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Offshore Islands Explored
on our Guided Walks
Ireland Walk Hike Bike
PO BOX 372, Tralee
Co. Kerry,
Ireland
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Journey beyond Ireland's western shores and discover island life rooted in a mythical and literary past of strife and courage.
Time moves more slowly on an island, isolated from the mainland with fewer influences and foot traffic. In a sense, islands are conservancies and windows into the past – time capsules that ignite our imagination.
Ireland’s islands appeal to travellers who love nature and traditional Irish way of life. Experience a different perspective of Ireland, from ancient monastic sites and traditional Irish-speaking communities to awe-inspiring creations from both Mother Nature and man which stand the test of time.
Walk in the footsteps of icons from past and present, including Ireland’s Pirate Queen Gráinne O'Malley (Grace O’ Malley), clans from the Bronze and Iron Age, and now award-winning actors from The Banshee of Inisherin.
Past Traveler Feedback
I could not ask for a better first trip to Ireland. From the first moment we were well taken care of by our wonderful guide, Linda. It was clear from the beginning to end that the trip had been well thought out to the last detail. From the places we stayed to the beautiful hikes we took, I felt welcome and cared for. I fell in love with Ireland and can't wait to go on another hiking tour with Ireland Walk Hike Bike. We spent a week in County Donegal taking in the beautiful views from the cliffs to meeting the King of Tory Island. I highly recommend this company. They are the best!
PAST TRAVELLER
IWBH organized a walking holiday on the Kerry Way for us. We could not have been more satisfied with IWBH's organization, communication, responsiveness, and with the arrangements it made on our behalf. The staff at IWBH is friendly and delightful to work with. The trip went off without any hitches whatsoever. The accommodations were clean, comfortable and inviting. Every transfer, and every step of the itinerary, went smoothly. And, of course, the scenery, countryside, villages, historical sites, and pubs along the way were exactly as imagined. We would recommend IWBH to anyone interested in an Irish walking holiday and we will use IWBH again if we return for another one.
DAVID G.
A friend and I recently spent a week on the Dingle Guide Assisted Walk. It was a great experience and exceeded expectations in many ways. The scenery was wonderful and the flexibility of the walks was amazing! The trip is advertised as having 3 walking options each day but in fact there were many more than that. Our guide met us at key points along the way and offered lifts if we wanted. This was particularly appreciated on road walking sections where we took up the offer to get to the next off-road section. Our guide took great care of us - met us at the end of each walk and even walked up the trail to find us.
KAREN W.
I stumbled onto IWHB by chance over the internet. My first hike with them was an 8-day guided hike in Kerry, which was absolutely wonderful in every possible way. I was impressed out of my skull with how well-organized everything was and how knowledgeable the guide. I went on my second hike with IWHB two years later, this time on a self-guided one. The views were beautiful again (and the sheep, oh the sheep), and I was again as pleased as I could be: with the package they prepared for us and with the accommodations and the transfers. I will be coming back again and again.
HAGAR
Just got back form a great trip! Ireland Walk Hike and Bike is a service oriented touring company from the coordinator, Niamh, to our fantastic guide, Joe O'Donnell. They went out of their way on several occasions to assure we had the best walking tour of the Burren, Aran Islands and Connemara imaginable. The B&B's were perfect. Thank you to all!
DAVID D.
I wholeheartedly recommend this company and would go with them again without hesitation. Our guide, Margo, could not have been more perfect for our group of mature women intrepid walkers. The routes we took were stunningly beautiful and the Irish people could not have been more warm and welcoming. The accommodations were very comfortable and great locations for exploring after our day hikes. The meals were excellent – there is no scrimping, they took us to the best restaurants in town and we were always impressed with the food and the lovely company of Margo or being charmed by Maurice! Good to know for future reference is that the trips are all customizable, I would use this company for sure in the future to organize a trip for my local group. Can't wait to go back to Ireland!
NICOLE L.
Having watched many travelers flash through Ireland, founder Linda Woods wanted to provide a more slow-paced, immersive approach to experiencing the country. “My aim was to slow people down so that they could really sink their feet into the soul of the country, meet the locals and discover what makes Ireland and the Irish tick.”
Whether you're looking to walk, hike or bike, or a combination, our team of local travel specialists and guides are here to ensure that you have a most delightful and memorable trip to Ireland.
Irish Owned & Operated
27 Years in Business
Highly Knowledgeable Local Guides
5 Stars on Google Reviews
Excellent Customer Service
Quality, Boutique Accommodations
Foot Paths, Ancient Fortresses, Stone Walls & Banshees:
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Aran Islands
County Galway
Windswept and fascinating, the limestone isles of Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr are together known as the Aran Islands. Located west of Galway Bay, their wild and isolated location didn’t stop locals from putting their stamp on the world of literature, as well as producing widely-renowned, wool-knit sweaters. Rich in history and archeology, the Aran Islands are a focal point to discover the Irish Gaelic language and traditional Irish life.
Ancient sacred sites and ruins are a feature of the islands, with seven stone forts scattered across them. The most popular site is situated at Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór. This large and mysterious stone fort sits perched atop a 100-metre cliff overlooking the sea. Believed to date back to around 1000 BC, to this day its original function confounds archaeologists and geologists. On a clear morning or afternoon, it offers unrivalled views of the Galway and Clare coastlines and vistas even further inland, stretching as far as the Twelve Pins mountains. It offers a touch of movie magic too, as the site features in the motion picture The Banshee of Inisherin.
Less well known is The Black Fort (Dún Dúchathair), also on Inis Mór. This west facing promontory fort offers spectacular views of crashing Atlantic waves. Thought to be as old as Dún Aonghas, it gets its name from the peculiar black colour of the limestone on this part of the Aran Islands.
Following the trail from Dún Aonghas you reach The Serpents Lair, called Poll na bPeist in Irish and otherwise known as 'The Wormhole'. A popular spot for those brave enough to take a dip, this naturally occurring phenomenon looks like it was designed to swimming pool measurements! Channels running under The Wormhole connect it to the Atlantic Ocean. You might recognise it as the setting of a diving competition that went viral a few years ago, where divers took the plunge from rocky cliffs to the pool below.
Clare Island
County Mayo
Clare Island is the largest of Mayo's offshore islands, just 3.5 miles off the coast. It’s the perfect spot for beating crowds, as it doesn’t yet see many tourists. Punctuated by two large hills and bog terrain makes Clare a great destination for walking. The main harbour's sandy beach is perfect for a refreshing dip, where you might just see seabirds nesting here along the spectacular cliffs. Ireland's oldest fossil was discovered in the area in 1909.
Clare Island is famously the place where Ireland’s Pirate Queen, Gráinne O'Malley (Grace O’ Malley), grew up. Grace sailed the high seas and was known for her courage and fearlessness, leading men into battle. Her pirate clan were fierce defenders of their patch and refused to speak English. Legend has it the quick-witted and brave Grace refused to curtsey when she met Queen Elizabeth, as being a queen herself, she considered them equals. Clare Island is the former stronghold of the 16th century O’Malley clan. A restoration effort is in place to develop an interpretive center at the castle that was the seat of the O’Malley’s. One of the most popular figures in Irish legend, Grace’s body is buried at the Cistercian Abbey on the island, where she learned to read and write as a girl.
A sanctuary at the water’s edge, the lighthouse now provides a comfortable place to rest your feet. Luxury awaits in this unique setting, with a piano at the ready before continuing your hike to the highest part of the island. There you are rewarded with views as far as Croagh Patrick on the mainland and Slievemore on Achill.
HOW TO VISIT: Explore Inis Mor on our Guided Burren, Aran Islands & Connemara Hike.
I went on a guided 6-day walk of the Burren, Aran Islands and Connemara with my sister-in-law and two others. Our guide, Mary, was an energetic and knowledgeable Irishwoman with a wee bit of leprechaun in her I think! We had an amazing week which was highly organised so we never had to think about transport, food or accommodation and we were fortunate with some truly spectacular walking weather for almost all of the trip. The group consisted of people of all ages and walking abilities and Mary was able to cater for everyone and was charming enough to find free transport for those suffering from sore feet at the end of the day. For anyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful Irish scenery and not have to worry about the logistics this is a tour for you. I will surely be back to enjoy another walk on offer in the coming years. Great value for money.
LESLIE T.
Inishbofin Island
County Galway
Seven miles off the Connemara Coast is Inishbofin. A charming island, Inishbofin is lauded for its stunning beaches, seaside cliffs, historic sites, birdwatching and stunning Atlantic coastal scenery. Explore Inishbofin for unspoilt panoramic views and sightseeing you won’t get elsewhere. Home to less than 200 people, the island is the epitome of serenity and a welcome escape from the bustle of modern life.
The tranquillity wasn’t lost on past visitors, as Saint Colman, a monk who in 665, chose the location for the site of his monastery. The church and monastery ruins can still be seen on the island today. In Inishbofin, tradition is valued and culture is kept alive through farming and fishing practices, as well as Irish music by having its own Ceili band. This makes it a great place to visit to feel the warmth, atmosphere and vibrancy of Irish heritage and hospitality.
On the eastern side of the island, Cromwell’s fort stands at the entrance to Bofin Harbour. Built on the site of a previous fort called ‘Bosco’s Castle’, the site was once used to imprison clergy by Cromwellian forces determined to wipe out Catholicism on the island.
The island is a haven of music, stories and adventure at a slower pace than on the mainland. Discover numerous picturesque beaches and admire the island's dramatic geological formations of sea stacks, blowholes and seaside cliffs. Iron Age promontory forts dot the landscape along the islands 6km by 3 km coastline.
The name Inishbofin comes from the Irish Inis Bo Finne, meaning ‘Island of the White Cow’. There’s no shortage of cows and other wildlife on the island today! Inishbofin is a breeding area for many bird species, notably Terns, Lapwings, Choughs, Skylarks and the rare and threatened Corncake. Visit in spring to see lambs and butterflies thriving as the evenings begin to feel a delicious stretch. See the majestic seal colony at Stags Rock and discover the native wildflowers dotted around the island. It’s a wonderful spot to soak up the best nature has to offer while taking a guided walking tour.
HOW TO VISIT: Included on our Guided Wild Atlantic Way Hiking Tour, accessible by passenger ferry (30-minute crossing).
Achill Island
County Mayo
The largest of Ireland's islands with a population of just over 2,500, Achill Island attracts travellers looking for a healthy dose of the 'Wild West' of Ireland. Sweeping, pristine beaches – some of the best in Ireland – and magnificent mountains make for staggeringly beautiful natural scenery. Unsurprisingly, Achill Island is renowned throughout Europe and attracts photographers from around the world.
Discover one of Ireland’s most breathtaking coastal routes here. Equally chuffed are local sheep who frequently meander along its winding roads freely.
Achill Island's Croaghaun Cliffs are the highest sea cliffs in Western Europe. Measuring 688 metres, they’re 3 times higher than the Cliffs of Moher! As you traverse the island tapestries of serene moorlands, peat bogs and thatched cottages present a striking juxtaposition to the jagged rocky ledges and crashing surf below. Fields filled with heather and lush emerald grass contrast with blue ocean tourmaline and burnt orange sunsets for striking and unforgettable evenings at dusk. Nearby Corrymore Lake also served as a shooting location for The Banshee of Inisherin, an apt location for the home of the spooky character Mrs. McCormick.
For a sombre reminder of the island’s difficult past, the deserted village of Slievemore consists of 80-100 cottage ruins on the mountain-side. Stark against the barren landscape, they offer a glimpse into history. Nearby megalithic evidence suggests the area was inhabited from 5,000 years ago and up to the middle of the 19th century, which coincides with the Famine.
An Irish-speaking island, a trip to Achill is an immersion into Irish food, culture, landscape and (undoubtedly) ‘craic’!
HOW TO VISIT: Explore Achill Island on our Guided Wild Atlantic Way Hiking Tour.
HOW TO VISIT: Clare Island is included on our Guided Wild Atlantic Way Hiking Tour, accessible by passenger ferry from Roonagh Quay, west of Louisburgh (20-min crossing).
Islands Explored on our Guided Hikes