UP TO 5 PEOPLE
FULL DAY
LIMO SERVICEMayo is the third largest county in Ireland and there are many sights to see. We will visit some of the places with the most stimulating stories and the most spectacular scenery. South Mayo is a rugged landscape and life was hard for the tenant farmers and fishermen who occupied this land. Many of the tales tell of hardship and hunger particularly during the Great Famine in the 1840’s when more than one million people died of disease and starvation. However the ruggedness of the land can also mean magnificent landscapes and beautiful scenery. There will be lots of opportunities for you to take great photos that you can share with your friends and family back home.
History, Heritage, & Spectacular Scenery.
Featured on this tour
Westport
The wonderful town of Westport has won the competition for Ireland’s tidiest town on numerous occasions. The town was founded in the 1780’s for the workers on the local estate. It is a beautiful town located on the end of Clew Bay which is said to have 365 islands. The town is dominated by Croagh Patrick, a 765m mountain where St Patrick is said to have fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.
Famine Sculpture
The population of Ireland in the 1840’s was more than 8 million. Many of these people were tenant farmers surviving on the potato crop. In 1845 a blight arrived to damage and ultimately destroy the crop resulting in the Great Famine. Within five years one million people had died and more than one million had emigrated. This artwork captures the horror of the ‘coffin ships’ on which many of the emigrants died.
Doolough Valley
Located between the Mweelrea Mountains and the Sheefry Hills this beautiful valley was created during the ice age. The deserted valley has two lakes which make it an extremely beautiful landscape. This is one of many opportunities for some great wilderness photos. The valley however has a sad story in which a number of people died of starvation during a journey to look for food during the Great Famine.
Leenaun
This village is located at the top of Ireland’s only fjord. It was created by a glacier during the last ice age 10,000 years ago and is dominated by high mountains on both sides. The fjord is 16km long and up to 40m deep. It was used for shelter by German submarines during the second world war.
Cong
This quaint village is the location of the magnificent Ashford Castle once owned by the Guinness family. However it is best known for the filming of the Quiet Man. The film directed by John Forde, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara was made in this area. We will visit some of the set locations to remind you of this romantic tale.
Newport
Here you will give an ear to stories of Grace O’Malley the pirate queen who ruled the waves in this area in the 16th century. We will have a photo stop at one of her strongholds. You will also hear about Grace Kelly the Hollywood actress and Monaco princess whose ancestors came from nearby. We will visit the house, now in ruins from where her grandfather emigrated to Philadelphia in 1887.
What to expect
Professionally guided tour by Neal Doherty in a top spec Land Rover Discovery classified as a Limo. Expect an interesting and entertaining tour with lots of stories, history and anecdotes that you will remember and take home to your family and friends. Our tours are designated tours but if you have some subject or area in which you are particularly interested please let me know and I will tailor the tour to your needs.
- Rest stops and Tea/Coffee breaks.
- Lunch stop (not included in price).
- Plenty of photo opportunities.
