and wall paintings. You’ll get the chance to really uncover the flora, fauna and history of the island with our coastal scavenger hunt – fun for the whole family! (B, L)

    Day 5 – Connemara High Ropes & Feed the Lambs

    Today, we pack up and travel south to Connemara. Described by Oscar Wilde as ‘a savage beauty,’ the spectacular wilderness of Connemara is where we shall spend the next few days adventuring. Our first stop is a tree-high obstacle course where we can try our hand at high ropes and clambering and swinging through the tree canopy, trying not to look down at the ground below. We will then visit a local sheep farmer to see his clever sheepdogs and learn how they herd the sheep. If we’re lucky, we may be able to help out with feeding the adorable hungry lambs. (B, L) 

    Day 6 – Paddling in Connemara

    The Connemara coast is home to some of the most spectacular white sand beaches set with a backdrop of green sloped mountains and the crashing Atlantic. After a leisurely morning, we shall enjoy a paddle by kayak or stand-up paddle-board along the shore where you’ll get the opportunity to get up close and personal with marine wildlife from seabirds to seals. Today is also a great day to take a refreshing dip in the wild Atlantic Ocean. (B, L, D) 

    Day 7 - Depart

    This morning we shall say goodbye to the wilds of Connemara and drop you off at a destination of your choice. If you’d like to extend your stay, this is a great chance to explore colourful Galway before leaving the wild western coast of Ireland and hopping on a train back to Dublin! (B)

    X
    Family
    Paddling & 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 your telephone number including the country code.

    Book Now

    Price from: €3,080
    Duration: 7 Days 6 Nights

    Trip Details

    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 that adults will also appreciate!

    Every family is different, so please contact us in regards to accommodation.

    Representative pricing for this trip is based on a family of 4 adults and 2 children under 12 years old sharing one classic family room. The exact final cost and rooming configuration will depend on your family’s specific needs as well as hotel room availability at the time of booking. Your adventure consultant will discuss your preferred rooming set-up and available options with you.

    Meals Read More

    Each morning, enjoy a homemade breakfast of your choice at your accommodation. Lunch will be taken in cafes or a Wilderness Picnic along your route. Throughout the day, your guide will provide water and tasty, Irish snacks. Evening meals are included as stated in the itinerary. For all other evenings, your Wilderness Guide can provide expert recommendations or you can dine in at your lodging.

    Inclusions Read More

    This trip includes the following:

    • 6 nights accommodation in hand-picked, family-run guesthouses, B&Bs & boutique hotels
    • Most meals, incl. all Breakfasts, Lunches on Days 1-6, and Dinner on Day 1 and Day 6 (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver throughout
    • All transport throughout the trip
    • Activities stated in the itinerary

    This trip includes all accommodation, guiding and travel, as well as most meals. It does not include drinks or gratuity for your Wilderness Guide

    Trip Grading Read More

    At Your Own Pace

    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.

    Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

    Arrival

    Your guide will meet you at your choice of Westport Train Station, Dublin or Shannon Airport on day one of your trip.

    Departure

    You will be returned to Galway Train Station on the final day of your trip or to a finish point of your choice.

    Photo Gallery

    Make This Trip Private

    Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

    Speak to an Expert

    Louise Kavanagh

    From scuba diving to motorbikes to hiking, Louise is no stranger to adventure! Born and raised in County Sligo, Louise has a love for Ireland’s West Coast u2013 particularly the northwest. Louise is one of the team’s expert trip designers and ready to help you explore Ireland’s wild places. When not at work, Louise can usually be found underwater exploring Ireland’s unique coastlines or else zipping through the countryside on her motorbike.

    Ask Louise 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 Deluxe Family Adventure – Paddling & 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.

    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.

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