Mountains, Myths and Music; Irish adventure

See Ireland from the unique perspectives of our mountains, myths and music. Explore your ancient relationship with the Emerald Isle and go deep into your own spiritual journey of Celtic connection.

Wellbeing Explorers Expeditions

Mountains, Myths and Music; Irish Adventure

Duration: 10 days

Level: Moderate fitness required (four hiking days 6-8 hours)

Price: POA

Objectives

This expedition will give you an intimate look into life in Ireland; old and new. We will celebrate culture, heritage and mountain life and go on an adventure into how we connect to the land, ourselves, culture and others.

We will climb the most spiritual peaks and reach the highest points in the land to connect with the mountains and allow the fresh mountain breeze to flow through our hair and revitalise our souls. We will come back to civilisation to sit by a crackling fire, eat warm soda bread and hearty Irish soup to warm our toes and hearts. We will hear stories of old Ireland, where the fairies and spirits rule the land. We will drink pints of Guinness while listening to sweet Irish aire’s to break our souls open after a long day on the hill.

Highlights

  • Four days of hiking pilgrimage to the summits of some of Ireland’s most scared and epic mountains: Lugnaquilla (Wicklow), Slieve Donard (Down), Slieve League (Donegal), Croagh Patrick (Mayo)

  • Incredible, wild and mountainous landscapes – when we say wild, we mean it! There are few cultivated trails so you will be moving through steep and uneven terrain to venture upwards. It is an exciting adventure

  • Interactions with locals and story tellers – there is nothing better than sitting in an Irish pub with an impromptu music session and tales of old Ireland

  • Cultural immersion in both Dublin and Belfast; see the perspective of the Irish and the Northern Irish

  • Expedition leader Emma, is County Down born and our Wellbeing Explorers founder. Her spiritual home is the Mountains of Mourne, Slieve Donard (which we will climb)

  • Irish music – Emma is an accomplished fiddle player and singer. She will get the music sessions started and sing you sweet Irish songs she learnt from her Grandfather. Irish sessions evolve organically and you will be joined by people all over the town to play, dance, sing and tell poems and stories

  • Irish myths – learn the tales of old that define life and culture to this day. Understand Irish superstition and how to become connected to the environment and in tune with the seasons

  • Spiritual journey – allow yourself to open to the connection to the Irish landscape, myth, culture and mountains.

Itinerary

Day 1: Dublin – arrival, briefing and meet the group

Day 2: Dublin – Irish cultural immersion. Sight-seeing, shopping, music

Day 3: Westport – climb Croagh Patrick (hike, 7km, 4 hours), music

Day 4: Donegal – climb Slieve League (hike, 8km, 4 hours)

Day 5: Donegal – relax or explore Donegal’s wild landscape with gentle walks, music

Day 6: County Antrim & North Coast; sightseeing, music, (optional game of thrones)

Day 7: Belfast – Northern Irish cultural immersion. Explore the back streets and understand the complexities of politics and religion. Music.

Day 8: Newcastle County Down – climb Slieve Donard (hike, 9km, 5 hours), music

Day 9: Wicklow Mountains – climb Lugnaquilla (hike, 10km, 6-8 hours).

Day 10: Dublin – depart

Included in the price

Accommodation

Breakfast

Lunches for hiking days

Not included in the price:

Travel to and from Dublin, Ireland

Insurance (travellers must provide their own insurance)

Dinner

Lunches on non-hiking days

Specialised hiking equipment

Alcohol