Walking the Edge- Ag Siúl ar an Imeall

A Wild Coastal Immersion

Walking the Edge- a Wild Coastal Immersion is a walking tour and rare opportunity to have the insider’s view of life in this unique coastal habitat on the extreme edge of Europe. Stories of seafaring, legendary conflict and survival intertwine with the dramatic coastline and a wealth of marine life which resides peacefully there.

The tour can take place on either the coastal margins of NW Donegal with a view of the Atlantic seaboard- a 4hr tour, or on the island of Tory-  a 3hr tour (Toraigh in Irish means steep, rocky heights). Tory sits 14km off the coast of the North West of Ireland and is a dramatic and mythic jewel in Irish history and heritage. Both coastal communities and Tory have a resident population who speak Irish, or Gaeilge, and who have a long and vibrant lineage stretching back to ancient times.

If you choose the tory Island tour, please factor in the additional time for the ferry crossing (approx 45 mins each way)- NOTE the ferry cost in NOT included in the tour cost and you should book this once you have booked our tour and talked to our guide to agree the time of your tour.

The tour is guided by Aodh or Hugh, a native Irish speaker resident in Rann na Feirste (Ranafast) and working on Tory and can be taken in the Irish or English language. The Tory walk includes a discussion with a resident islander, and a walking tour laying bare the wild-life, history, mythology, and indigenous face of Ireland.

The tour can be taken as a day tour or as a day tour plus overnight. The day tour will comprise a 2-3 hour walk on the island, with the opportunity for a sea swim before you depart for home. The overnight tour will comprise two walks, a longer afternoon walk on arrival and a shorter walk the following morning, with an optional sea swim .

Overnight accommodation is in the Tory Island Hotel and evening meal and breakfast is included in the overnight tour price based on double or twin occupancy. Single occupancy upgrade is available on request.

Ferry cost (€10-28 depending on age) is NOT included and can be booked locally or on-line at www.toryferry.com in advance of arrival. Family and group tickets are available. Please note the ferry departs from Magheraroarty Pier promptly and responsibility for travel to/from the ferry port and for early arrival is entirely yours.

Meet Our Instructors

Aodh Mac Gairbheá

“Is áit draoíchtach fíor-álainn é Oiléan Thoraí”, deireann Aodh as Rann na Feinste.

Is as Rann na Feirste Aodh Mac Gairbheá agus tá sé ina chónaí ansin lena bhean chéile agus a chuid páistí. Is ceantar Gaeltachta é Rann na Feirste áit a bhfuil an Ghaeilge a labhairt go laethiúl ann agus is mór an ghrá atá aige dá theanga dhúchais.

Bíonn Aodh ag teagasc na Gaeilge sa mhéan scoil ar Oileán Thoraí. Tá suim faoi leith aige i dteanga, gcultúr, stair agus miotaseolaíocht an oileáin.

Hugh McGarvey

“Tory Island is an amazingly beautiful and magical place”, says Hugh McGarvey from Ranafast.

Ranafast is in a Gaelteacht area where Irish is spoken daily. Hugh lives there with his family and has a great love of his native tongue. He currently teaches in the secondary school on Tory Island and has a particular interest in the language, culture, history and mythology of the island.

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From: €50 to €200 

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