The West of Ireland offers wonderful scenery and leisure opportunities
Galway, Mayo and Donegal are the two largest counties in the West of Ireland and Donegal has the longest coastline in Ireland, giving it two outstanding features that make it stand out from most other counties: superb beaches and a one of the best areas and climate for surfing in the world. The beaches, vast and desolate in many cases, are the best in all of Ireland and to add to the accompanying coastal attractions there are many superb golf courses such as Ballyliffen with its two courses on the Inishowen peninsula and Murvagh in the south. from Donegal. . The powerful currents of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged coastline create a natural combination of forces to produce the best possible surfing opportunities and thousands of avid participants visit each year. Add in the magnificent Glenveigh National Park, The Rosses, Dungloe and Letterkenny, the county town and visiting Donegal is more like a trip to another country.
Sligo has a short coastline and Leitrim, to the surprise of many, actually has a 10 kilometer coastline, wedged between Sligo and Donegal. What it lacks in size, Roscommon and Leitrim make up for its lack of waterfront by having wonderful lakes and rivers. In Leitrim, sights like Glencar Lake and waterfall, along with attractive and bustling Carrick-on-Shannon, make visiting Ireland’s least populated county a delight. Neighboring Roscommon has the impressive Curlew Mountains and the vast and impressive Lough Key lake and forest park, near the town of Boyle.
By far the most famous area in the region is Connemara, a vast area of outstanding and stunning natural beauty that attracts millions of visitors every year. Most of the Connemara area is situated in County Galway, but to the north it extends as far as Louisburgh in County Mayo, west of Westport. The capital of Connemara is Clifden, about 80 kilometers west of the city of Galway. This wonderfully vibrant city, so full of character, epitomizes the laid-back mentality of the Western Irish that visitors are so drawn to. Here there is no rush. Haste is not a word that enters the local vocabulary, most of which is spoken in the native Gaelic tongue. Even if you could understand them, there’s still no rush!
Connemara has everything to offer, from lakes and mountains, golf fishing, horse riding, adventure centers and the stunning Connemara National Park, home to a wide variety of wildlife and nature.
The city of Galway is the capital of the west of Ireland and is known as the most fun place in Ireland, even ahead of Dublin, the country’s capital. Festivals are a full-time occupation in Galway, it seems. There is something different every week in the summer months and the most famous of many events are the Galway Races which take place in July/August each year. The seven-day festival attracts millions of thousands, many of whom have no interest in racing; there just for all the other sideshows and what the Irish know as the crack!
Other festivals include the world renowned Festival of the Arts and two Oyster Festivals along with a prominent Theater Festival. Galway’s compact center offers excellent shopping, dining and above all great pubs to quench your thirst and enjoy each other’s company.
County Mayo, while not as populous as Galway, offers a wonderful selection of landscapes, towns and activities. Castlebar is the county town capital, a modern driving town that is the gateway to the west of the county. However, the most notable city is not the largest, but definitely the most beautiful.
Westport has the distinction of being the only architecturally designed city in Ireland and the location is beautiful. Winner of the Irish Tidy Towns award on numerous occasions, it is an excellent base for exploring the whole of Mayo, but particularly the southern part of the county and Achill and Clare Islands. Achill has a bridge to access it, but the sparsely inhabited Clare Island can only be reached by boat. Westport offers everything from excellent accommodations and an abundance of entertainment to an array of culinary excellence to suit any budget. It is the location of one of Ireland’s most famous mountains, Croagh Patrick, just to the west of the city. Named after Saint Patrick who founded a church on its top, the mountain attracts visitors year-round, but particularly on what is known as “Stinking Sunday,” when thousands take part in a pilgrimage to the top where the Mass. From here, you have exceptional views of Clew Bay and the famous 365 islands that lie within it.
Further north, Ballina is the second largest city in Mayo and is a busy market town that is perfectly located for the pursuit of the rich fishing lakes that surround it. It is an ideal base for exploring the north coast of Mayo, where exceptional golf courses can be found, such as Carne/Belmullet Golf Club. Don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful views of the Ceide megalithic fields for a unique look into the past.