|
|
 |
|
|
West
|
The Ireland West region is known
as the Cultural Heart of Ireland. We nurture a deep cultural,
artistic and traditional arts and language heritage. We gladly
share this with visitors to the region who can immerse themselves
in the experience by joining in the year-round festivals and
events. Our people are friendly and welcoming – all
visitors are assured of a warm welcome!
A visit to
the West of Ireland is the best way to experience all that
Ireland has to offer all in one – whether it’s
marveling at the unrivalled scenery, cruising through gentle
waterways or enjoying international arts festivals.
The West is
all that they say it is – wild and wonderful. |
|
Why
Ireland West?
| • |
Direct access from 6
UK cities to our two regional airports of Galway and Knock.
|
| • |
Traditional Music, Festivals
like the Galway races, Galway Arts Festival, the Oyster
festival |
| • |
Stonewashed cottages,
Irish speaking, rugged landscapes. |
| • |
Galway City – young,
vibrant, colorful, traditional feel, suits all ages. |
| • |
Sites of great historic
interest – Ceide Fields in Mayo, Dun Aonghus on
the Aran Islands, & Kylemore Abbey |
| • |
Christian Heritage –
Knock Shrine, Croagh Patrick, The East Galway Ecclesiastical
Trail |
| • |
Wide range of diverse
accommodation from country houses to castles to international
hotels and world-class spas. |
|
|
|
| Activities
View
Activities Map
Below is just a selection of activities
to be found in the West region. For more information click
here
| 1. |
Adventure Sports
The West’s rugged terrain provides the perfect location
for adventures, such as rock climbing, orienteering, archery,
clay pigeon shooting and summer camps for kids. |
| 2. |
Cycling
Take your time as you cycle through the West’s awe-inspiring
scenery and along its dramatic coastal roads. |
| 3. |
Fishing
Situated at its western extremity, the island of Ireland is
the last unspoiled angling location in Europe, offering unrivalled
environments for every type of angler. |
| 4. |
Gaelic Games
Sample the drama of Ireland’s unique games of football
and hurling, the latter reputed to be the fastest ball game
in the world . Mayo is a particular stronghold of ladies’
Gaelic football. |
| 5. |
Galway Races
Not many race meetings come close to the excitement to be enjoyed
at Galway, regarded by many as Ireland's most colorful racing
festival. |
| 6. |
Horse Riding
The West provides an unrivalled backdrop for a bracing holiday
on horseback. For a list of equestrian centers check out www.irelandwest.ie.
|
| 7. |
Sailing
By boat you can discover the wild Atlantic coast, with its secluded
bays and islands, or cruise through rivers and loughs with an
unforgettable sense of space and freedom. Check out www.sailingireland.com,
www.sailing.ie
and www.iwai.ie
for more information. |
| 8. |
Walking
A variety of way-marked routes cover some of the most scenic
areas, such as the Connemara Gaeltacht |
| 9. |
Water sports
The expanse of Atlantic coastline along Galway and Mayo offers
canoeing, sailing, surfing, water-skiing and deep-sea diving |
|
Culture View
Culture Map
Below is just a selection of cultural
attractions to be found in the West region. For more information
click here
| 1. |
Galway Arts Festival
Ireland’s largest annual arts festival features writers,
artists, performers and musicians from Ireland and all around
the world. |
| 2. |
Galway International Oyster
Festival, Clarinbridge, County Galway
An annual celebration of great food, accompanied by great fun,
now in its 51st year and still going strong. |
| 3. |
Irish Culture
Learn the Irish language in a Gaeltacht area, attend a summer
school in Irish music or dancing, or brush up on your painting
or pottery skills. |
| 4. |
Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar,
County Mayo
Offers an ongoing program of exhibitions, drama, literature
and film, plus children’s and adult workshops. |
| 5. |
National Museum of Ireland,
Country Life, Castlebar, County Mayo
Home to the wide-ranging national folk life collection with
daily guided tours, education programs, beautiful grounds, shop
and restaurant. |
| 6. |
Ragús experience, Aran
Islands
A spectacular show of traditional Irish music, song and dance
inspired by the remote Aran Islands and performed daily during
the summer on Inis Mór. |
| 7. |
Traditional Irish music
As well as informal music sessions every night in pubs, there
are many annual festivals such as the Féile Chois Chuain
in Louisburg, Co Mayo. |
|
Golf View
Golf Map
Below is just a selection of Golf
courses to be found in the West region. For more information click
here
| 1. |
Ballinasloe Golf
Club, County Galway |
| 2. |
Bearna Golf Club, County Galway |
| 3. |
Carne Golf Links, County Mayo |
| 4. |
Connemara Championship Links,
County Galway |
| 5. |
Galway Bay Golf Resort, County
Galway |
| 6. |
Glenlo Abbey Golf Club, County
Galway |
| 7. |
Gort Golf Club, County Galway |
| 8. |
Roscommon Golf Club, County
Roscommon |
| 9. |
Tuam Golf Club, County Galway |
| 10. |
Westport Golf Club, County Mayo
|
|
History View
History Map
Below is just a selection of historical
attractions to be found in the West region. For more information
click here
| 1. |
Boyle Abbey, County
Roscommon
One of the earliest Cistercian monastery foundations in Ireland,
founded in the 12th Century. It now houses exhibitions of Irish
history. |
| 2. |
Ceide Fields, County Mayo
Dating back to 5000BC, Ceide Fields is the most extensive stone
monument in the world and comprises the oldest enclosed landscape
in Europe. |
| 3. |
Dunguaire Castle, County Galway
Situated on the Clare/Galway road and built in the 1500s, this
castle hosts mediaeval banquets twice a night. |
| 4. |
Dun Aonghasa, Aran Islands,
County Galway
Dramatic stone fort perched on a cliff top almost 300 feet above
sea level. An extremely important, and vulnerable, archaeological
site. |
| 5. |
King House, Boyle, County Roscommon
Magnificently restored Georgian mansion built in 1730 by Sir
Henry King on a stunning location overlooking the River Boyle. |
| 6. |
Knock Shrine, County Mayo
The Virgin Mary, with St Joseph and St John the Evangelist,
appeared here on the 21 August, 1879, and it is now an internationally
recognized Marian Shrine. |
| 7. |
Kylemore Abbey & Gardens,
County Galway
Originally a Victorian-era castle, the Abbey now serves as the
home of the Benedictine nuns in Ireland. The gardens contain
around 10,000 trees. |
| 8. |
Strokestown Park House &
Famine Museum, County Roscommon
A restored 18th Century mansion with original furniture, Strokestown
is home to the National Famine Museum. A combination of original
documents and images interprets the famine. |
|
Luxury View
Luxury Map
Below is just a selection of luxury
attractions to be found in the West region. For more information
click here
| 1. |
Ashford Castle,
County Mayo
A romantic venue, dating back to 1228 offering guests both relaxation
and comfort. Activities include fishing, horse riding, golf,
falconry and walking. |
| 2. |
Cashel House Hotel, Connemara,
County Galway
This four-star retreat stands in the heart of Connemara and
is set in an award-winning garden of flowering shrubs and woodland
walks. |
| 3. |
Cloona Health Centre, County
Mayo
Open since 1973, this converted woolen mill has been tastefully
renovated and is a founder member of the health farms of Ireland. |
| 4. |
Delphi Mountain Resort, County
Galway
This truly luxurious spa has been voted one of the ten best
in the world. Perfect for forgetting the stresses of modern
life. |
| 5. |
Galway Bay Health Farm, Spa
& Relaxation Centre, County Galway
Intimate elegant and perfectly located on a 50 acre deer farm
on the shores of Galway Bay. |
| 6. |
Newport Country House &
Restaurant, County Mayo
A beautiful Georgian house, this has become a famous base for
those fishing the great rivers of Co Mayo. The dining room and
wine lists are superb. |
| 7. |
Rosmoney Spa & Seaweed baths,
County Mayo
A haven of seawater treatments, just 20feet from the sea beside
Westport town. Treatments include seaweed baths, balneotherapy,
algotherapy and a thallasotherapy pool. |
|
Scenery View
Scenery Map
Below is just a selection of scenic
attractions to be found in the West region. For more information
click here
| 1. |
Achill Island, County
Mayo
Beautiful, rugged and the largest island off the coast of Ireland,
it is linked by a bridge to mainland County Mayo. |
| 2. |
Aran Islands, County Galway
A unique landscape on the edge of Europe with ancient monuments,
awesome cliffs, patchwork fields and quiet beaches. |
| 3. |
Connemara National Park, County
Galway
Almost 3,000-hectares of wild open heaths, windswept grasslands
and deep glens. It’s home to red deer and native Connemara
ponies. |
| 4. |
Croagh Patrick, County Mayo
St Patrick spent 40 days and nights fasting on this 765-metre
high mountain near Westport, banishing dragons, snakes and demonic
forces from the site. |
| 5. |
Clew Bay, County Mayo An inlet
of the Atlantic with 365 islands. Seen at its best from the
peak of Croagh Patrick. |
| 6. |
Dogs Bay, Roundstone, County
Galway
Set back to back with Gurteen Bay that forms a join between
the mainland and an island. |
| 7. |
Killary Fjord, County Galway
This nine-mile inlet is the only fjord in Ireland. |
| 8. |
Lough Lannagh, Co Mayo
A truly stunning location, with views of Croagh Patrick in the
distance. |
|
|
