Ireland
A Wee Ramble in Kenmare: Hiking Ireland’s Southwest Coast
Program No. 21682RJ
Discover the wonders of Ireland as you visit emerald coasts and seafaring villages, walk glorious footpaths and hike mountains and peninsulas, learning from local experts along the way.
Participant Reviews
Based on 64 Reviews
SHOWING
Can’t say enough good things about this trip to western Ireland. The scenery, the history, the people, and the food. The trip leader, Paul, was the best I’ve ever had. The trip is for people with mobility issues The trip is a great combination of education, physical activity, and spectacular scenery.
— Review left September 27, 2025
A Wee Ramble is a great immersion into the natural wonders of Ireland, its people and its culture. Try it!
— Review left September 16, 2025
Wee Ramble on West Coast of Ireland surpassed all expectations! Scenery is spectacular! Irish folks are so very warm and welcoming. Hiking was challenging but always doable! Can't wait for the next hiking adventure with Road Scholar.
— Review left September 15, 2025
A perfect “Wee Ramble trip to SW Ireland”! What a fun, educational and happy week I just experienced with RS! This tour had it all…great logistics, the ability to stay in charming Kenmare for the main time, walking excursions to beautiful sights and knowledgeable guides to enhance the experiences.
This tour was the best because of our affable, funny and patient tour leader Paul. I learned so much from him through his insights of growing up in Ireland, and every day was just a wonderful mix of learning and fun.RS of course has done an admirable job of providing one with varied walks, bus rides , lunches, dinners and lectures. To think we did all that in a week! Met new friends and had lots of laughs…highly, highly recommend!
— Review left August 31, 2025
Loved our Wee Ramble! Tremendous itinerary, interesting rambles, and our outstanding group leader Paul Howley made for an unforgettable learning experience.
Logistics were superb, staying in one hotel a big "plus" in the interesting and welcoming town of Kenmare.
— Review left August 30, 2025
Just go! You won't regret it.
— Review left August 23, 2025
A Wee Ramble in Southwest Ireland was a lovely trip! Beautiful countryside and a variety of walks / hikes to enjoy the scenery and u;nique topography. Kenmare (our hotel base) was a cute town with great restaurants and friendly locals who we mingled with on a daily basis. Judith Kimenai, our Group Leader, did a nice job of keeping us organized and made learning about Ireland’s history & culture FUN! She was also very warm & approachable and we appreciated her leadership & direction. Take this trip and see GORGEIOUS Ireland!!
— Review left July 28, 2025
I want to thank the team that found a new flight for me, after I missed my original flight due to storms in Chicago. They worked tirelessly all morning on June 11 to get me on a flight to Shannon. The two names I remember are Ashley and Timothy. There may have been others I was unaware of. I had been anticipating the trip for so long, and was extremely disappointed at the thought of missing out. But they pulled through.
— Review left July 24, 2025
A Wee Ramble through Western Ireland was a green escape that grew my mind; like ivy I peered from the tops of waterfalls, stood in stone circles, touched fronds and leaves, and crept carefully down to the sea.
— Review left July 20, 2025
If you are at all interested in Ireland, outside of the urban experience of Dublin or some other big city; if you love nature and want to hike in beautiful country; if you want to learn about the flora and fauna of the wild west of Ireland, and also learn a good deal about Irish culture and history, this trip is for you! It was a very well conceived and executed experience! Four stars.
— Review left July 19, 2025
This trip focuses on three mountainous peninsulas of southwest Ireland that poke out into the Atlantic. Our tour guide, Judith, was terrific, the perfect mix of organization, encouragement, good cheer and knowledge of the land, history and culture. She pulled in local guides on different excursions. Kayne was particularly good, reciting ancient poetry or singing traditional Irish songs along with his knowledge of flora and fauna. The hikes were not difficult and some fairly level. I prepped by hiking 3.5 miles, 3 times/week with 600 foot elevation change. That was more than enough. Given the changeability of the weather, rain pants and jackets are good to have as are decent hiking boots. Everybody kept up, including one gentlemen of 82. We stayed in one location, Kenmare, so no packing/unpacking every other day. The town has many restaurants and pubs, and shops to buy gifts for yourself and others. We visited a number of other towns, very picturesque. My first trip to Ireland. My second Road Scholar trip. My third coming up in September. As a solo traveler this has turned out to be a great way to see Europe.
— Review left July 19, 2025
Outstanding trip! Varied activities with something different each day. Paul was an awesome leader. We lucked out being a very small group of interesting participants.
— Review left July 3, 2025
Every moment was scenic and interesting. This was a very comforting trip with the emphasis on being out in nature. Many interesting stories and facts to learn also.
— Review left June 23, 2025
I can’t think of a better way to explore and learn about Ireland than with a Road Scholar program. “A Wee Ramble” is a great way to do so. It offers beautiful scenery, exhilarating hikes, delicious food, and comfortable lodgings. Our entire group felt the same way. Our group leader, Paul, and leader-in-training, Judith, were both terrific. They were well organized, very knowledgeable and always supportive. You’ll be in very good hands with either of them. The trip can fairly be described as moderately challenging, so be sure to bring good, supportive hiking boots and hiking poles. I also packed a swimsuit, since the hotel has a lovely indoor pool, hot tub and spa. One more thing - don’t hesitate to wonder around Kenmare in the evening to look for Irish music. I thought it was well worth the effort. This was my 17th Road Scholar program, and I can hardly wait for the next one.
— Review left June 23, 2025
The Kenmare ramble was an interesting and active introduction to the Wild Atlantic Way of southwest Ireland. The instructors shared unique insights on the flora and fauna, archeology, and history of each area visited. The ear-pieces provided allowed me to wander a bit from the group when I spied a photo-worthy view. I also added to my bird "life list," though this program isn't explicitly for birding. The weather was perfect, with only rare drizzle, and the hikes breathtaking. The town of Kenmare offered plenty to see and do during free time, including many restaurants and pubs with music, and an ancient stone circle. This was my first RS adventure -- I'm looking forward to many more.
— Review left June 21, 2025
Everything about the wee ramble in Southwest Ireland exceeded my expectations. Our tour guide, Paul, made each days' destinations delightful with his knowledge, care for every participant, and sense of humor. Remember to pack rain jacket as rainy days could be in the forecast. I highly recommend this adventure and will definitely visit Ireland's Southwest coast again.
— Review left June 7, 2025
This was my second road scholar trip. It exceeded expectations. Thank you to guide Paul for his knowledge, humor and easy going manner. Loved hiking in rural locations with backdrop of the ocean and mountains. Great to stay put in location and shuttle out to trail heads each day. What a get away! 5 stars
— Review left June 6, 2025
This was my eighth trip with Road Scholar.
All parts of the trip were excellent: Our leader, Paul, our local guides, our drivers, the meals, the accommodations, and the weather.
This trip exceeded my expectations.
Thank you for having such excellent people in your employ; they made the trip a wonderful experience .
— Review left May 18, 2025
Excellent program and leader
— Review left May 18, 2025
I'm struggling to add anything new to the glowing reviews of this trip - others have already mentioned the oustanding itinerary in Ireland, our delightful and extremely knowledgable and organized guide and story-teller Paul and our amazing driver Paddy, the charming village of Kenmare, the excellent accomodations and food. What a delight to wake up every day during this trip to a nice breakfast with a delightful group of traveling companions, and have a well-planned , pleasantly paced, and fun day on the beautiful SW coast of Ireland to look forward to! This was a well executed trip with a lovely group of fellow travelers and just the right amount of fresh air and walking, humor, history and culture, and free time in Kenmare. Lightweight raingear and comfy hiking shoes that you don't mind getting muddy highly recommended. Be prepared to be charmed and come back with a love of all things Irish and Road Scholar if you're considering this most pleasant walking trip!
— Review left October 15, 2024
This was the trip of a lifetime! It was educational, fascinating, and beautiful!
The leadership was outstanding, the food delicious, the accommodations pristine, and the people very friendly. You do need to be physically fit and able to walk 3-5 miles a day but your age does not matter. If you want to see rural Ireland at its best, this is the trip for you.
— Review left October 8, 2024
Fascinating and comprehensive review of Irish beauty, traditions, and history!
— Review left October 8, 2024
A wee ramble was a good blend of walking/hiking/touring and free time in the SW of Ireland. It wetted my appetite to return to Ireland and further explore it's magical land and people.
— Review left October 6, 2024
I love the fact that we stayed at the same hotel and on our last day, we stay within walking distance of the airport. Group leader was able to accommodate different level of hiking within the group. I think 12 should be the max.
— Review left September 13, 2024
Fantastic trip with a fantastic guide! Paul was courteous, professional, knowledgeable and well organized. He was always providing helpful information so the entire trip was seamless. Paul also gave us insight into life in Ireland by sharing funny personal experiences and Irish expressions that kept the group entertained during down time in the bus. The itinerary and hikes were exactly as described in the trip overview. The food was good, the hotels were comfortable, and the itinerary was diverse and fun.
— Review left September 4, 2024
A great trip! See Ireland in its unspoiled beauty and learn from the experts. Our leader Paul was phenomenal and every place we visited was different in its own way. So glad my daughter and I could experience a lifelong promise to walk in this lovely part of Ireland.
— Review left August 31, 2024
Wonderful time on Ireland’s breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way! Our hikes were different every day— easy to moderately challenging, always highly enjoyable and eye-popping. Our guest speakers and guides offered additional insight into the history and nature of the island— fittingly augmenting the stories, humorous anecdotes, and cultural background shared by our very congenial and adept tour guide, Paul Howley. Our driver Paddy safely handled the wild hills and curves with a perpetual smile and outstanding expertise. Our group of 20 was particularly cohesive and amicable. Kenmare is a charming Heritage town and was easy walking distance from our hotel for dinner, shopping or strolling. Loved this trip!!!
— Review left August 31, 2024
I highly enjoyed participating in back to back programs: Hiking Ireland's Coastal Northwest followed by A Wee Ramble in Kenmare. Staying in the Kenmare Bay Hotel made it easy to walk into town for independent exploration and meals. The excellent leadership, local guides and selection of sights to visit made for a memorable and delightful first trip to Ireland.
— Review left August 31, 2024
A Wee Ramble was the best trip I could possibly dream of. A wonderful group of women from all over the US coming together to have a spectacular week of hiking and camaraderie with a local trip leader and expert local guides. So much learning, so much fun and so much beautiful scenery! Wish there were more trips like this!
— Review left June 24, 2024
Just returned from A wee Ramble In Ireland with Road Scholar. It was my first trip with them and it was wonderful! Can't wait to find another journey with them- although,I don't know that it could be topped!
— Review left June 24, 2024
I recently went on "A Wee Ramble in Ireland" with Road Scholar. This trip was a women's only hiking trip in the SW corner of Ireland where we hiked four of the five peninsulas on the Atlantic coast. The adventure was wonderful and hiking and traveling in the companionship of women was a refreshing and relaxing adventure and lived up to Road Scholar's commitment to providing a well-paced outdoor experience.
Thank you Road Scholar. For those who may not be aware of Road Scholars commitment to Women Only adventures, see below:
"A longtime travel tour company that began as Elderhostel in 1975, Road Scholar offers educational travel opportunities geared mainly toward senior travelers. More than 60 percent of its tour participants are women, and between 25 and 30 percent of its tour-goers are solo travelers, among which an overwhelming number are are women. Some are widows; others are women whose partners aren’t interested in traveling."
Thank you for serving this important constituency.
— Review left June 23, 2024
This was a wonderful trip to more remote parts of Ireland, these peninsulas on the SW Coast that are surprisingly mountainous and rugged with beautiful views of glacial lakes, bays and inlets. But the guides, especially Paul, the guide who was with us throughout, bring a personal quality to the program, giving us insight into the culture, history and way of life in Ireland. Not only did each guide have a special expertise but they were willing to talk about their own life growing up in Ireland. That make the program very special and takes it beyond being simply a tourist. Plus we had good weather, something you can't count on.
— Review left June 16, 2024
Having completed both the Northwest and Southwest Hiking Programs back to back I heartily
recommend them both. Of the two I found the Northwest hikes to be more challenging. Moving to a new accommodation every two days added to the travel increasing the challenge. The Southwest hikes were quite satisfying and two of them (Gleninichaquin and Sheepshead) could be challenging under wet conditions or to hikers with less experience. The Southwest program is probably the better option for those who haven't hiked a great deal. The Northwest program with the trails to Horn Head and Slieve League Cliffs offers an outstanding experience. Those two destinations will stay with me for a long time.
— Review left June 2, 2024
Even better than I had anticipated!
— Review left May 18, 2024
My husband & I went on this trip for our 40th Wedding anniversary! Despite the rain, we had a wonderful time and our tour guide, Paul, was the best!
— Review left October 4, 2023
Paul was an amazing guide. He was also an excellent storyteller. I would recommend this trip for Ireland’s beauty, and the grace of the people we met there.
— Review left September 21, 2023
I had never traveled abroad before this program, so I had some anxiety about the whole experience. I appreciated all of the program materials and information ahead of time, with packing lists and tips on equipment and things to be watchful for while traveling. My trip was wonderful and relaxing and comfortable due to the extensive planning and preparation done by Paul, the tour director, and others at Road Scholar. I definitely recommend this as a "first trip"!
— Review left September 11, 2023
This trip was a very good blend of hiking and learning about Ireland. It is just about the right amount of hiking for older folks like us (80-81). The pacing was just right. There was sensitivity to our physical needs and we enjoyed the food and very comfortable accommodations. The lectures were fascinating and the scenery second-to-none. The leader looked out for all of us and was a pleasure to be with.
— Review left September 7, 2023
I enjoyed the Wee Ramble in Kenmare, Ireland. It was a hiking tour and even though I do not hike, I do walk about 3-5 miles a day. I enjoyed the hiking and I had the option to sit parts out when I reached my limit. This did not stop the rest of the group from continuing. Very rewarding!
— Review left July 24, 2023
We had a wonderful trip with Road Scholar, which was enhanced by our excellent leader, Paul Howley, and out co-travelers. The blend of learning and physical activity was perfect. Small group is definitely the way to feel more immersed in the locality. This was our first, but not our last, Road Scholar trip!
— Review left July 3, 2023
The “Wee Ramble” was great fun, educational, and put us in the most beautiful landscapes of Ireland. Truly breathtaking hikes that were “spirited” (as described), as well as some rambles through historic places. The program was very well organized, days were full, and the experts joining us added to the learning experience. Our guide, Paul, was the BEST - an interesting, knowledgeable, funny, charming leader. Along with our excellent driver, Paddy, we were in good hands. We had a wonderful group of lovely people, all interesting, kind, and fun. I was a solo traveler and always felt included. This was my first RS trip and, after this amazing experience, I plan to take more! Very highly recommend for active, curious people who like to be in beautiful, uncrowded places. And if you like sheep, you will be in heaven!
— Review left June 22, 2023
Would recommend this program to all walkers. Our guide was the very best. The Irish people and vistas were unforgettable.
— Review left June 10, 2023
If you've dreamed of visiting Ireland, this "Wee Ramble" is the best of the best. (One man in our group was actually on this program for the second time!) The location was perfect, we tackled some challenging hikes with breathtaking views (along with some easier rambles), visited charming towns and colorful villages, touched ancient ruins brimming with history, feasted our eyes on rolling hills, jaw-dropping mountains, a turquoise ocean and the bluest of bays (even enjoying two boat rides) and had the best group leader (Paul Howley) and experts one could ever hope to meet. My only regret is not being able to stay longer.
— Review left June 7, 2023
One of our favorite trips. The people of Ireland, our guide Paul Howley (the best) and our group made this a special trip. Of all our trips with Country Walkers and Wilderness Travel we have never had a better guide and more fun. We would have liked a little more hiking but for the group as a whole it was probably just right. The accommodations made for our vegan diet were great. Thanks
— Review left May 24, 2023
Terrific experience overall. Great group leader, able to give options to varying levels of physical abilities. Alot of laughter. Wonderful participants.
— Review left May 21, 2023
Wonderful trip - first time to Ireland. Loved the small group - made new friends. Paul was excellent - informative, personable, and eager to answer questions and help where needed. A good balance of hiking and learning.
— Review left October 27, 2022
I recommend this “wee ramble” to people who #1 love or are curious about Ireland, #2 exercise @ least 3 times a week and #3 enjoy walking, climbing and hiking a portion of each day.
— Review left October 3, 2022
Join a group that has no equal- Roads Scholar allows you to get away from cities and enjoy the natural beauty and fresh air of the country. Top accommodations and meals are provided, and they have done the planning for you.
— Review left October 3, 2022
Fantastic home base in Kenmare and great field trips every day.
— Review left October 3, 2022
I like to walk and I like to walk in beautiful places, so this Kenmare-based trip was perfect for me. Staying in a comfortable hotel as home base and doing day trips is a great idea -- very restful not having to pack and unpack a lot during the tour. There was a lot of variety in the different daily expeditions, and I was thankful that I didn't have to drive on the very narrow twisting roads in Kerry and west Cork. Kenmare itself is a small charming walkable town with some excellent restaurants and lively pubs. I highly recommend this tour to moderately active folks who don't mind walking in changeable weather and who are interested in Irish landscape and history, from ancient times to the present. I am 65 and travelled in late September.
— Review left October 1, 2022
Great hiking tour of South West Ireland.Awesome leader,very knowledgeable and friendly.Very well organized.
Lots of beautiful places we visited. Breathtaking views .
Kenmare is very nice and delicious food in lots of different restaurants,some with Irish music.
Every day was different and lots of info and history.
— Review left September 18, 2022
If you want to (1) see the world along with well educated, interesting people, (2) be led by highly knowledgable and personable guides, and (3) not have to worry about the details of travel arrangements, all at an affordable price, Road Scholar is the organization for you.
— Review left September 3, 2022
I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. The group leader is terrific, this part of Ireland is fantastically beautiful, there is plenty of variety of things to do on the trip, and the experts are informative and fun. You will learn a tremendous amount about Ireland and fall in love with it!
— Review left September 3, 2022
Very enjoyable program- wonderful and knowledgable tour guide, many learning opportunities and, of course, beautiful Ireland
— Review left July 20, 2022
Great Hiking tour of peninsulas of Southern Ireland. We stayed at a wonderful hotel just at the edge of Kenmare. This allowed us easy walking access to the town each day. Our leader was outstanding and provided local experts to participate during the hikes. This Road Scholar Tour is well organized, with a leader who is flexible. This was one of my most favorite tours.
— Review left July 19, 2022
Perfect trip, not too hard not too soft. Great places to visit with lots of variety. No day was the same.
— Review left July 17, 2022
This was the most amazing trip! Paul our guide was professional, knowledgeable, fun and most of all just a wonderful young man. The other tour guides were also amazing!
I would recommend this trip to anyone who like adventure and wanting to see a beautiful country with beautiful people!
Janet G
— Review left November 2, 2019
A Wee Ramble through Ireland was a magical experience and if you like the outdoors, hiking, beautiful scenery than this is the trip for you.
— Review left October 13, 2019
I truly enjoyed this trip with some hiking divides into 2 groups which was helpful to be able to see more. Paul was an amazing guide with so many stories and worked well with our bus driver who also talked about life in Ireland. Our daily guides were amazing and such a good knowledge of plants, mushrooms, trees and the changing environment. The seaweed lecturer introduced us to a new food source with a lot of humor.
— Review left September 21, 2019
This is a very good hiking/walking trip, although it wasn't as vigorous as the other Road Scholar hiking program we've done (Cinque Terre). The areas we hiked were beautiful, the group leader (Paul) was terrific, and we learned a lot about Ireland and its people. Road Scholar did an excellent job of taking us to great places that were not overrun with tourists, which we appreciated. We traveled in June and had one day of hard rain, but the weather the rest of the week was wonderful.
— Review left July 13, 2019
This was my first Road Scholar program overseas - and it was absolutely wonderful. The hiking was breathtaking, the food was delicious and our guide Paul was intelligent and charming. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see the beautiful southwest coast of Ireland, and doesn't want to do it from a tour bus window!
— Review left July 3, 2019
Best guided tour I've ever been on. Bring good rain gear and good hiking boots. I would call this a combination walking/hiking trip. Not for those that cannot walk for a few hours in a row.
— Review left July 1, 2019
This was a great experience for the novice hiker. We had only done hiking in CA. This experience provided hiking on several different terrains. The hikes were at sea level which made it much easier. We went from goat trails to beaches seeing castles along the way. An experience of a lifetime.
— Review left June 30, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the Wee Ramble program. Staying in one location but branching out daily to varied terrains and historical locations allowed for a relaxing, yet very active time. Kenmare is spectacular in its beauty, geography, history, and very knowledgable local guides enriched each day. Our group guide, Paul, was a joy to have as an leader, instructor and story teller, true to the Irish tradition! He kept us laughing and learning all day. It was obvious that the local instructors and citizens that he dealt with had great fondness and respect for him, as did our group.
— Review left May 26, 2019