Connacht
Connacht is the Western province of Ireland. The five counties of Connacht are Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. The rugged west coast is peppered with peninsulas, ports and tiny islands. Home to the famous Wild Atlantic Way route, visitors will marvel at its natural beauty.
Things to Do…
Galway City
A balmy, bohemian city with a love of traditional music – Galway is hard to resist. The spirit of Ireland’s west coast beats through the bustling streets, from mellow old pubs boasting turf and cozy corners, to shops selling Claddagh rings, Aran sweaters and bog-oak carvings. On the flipside, you’ll find boundary-pushing chefs who are passionate about local ingredients, chic design stores, rolling street music and a seriously vibrant film scene (Galway is a UNESCO City of Film). Wander down age-old alleys, walk the coastal promenade to the seaside town of Salthill, or stroll over one of the River Corrib’s four bridges.
Connemara National Park
Explore Connemara National Park and admire the incredible scenery where rugged mountains dominate the dramatic landscape. Situated in County Galway, Connemara National Park is one of Ireland’s six national parks that covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. There is also a 19th-century graveyard as well as 4,000-year-old megalithic court tombs.
Kylemore Abbey
Located just over one hour from Galway City, Kylemore Abbey is one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. Kylemore Castle was built in the late 1800s by Mitchell Henry MP, a wealthy businessman, and liberal politician. An enlightened landlord and vocal advocate of the Irish people, Henry poured his life’s energy into creating an estate that would showcase what could be achieved in the remote wilds of Connemara. Today Kylemore Abbey is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence here since 1920. Experience woodland and lakeshore walks, magnificent buildings and Ireland’s largest Walled Garden. History talks take place three times a day in the Abbey and tours of the Walled Garden take place throughout the summer.
Croagh Patrick
At 764m high climbing Croagh Patrick is a rite of passage for hiking enthusiasts. On a clear day, Croagh Park offers panoramic views of the hundreds of tiny, green drumlin islands in Clew Bay, the Wild Atlantic Way, the gorgeous tourist town of Westport and surrounding mountain ranges. The mountain got its name from St Patrick who is reputed to have fasted at its top for 40 days. Due to this, a small church was built around 1905 and mass is said there at certain times of the year. Because of that, it’s better known as Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’ or ‘The Reek’.