Pre-Trip Service
We received suggestions of where to stay in Galway, which was our destination after our Wilderness Ireland hike, and were also given good advice about train and bus connections. When the trip we signed up for was revised and reduced by one day, Wilderness Ireland gave us plenty of notice and also reduced the cost of the hike. Communication was always prompt.
Trip Comments
This was my first trip to Ireland and it was especially memorable due to our fabulous guide, Tom. We had some difficulties with lost luggage and a missed train connection that Tom and the Wilderness Ireland staff helped to resolve. Tom even drove the van to pick us up at a different train station when we missed our connection. The camaraderie of our small group of hikers was also a highlight with great conversation, jokes, stories, and even some music (Tom is a talented musician). Tome went out of his way to make sure we all had a good time. He took us to a few extra stops such as the Gallarus Oratory, a pub that featured live music, and he made some extra stops on the Conor Pass so we could take photos. Tom would go over each day's hike so we would know what to expect and was open to making adjustments dependi.ng on weather and our personal preferences (we skipped one museum, for example) Other highlights include the wonderful b&bs we stayed in. All of them had a view of the ocean and a copious "full Irish" breakfast. I also enjoyed the variety of restaurants for dinner that included some local pubs (with freshly caught fish featured on the menu) and a few upscale eateries. Lots of great photos and memories of my first visit to Ireland. I plan to return!
Accommodation & Food
The variety was very representative of Irish culture and the Dingle Peninsula with fabulous full Irish breakfasts featuring fresh seafood and incredible baked goods, local pubs, some of which included live music, and a few more upscale places. Enjoyed all of them!
Your Guide
Our guide Tom is what made our hike in Ireland so memorable. He took excellent care of us and went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed ourselves and that everything ran smoothly. The logistics (luggage transfer, van pick up, check in to our lodging, evening meals) were all very smooth, and the daily hikes included a few challenges, incredible vistas, and walks along the beach. His good humor, expertise, and patience were all greatly appreciated!
The Bottom Line
This guided hike was an incredible way to experience the Dingle Peninsula and to learn about Ireland. It was especially good for first time visitors like me. The hiking was rated "6" and our group could have gone for a more challenging hike. The Dingle Way includes too much road walking, in my view, but other than that, I highly recommend it.
