DAY 1: ARRIVAL + GO WEST
The trip begins with a meet-up location in the heart of Dublin, and we waste no time as we head straight northwest across the country to the Atlantic coast and County Sligo, our base for the first two nights. You’ll arrive to sea views, the smell of salt on the air and beautiful views of the mountains around the bay. No scheduled running today, just some decompression time and a walk over to our first group dinner where we’ll give you all of the details for your first run, happening the following morning!
Running: No scheduled run
Meals: D included
DAY 2: A CELTIC QUEEN
After a light breakfast we will head off for our first run on Knocknarea, a beautiful hill that stands sentry over the Sligo coastline with views for miles around. We will tell you all about the legend of Queen Meadhbh (and tell you how to pronounce her name!) whose shrine tops of the hill. A great mixture of challenging stair steps, seaside paths and gentle forest trails will satisfy every type of runner, and we’ll finish right back at the hotel for the chance to clean up before taking a walk down to the seafront for a cafe lunch. After a bit of downtime we will head into nearby Sligo Town to explore the city center and enjoy a nice dinner together.
Running: Up to 9 mi / 14km (1400 ft / 450m gain); trail
Meals: BLD included
DAY 3: A GLACIAL VALLEY, LAKEFRONT LIVING & A NEW COUNTRY, TOO
After breakfast we will head out for a short drive to our second run in the heart of the Dartry Mountains at the Gleniff Horseshoe. This tranquil road run covers a route steeped in folklore with stunning views of the glacially formed valleys and cliffs along the way - have your camera ready! Lunch will take place at a beautiful sweep of beach called Mullaghmore, and then we’ll head just over the border into Northern Ireland and County Fermanagh. The rest of the day is spent kicked back at our cozy lakefront lodge complete with spa facilities for those tired legs!
Running: Up to 6 mi / 10km (600 ft / 200m gain), pavement
Meals: BLD included
DAY 4: THE LOCAL'S PICK
Sean, one of our long-time guides and the original designer of this trip, grew up here in Fermanagh and today you get to enjoy his favorite local loop! There’s no way to disguise it - it’s a steep start up to the top of the locally infamous Magho Cliffs. Nearly 700ft of climbing in the first half a mile will work off breakfast and reward you with huge views over Lough Erne and several surrounding counties! From there you’ll settle into a great run through the Lough Navar Forest, past several picturesque lakes and along quiet forest trails, enjoying glimpses of the wild landscape all around. Afterward we will head back across the border and onwards to Donegal and the village of Carrick where colorful pub with cozy rooms awaits to welcome us in for the night.
Running: up to 11 mi / 17km (1500 ft / 500m gain); mix of trail, gravel road, paved road
Meals: BLD included
DAY 5: THOSE "OTHER" IRISH CLIFFS
The Cliffs of Moher may be Ireland’s most famous cliffs but they aren’t the tallest - not even close! The highest point of Sliabh Liag towers nearly 2000 ft above the water below and – on a clear day! – the cliffs command astonishing views of a vast section of beautiful coastline. After breakfast we will head off on an epic run (perhaps more of a hike…) following a single track route up, up, up to the top of the cliffs, where some interpretive bog sections and unbelievable view await. Eventually you’ll enjoy cruising down a gravel road back to the village, where lunch awaits. Once everyone is finished and fed, we’ll take a short drive to our next stop of the trip where you’ll get to indulge in unpacking your bag - we’re staying for two nights!
Running: 8 mi / 13km (1800 ft / 600m gain); mix of trail, bog & gravel road
Meals: BLD included
DAY 6: ON ISLAND TIME
This morning we will take a short ferry ride out to the charming island of Arranmore. Thanks to their remote locations, Ireland’s islands have preserved culture, heritage & language like nowhere else in the country, and Arranmore is no exception Today’s run takes us on a full loop of the island for firsthand look at the realities of this isolated existence: mountain sheep farming, turf cutting on the bog, storm-battered cliffs and the delight found in a cozy pub at the end of it all. Late in the afternoon we’ll head back to the mainland for a nice evening back at our lodge - complete with plenty of modern comforts.
Running: Up to 12 mi/20km (1500ft / 500m gain; mostly pavement
Meals: BLD included
DAY 7: A ROYAL FINALE
After breakfast we’ll head to nearby Glenveagh National Park in the heart of Donegal, which spans over 40,000 acres of pristine lakes, rugged mountains and beautiful forests surrounding a 19th century castle. Our run takes us right through the center of the park, along the shores of Lough Veagh, past the castle (make sure to stop and explore!), and through beautiful gardens and native woodland. If you’re lucky you might even spot some Irish Red Deer or a Golden Eagle! This is a cruise-y run that will feel great at the end of a big week, and lunch awaits at the finish line. From there we head to our last stop of the week, a elegant manor house - nearly a castle itself! - on the shores of Drongawn Lough, for a very special final dinner and evening together.
Running: up to 8 mi / 13km (400ft / 120m gain), dirt path & pavement
Meals: BLD included
DAY 8: BACK TO REALITY...
After breakfast we’ll head back to the Dublin airport, arriving by 1pm to say our reluctant goodbyes! Catch an afternoon or evening fligh home, or connect to onward travel from there.
Running: No scheduled run
Meals: B included