The Independent Walker's Guide to Ireland: 35 Memorable Walks in Ireland's Green Countryside

Planning a walking trip sight unseen is always an act of faith. This well-written guide makes it easier to discover Ireland off the beaten path and be confident that you are setting off on walks that you can handle, that you know what to expect along the way, and can judge ahead of time whether to take one walk versus another. Booth includes information on where to find food and water as well as toilet facilities. I looked at three walking guides for an upcoming trip to Ireland, and this is the only one I am taking with me.

While visiting Ireland for a week my Dad and I enjoyed two of the walks described in the book. Walk 16 from Spa to Tralee winded next to a quiet stretch of ocean and canal. While following the trail through farmers's fields spotted cows slowly blinked at our presence. We viewed horseback riders, the Blennerville windmill, and wild flowers during our trek. It was an up close view of the beautiful green Irish countryside. We also enjoyed walk 14 on Inishmore (one of the Aran Islands). The book gave helpful advice on using local transportation to travel to the starting point of the walk. Starting at the mighty fortress Dun Aonghasa we marveled at the sheer cliffs protecting the fortress. The view was incredible. Leave extra time for listening to the crashing ocean waves and exploring the rocky walls. On the return walk the ocean view was captivating. We saw a local farmer repairing a stone wall by hand. This walk allowed us to enjoy a unique part of Ireland firsthand. The 35 walks listed in the book were from 2 to 9 miles in length and descriptions of elevation and estimated walking time were included. Public transportation information was provided where available which we found helpful since we did not have a rented car. Using this book we were able to enjoy recommeded sites, but also get off the beaten path to see the real Ireland.