FRANCES BRADLEYwith the weekly Outdoors piece...
Blooming BurrenThe Old Ground Hotel in Ennis has teamed up with Tony Kirby of Heart of Burren Walks to offer walking weekends.
They will coincide with wild-flower season in the Burren, taking place on April 9th, May 7th and May 14th. The weekends begin with a welcome reception on the Friday, followed by a full-day guided walk on Saturday and a half-day’s walk on Sunday. The price of €195pps includes two nights’ BB, one dinner and a packed lunch, plus transport to and from the walk. 065-6828127, flynnhotels.com or heartofburrenwalks. com.
Down by the lakeWalks Tourism Pure, in association with Michaeleen's Manor guest house and Cong Hostel, is offering three days of guided walking around the villages of Cong and Clonbur, on the Mayo-Galway border, over the May bank holiday weekend. Two of the days offer easy walking, while the third involves a moderate climb to the 417m summit of Benlevy, offering views over Lough Mask and Lough Corrib. Prices from €220pps for three BB with three dinners, plus three packed lunches. Transit to and from Castlebar train station is included. 094-9027797, 086-8318748 or tourismpure.com.
Way out westA three-day guided walking weekend takes place in Mulrany, Co Mayo, from April 13th to 15th. It also includes a photography lesson with local photographer Glenda Colquhoun. The price of €259pps includes three nights' BB at Mulranny Park Hotel (above), two dinners and two packed lunches. 098-36000 or mulrannyparkhotel.ie.
fbradley@irishtimes.com