Forest Hill Walk Club’s 10th Anniversary
Magical Ireland Hiking Holiday June 12-23, 2018
Welcome to the Forest Hill Walk Club’s Ireland vacation! A magical trip to Ireland especially designed for the Forest Hill Walk Club by ‘Away A Wee Walk.’ All is welcomed.
Stunning Hikes . Breathtaking Views . Award Winning Ashford Castle Stay . Ancient Sites . Irish Dancing . Local Culture . Irish Villages . Historical Information . Fun Activities . And More
Introductory Webinar & Powerpoint Presentation on the Ireland Holiday click here or paste https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-RNCSgz8EbpLXItNUNPdy1LV3c/view in your url web browser. (April 30, 2017)
CLICK HERE FOR THE TRIP DETAILS/FULL ITINERARY (PDF).
Ireland Vacation, Memories for a Lifetime
In June 2018 and to experience this beautiful landscape, we are planning our adventure with a maximum of 18 people and not a 50 seater coach, so we can explore areas where coaches and large groups cannot reach. View the FULL ITINERARY above for full details. You will find FAQs listed below.
Eimear Flanagan of Away A Wee Walk will be our trip specialist, planner, and guide for the entire trip. Contact Eimear with any questions www.AwayAWeeWalk.com +44 78 3770 3643 and eimear@awayaweewalk.com. Together, Cheryl and Eimear will be working on providing an unique getaway including several hikes, several sights and staying in small locals hotels. Did I mention staying at an ancient castle?
This vacation is being created with a small group in mind so we can experience hikes off the beaten path, authentic pubs with real local music and food, ancient sites, family owned hotels that cannot accommodate large groups. Check out these best of the best hikes and sites to see.
Ireland Hikes
1) Glendalough just south of Dublin, Wicklow Round Tower which stands 30m high
2) Mourne Mountains
3) Causeway Coast – the amazing Giant’s Causeway UNESCO site and a 19th century ‘Clachan’
4) Kilkenny river walk
5) Connemara – we can likely do other activities in Connemara like kayaking, speed boating, hiking and horseback riding…people choose
6) Cliffs of Moher
7) Dingle Peninsula
8) Stretch breaks and small hikes in Irish Cities and Villages
Lonely Planet, biggest travel guide in the world, has announced that Belfast and the Causeway Coast wins the #1 best region to visit in 2018…and we are already booked to go! Short video and articles here
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/northern-ireland/belfast-the-causeway-coast
Ireland is also the front page top article this day on Lonely Planet highlighting Ireland cities Dublin and Belfast :
Irish Sights
1) Dublin city – Guinness Storehouse, city tour, etc.
2) Belfast City – Titanic Belfast (*Voted The Best European Attraction in 2016), city tour, Peace Walls and Murals – great history on the troubles from 1969 to early 1990’s.
3) Derry – city walls built in 1600’s.
4) Sligo – W B Yeats’ grave.
5) Knowth – world heritage site, and Eimear’s favourite attraction in Ireland. An ancient burial chamber that allows light in on the winter solstice – older than Stonehenge in England and the pyramids in Egypt.
6) Blasket Island Interpretive Centre.
7) Cashel – Rock of Cashel
8) Kilkenny – beautiful and very traditional style Irish town
Award Winning Ashford Castle circa 1228
Ashford Castle…visited by many famous people. Once owned by the Guinness family. Beautiful Estate Gardens. Oscar winning movie ‘The Quiet Man‘ starring John Wayne was filmed there. Much fun rich history to learn in Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can go on this vacation?
The seats are open to all and not just for the members of the Forest Hill Walk Club, their family and friends. The Forest Hill Walk Club surely heard about it first hence the bus in almost half full.
How many days is the vacation?
12 days, 11 nights
Where will we be hiking in Ireland?
See PDF presentation above for holiday information, hiking details, map and costs.
How long will the hikes be? 
This is going to be a reasonable hiking trip which means most hikes will be between 1 to 3 hours (3-8 kms) and we plan on having 6-7 hikes during the 12 days with smaller town walks to stretch our legs and venture through the Irish villages.
How much is this holiday going to cost?
The price will be less than $3,549* Cdn per person based on shared accommodation which includes accommodation, all breakfasts, two dinners and two lunches, dedicated driver and new bus for transportation, hikes and walks, sights and tours, etc. Single occupancy is available $3,931 Cdn. This is land only so everyone will manage their own flights. This gives everyone the flexibility to come and go from Ireland as they wish as they may wish to stay longer or travel elsewhere.
Does this Ireland holiday include airfare?
No. You arrange your own airfare and the dates and times that best work for you. This gives everyone the flexibility and how most travel companies are working these days. Some might want to stay longer. Others might want to book their airfare using points.
Can I invite my friend or spouse?
Yes. Anyone can invite the family and/or friends. This holiday will be on a first come basis. Bookings are managed by Eimear Flanagan of Away A Wee Walk.
Where will we be staying?
Very good question. The plan is to stay one night in an award winning ancient castle, Ashford Castle (circa 1228, 5* accommodations). The likes of John Wayne, Woody Allen, Brad Pitt and Jack Nicholson has stayed there. See above PDF for hotels and pictures. The castle stay is 1/5 of the trip cost but a highlight of the trip with the arrangement to spend the maximum time there. Plus there is a surprise when we arrive!
Do I have to share a room?
No. The cost will be adjusted up for the single accommodation (see above PDF for single supplement).
What if I don’t want to pay the single supplement. Will there be an opportunity to share a room?
Yes. If you don’t know someone going there will be opportunities to share with other hikers travelling by themselves…including me. This will come together as the trip is booking up. I will be sending out a questionnaire to the hikers to make this holiday the best it can be.
Is there a washroom on the bus?
No. The bus rides are not all day and there will be plenty of places to stop at including our hikes and sites. On the good side, having a washroom on the bus can be a smelly affair.
Will there be a suggested packing list?
Yes. Plan on it! In order to assure a comfortable trip, the preparation and packing is important. There will also be a reading list too.
Will this be a fragrance free holiday?
Yes. Some that are travelling are very sensitive to the point migraines occur. Plan to pack fragrance free products (i.e. shampoo, face and skin creams, etc.)
Should I purchase trip cancellation insurance?
See presentation as to what is covered by Away A Wee Walk. Not all is covered such as if there is something that happens and you cannot travel.
What if I have other questions?
Contact eimear@awayaweewalk.com with any questions or comments.
Those people who are signed-up for this vacation will be put on an email list for ongoing updates, etc. This page is an introduction only.