Clare Island Walking Festival 2014

Clare Island

Clare Island was the site of one of the largest naturalist surveys in the early 1900′s by Robert Lloyd Praeger, covering 5 main topics:

Archaeology
History and Culture
Botany
Geology & Zoology.

This work was up-dated in the early 1990′s by the Royal Irish Academy and today represents a significant body of work. This work has been used to track environmental change over the past 100 years.

The Clare Island Walking Festival will take you on a journey from pre-historic times to current day as you learn about many of interesting facts before you see them in the flesh on your guided walks.

Michael Gibbons
Michael Gibbons is one of Ireland’s leading field archaeologists. Michael is a graduate of University College Galway with a degree in History and Archaeology. He is a member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland with thirty years of experience as an archaeologist and completed a 5 year term on the Archaeology Committee of the Heritage Council.

Evening Talk for Saturday June 14, 2014
New Research into the History and Archaeology of Caher and Saint MacDara’s Island”

Field Trip for Sunday June 15, 2014
Explore 6000 years of Clare Island’s Archaeology and History on a trek back in time; where we will walk through an ancient bog bound forest; see a spectacular 5000 year old tomb, built by the island’s first farmers; sit by the cooking mounds over 3000 years old; walk past pre-bog field systems en-route to the most beautiful sea cliffs in Western Europe. The first half of this walk is suitable for everyone, the second half is more challenging.

Ciara Cullen

Ciara Cullen (Clare Island Local) opperates the Clare Island retreat Center and is owner of a unique native woodland on the island. Ciara will bring you on a light guided walk through the woodland telling you many of its hidden secrets and making the connection to the ancient forest nearby.

We plan to have walks for different grades of walker from the hardy walkers looking for that extra mile to the more leisurely walker looking for an informed stroll.

Entertainment (music, song & dance)
Every weekend on the island the local bars have a mix of lively traditional music, folk and sometimes the odd wild card. The island prides itself on its fresh seafood which is served in the local restaurants.

Accommodation
Go Explore hostel is one of Ireland’s premier hostels providing top of the range accommodation in all en-suite rooms. Sailor’s Bar & Restaurant is part of Go Explore Hostel and is the start point for all of the talks and walks. A full line up of entertainment will follow soon.

Go Explore Hostel & Sailor’s Bar / Restaurant – (098) 26307

O’Grady’s Guesthouse beside the harbour – Phone (098) 22991
Beach Side Apartment – (098) 22991
Nelly Woods B&B – Phone (098) 22986
Sea Breeze B&B – Phone (098) 26746
Cois Abhainn B&B – Phone (098) 26216
Granuaile House B&B – Phone (098) 26250
O’Malleys B&B – Phone (098) 25893
Ciaran and Ann’s–Phone (098) 25106
The Lodge, self-catering accommodation – Phone (098) 26057 / (098) 26250
Full line up of events will be made available soon.

Sponsors
Clare Island Ferry Company / www.clareislandferry.com / (086) 8515003
Clare Island Lighthouse / www.clareislandlighthouse.com / (087) 6689758
Go Explore Hostel & Sailor’s Bar / Restaurant / www.goexplorehostel.ie / (098) 26307
Clare Island Development Company / www.clareisland.ie / (098) 26525
The Community Center Bar / (087) 7703976

Bookings – 

www.goexplorehostel.ie/themed-breaks/walking-festivals/
+353 98 26307 / +353 87 4108706