Run Holiday: Uncover the Secrets of the Northwest in Ireland

Because Ireland is everything that you imagine it to be: dramatic coastal cliffs, lively pubs, crumbling castles, moody weather, astoundingly green hills, rich traditions, cozy BnBs and warm, chatty locals who will leave you feeling right at home no matter where you roam. Long distance walks are a national pastime, and running is a unique and incredibly rewarding way to experience a countryside that the average visitor only sees from a tour bus window.

The trip price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, pickup in Dublin on arrival day, Dublin airport drop-off on departure day, all accommodation, all meals from lunch on the first day until breakfast on the final day, all transportation, experienced trip leaders, local logistics team, 6 organized, guided runs, boat tickets, sightseeing entry fees and team swag. In short, just about everything is covered from the moment you land until the moment you leave!

The cost does not include flight, transport to our first-day meeting spot (detailed instructions will be provided), alcohol, travel insurance, tips or personal purchases/extra activities.

Let’s be honest, we are all unique and your schedules (and originating airport!) are no exception. Come early, stay late. Drive, fly, paddle your kayak over. Participants will be responsible for booking their travel arrangements and ensuring that they arrive and depart according to the specific instructions for your chosen itinerary. Suggestions and guidance will be provided once you are signed up.

There is no set requirement, though a bit of preparation can help ensure that you see everything! Daily distance maximums are listed on the itinerary and all routes can be shortened if needed; plans will be tweaked according to the ability mix of the group. Keep in mind that many people end up running quite a bit more during our trips than they would at home - when running is your only responsibility for the day, you'll be amazed at how much more you can do! There is never any pace pressure; the whole point is to get out there and enjoy it!

But for those who like specifics, we’d say that if you arrive comfortable with logging at least 3-4 runs per week of 4-6 miles (6-10km) each and one longer run of 8-10 miles (13-16km), you’ll be able to handle the full itinerary with no problem. If that’s too much for you, don’t worry! Shorter options are offered every day.

The terrain is a mix of dirt/gravel roads, single track trail, pavement and definitely some bog. Expect some mud, and expect some hills! You are encouraged to pack both road and trail shoes; not only will they help with the varied terrain, but it also gives you a backup pair when the other needs to dry out.

The time of day will vary depending on where we are, where we’re headed and also weather conditions. We plan for mid-morning runs (after breakfast, before lunch), but there is always a chance that weather or other logistical considerations could result in an afternoon run. The key is to just relax and roll with it – it’s not about “getting it in,” but rather about exploring a brand new place each day!

In short, we'll experience Ireland! Drive along the Wild Atlantic Way, visit the Aran Islands, learn the rich history of each region and, most importantly, sip perfectly poured pints alongside locals and catch the live performance of the night at the nearest pub.

Non-runners are welcome as long as they don't mind hanging out with a bunch of runners, and typically works out just fine if they enjoy hiking or walking. Do keep in mind that the itinerary each day is primarily planned around the scheduled run and we cannot support separate activities. If you have a non-runner or walker interested in joining, please get in touch before registering so that we can make sure it’s a good fit.

The accommodation is a mix of family-run bed & breakfasts, private lodges and boutique hotels, often with a view and nearly always within walking distance to the town or village center. We use unique, family-run establishments whenever possible for an authentic experience with local impact; you can expect clean, cozy, welcoming places each night!

Ireland's weather is famous for its unpredictability, but it's rarely extreme. Summer temperatures are generally mild (highs around 60F / 15C, lows around 50F / 10C) and offer the best chance for sunshine (you’ll have up to 18 hours of daylight to work with!), though you should expect to experience bouts of fog, rain and wind as well. Pack with layers in mind (we’ll provide a detailed packing list), and don't let bad weather bother you - it's part of the experience, and it'll most likely change completely a few minutes later!

Possibly! We occasionally have a limited number of single rooms available after the balance due date (3 months prior to departure). The smaller properties that we use only have so many rooms, so we cannot guarantee how many will be available until we know the final group size. You can indicate your interest when you register and we will offer single rooms in the order in which you registered.

Irish cuisine typically features hearty comfort food that reflects the locally available ingredients and an often wet, chilly climate. Days will start with hearty Irish breakfasts (think eggs, sausages, toast, yogurt, fruit, muesli, etc) and lunches are a mix of sandwiches, picnic spreads and pub fare at the finish line of that day’s run. In each destination we'll enjoy dinner in a local establishment - you'll generally find plenty of pub fare (stews, fish & chips, etc) along with salads, soups, pasta, etc in the smaller towns, a wider selection in the larger towns and wonderful fresh seafood just about everywhere. Most special diets (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free) can be easily accommodated, but please get in touch with us first if you have a combination of requirements to ensure that this trip is a good fit.

We will be traveling in clean, comfortable 8-passenger mini-buses with dedicated drivers (who also provide top-notch run support and lots of laughs each day!).

We’ll provide guidance and a detailed packing list after you sign up, but do note that both trail and road running shoes are recommended and that a handheld water bottle or hydration pack and a rain jacket are required. A friendly reminder: packing light will make everything easier for you (and everyone else)!

US citizens will need a passport with at least 3 months of validity left and, beginning in 2025, will also require an ETIAS authorization to enter the EU. The launch date has yet to be confirmed. Participants from other countries should check with their consulate for entry requirements.

Your entire trip will be spent with drivers and guides who will go above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience for everyone. Although tips are not expected, they’re always appreciated and completely at your discretion. Any gratuities will be split evenly amongst the team.

We know that life happens, and on occasion a participant will have to back out of a trip. As most of our costs are paid well in advance, we have set a cancellation policy that applies to all trips. You should obtain travel insurance to cover potential cancellations on your part.

If you cancel:

Within 30 days of signup (but more than 90 days from departure): Full refund

90+ days from the trip start date (but after the 30 day grace period): Deposits are non-refundable

61-90 days from the trip start date: 50% of total payment refunded**

60 days or less from the trip start date: No refunds

*If you register using a transfer credit, you may transfer again without penalty within 30 days of signup but will not be eligible for a refund

**This only applies to participants who have paid their balances on time. If you do not pay the balance by the due date and cancel after the fact, your deposit is non-refundable.

***Add-ons (early arrival or single room upgrades) are fully refundable if cancelled 90+ days from departure.

If you wish to transfer your deposit from one trip to another you must notify us at least 120 days prior to your original departure date. A fee of $150 per person will apply and will be deducted from your original deposit. If you notify us less than 120 days prior to the proposed departure date the refund policy applicable to cancellations will apply. Deposit transfers may only be made once, and must be made to another trip departing within 12 months of your original departure date.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had never cancelled a trip and we hope that going forward we never have to again. But, it is a possibility and here is what happens if it happens:

If we cancel a trip due to low participant numbers, you will be notified no later than 60 days prior to departure and will receive the option of a full refund or transfer to an alternate trip.

If a trip is cancelled at the last minute due to external events outside our reasonable control (natural disasters, terrorism, etc) we will issue full refunds less any unrecoverable costs. This type of scenario is unlikely but always a possibility - get that travel insurance!