The West of Ireland

We do not accept applicants on a first come, first served basis. Participants are chosen based on multiple factors in order to create a diverse group for each tour.

Once you submit your application, you will be added to our waitlist while your application is reviewed. All participants accepted to join the tour will be notified by email. We are unable to notify applicants by phone or text.

For applications received before January 31st, we will notify you the week of February 17th if you are accepted to join a tour. For applications received after January 31st, we will notify you within 10 days of receipt of your application if we are able to offer you a spot on the tour.

If you do not receive notification by email of your acceptance, you will remain on the waiting list in case a spot opens up. You will be notified if you are accepted, but not if you remain on the waitlist.

If at any time, you wish to withdraw your name from the waiting list, please notify the primary tour contact by email.

Total cost for the tour is $5900 USD per person for a shared room and $6500 USD for a private room.

The cost of the tour includes David’s services as leader and guide; all accommodations for seven nights; all breakfasts and either lunch or dinner each day; transportation in-country during the trip, pick up from Shannon Airport on the first afternoon of the tour, and return to Shannon airport the last morning the tour.

Not Included: Airfare to Ireland. Lunch or dinner each day, depending upon the day’s activities; private taxi service to/from Shannon Airport.

Most of our walks are through the limestone, wildflowers, and grasses of the Burren. Walking this landscape requires a high degree of attention and sure-footedness due to rocky, uneven ground and deep fissures in the stone that can turn an ankle in an instant.

Several of the walks last four or more hours in duration. While they are not strenuous in the traditional sense of steep and continuous elevation gain, we find that for some, the physical balance and stamina required in sustained walking over this rough terrain can be too difficult, especially if you have any challenges with balance or limitations of mobility with knees or hips.

Before applying for the tour, we ask that you be as realistic as possible in assessing your abilities in this regard.

Our lodgings are rustic, traditional cottages located throughout the village of Ballyvaughan, on the shores of Galway Bay. Each cottage holds four to six people with a living room and peat fire, a kitchen, one or two bathrooms and laundry facilities.

David’s morning talks occur in the staff cottage. Rooms are shared with one other person, with a limited number of private rooms available for a supplemental fee. Please note that we are not able to guarantee en suite bathrooms, even when we can grant a private room.

If, after acceptance, you need to withdraw your application before your final payment is due, Many Rivers will issue you a refund, minus $500 USD.

If you withdraw after the final payment, Many Rivers will issue you a refund, minus the full deposit of $2,500 USD per person, only if we are able to fill your spot.

ARRIVAL
Please time your flights to arrive at Shannon Airport in the West of Ireland by 2:00 PM (14:00 local time) on the first day of the tour. If you are arriving in Ireland before the the tour starts, you will arrange to either meet the group at Shannon Airport or make your own way to Ballyvaughan.

DEPARTURE
The minibuses will depart Ballyvaughan for Shannon Airport on the morning of the last day of the tour. Please schedule your departing flight no earlier than 8:30 AM, as the first minibus will arrive at Shannon Airport no earlier than 6:30 AM. If you need to depart earlier, please let us know, as this will require a taxi at an additional charge. We apologize that we are unable to transport people in the afternoon.

There is no wifi in the cottages. It is somewhat nomadically available at establishments in Ballyvaughan. There is a good signal for cellular services.

You are advised to bring at least $50 per day for a meal, drinks, etc. – more if you wish to buy local crafts and woolens, or if your appetites extend to the gourmet. The currency in Ireland is the euro. There is no ATM in Ballyvaughan, so it is best to withdraw money at Shannon Airport. Credit cards are accepted in most places.

Each participant needs a passport valid for six months beyond your departure date from Ireland.

We strongly advise participants to purchase travel insurance.