I did a day's walk in the Mourne Mountains, up to Slieve Donard then over Slievelamagan and Slieve Binnian.
Slieve Donard and the "Ice House"
A storm in the Mournes
me, on Slievelamagan
view from Slieve Binnian, looking towards Donard
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The next stage of my trip was a walk along the North Antrim coast, from Ballycastle to Portstewart, with an overnight stay at a hostel in Ballintoy. I went to Carrick-a-rede over the rope bridge, and enjoyed the dramatic scenery of The Causeway coast.
Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
looking east from Carrick-a-rede
Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
Carrick-a-rede (Rathlin Island in distance)
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Whitepark Bay
Dunseverick castle
Causeway coast
Causeway coast
Causeway coast
Causeway coast
Causeway coast
Giant's Causeway
Giant's Causeway
After my coastal walk and a night in Derry, I took a bus journey to Galway (it took most of the day to get there) then a bus to Clifden, Connemara. I wanted to stay at the Ben Lettery youth hostel, but they were full.
Dunseverick castle
Causeway coast
Causeway coast
Causeway coast
Causeway coast
Causeway coast
Giant's Causeway
Giant's Causeway
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After my coastal walk and a night in Derry, I took a bus journey to Galway (it took most of the day to get there) then a bus to Clifden, Connemara. I wanted to stay at the Ben Lettery youth hostel, but they were full.
I did a little walk along the road up the coast from Clifden and a big walk in The 12 Bens, which was quite tough going but a fine walk amongst these rugged mountains.
Clifden, Connemara
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Bengower
Ben Lettery
me, on Ben Lettery
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Continuing my journey, I took a bus from Galway to Tralee, and then a bus to Cloghane on the north side of the Dingle peninsula. This bus only runs on a Friday, so I based my itinary around being on this bus with the intention of climbing Mount Brandon from Cloghane. This I did manage to achieve, but the conditions were not good and I got no views at all from the summit. It was a fine walk though, and one that I would like to do again in better weather.
I had a good night in Dingle at Dick mack's pub, then took a bus to Killarney via Tralee. From Killarney, I followed the Kerry Way to the Black Valley, through the Muckross estate and passing by Torc waterfall and taking in a diversion to Torc Mountain (great views of Lough Leane from there). Made my base for the next few days at the Black Valley Hostel
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Continuing my journey, I took a bus from Galway to Tralee, and then a bus to Cloghane on the north side of the Dingle peninsula. This bus only runs on a Friday, so I based my itinary around being on this bus with the intention of climbing Mount Brandon from Cloghane. This I did manage to achieve, but the conditions were not good and I got no views at all from the summit. It was a fine walk though, and one that I would like to do again in better weather.
I had a good night in Dingle at Dick mack's pub, then took a bus to Killarney via Tralee. From Killarney, I followed the Kerry Way to the Black Valley, through the Muckross estate and passing by Torc waterfall and taking in a diversion to Torc Mountain (great views of Lough Leane from there). Made my base for the next few days at the Black Valley Hostel
Torc waterfall
Lough Leane from Torc Mountain
Macgillycuddy's Reeks from Upper Lake
Black Valley
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The highlight of my trip was a traverse of the Reek's ridge and standing on top of Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest peak. I got to the top just in time before the weather started to close in , it was a long (and wet) walk back to the hostel along the Kerry Way, but I didn't care.MacGillycuddy's reeks
Ascending to the Reek's ridge
Carrauntoohil from Cruach Mor
Carrauntoohil from Reek's ridge
me, on Carrauntoohil
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After my exertions on the Reeks ridge, the next walk was an easy one up the road to the Gap of Dunloe and Glas Lough, below Purple Mountain.
Purple Mountain and Glas Lough
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The last stage of my walk was to continue the Kerry Way to Glenbeigh, with an overnight stop at the Climber's Inn Glencar. The room was nice enough, and Kitchen facilities were good. But the bar was a let down, they didn't do meals, though they did open the shop up to buy food to cook.
Black Valley
mountains and stream on the Kerry Way
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