West
Find the Flavor of the West of Ireland.
Ireland’s West Coast has a charm, cultural heritage and geographical variety all of it’s own, with mountain scenery , a unique lunar landscape and long stretches of golden sands arresting the senses with their invigorating appeal. From the misty mountains of Donegal in the North West, south through the wild wilderness of Connemara and sown to the mouth of the River Shannon, where it greets the atlantic Ocean, seafood, unsurprisingly is the constant theme.
Sea vegetables are gathered and dries as a local delicacy and sumptuous shellfish are in plentiful supply wherever you go. While the Galway Oyster Festivals are world famous, there are many seafood festivals up and sown the crashing Atlantic coastline, along with plenty of great places in which to enjoy a meal and soak up the atmosphere – from medieval banquets in restored castles (Bunratty and Knappogue) to award winning restaurants and pretty country pubs. In Connemara, however, a speciality not to be missed is hill lamb.
In bustling Galway and Limerick, and in towns like Donegal, Sligo, Ballina and Carrick-on-Shannon, you’ll find award winning restaurants and welcoming pubs, where the whole family can enjoy hearty lunches, or relax to the infectious rhythm of Irish traditional music in the evenings.
The flavours of the West Coast are wide ranging. From Sligo’s edible seaweeds carrageen and dillisk, native oysters and the Burrens distinctive flora scented honey to Connemara Hill Lamb, delectable farmhouse cheeses, such as Oisin organic goat’s and cow cheeses, St. Tola Goats cheese and Cratloe Hills Sheep Cheese.
The pristine Atlantic shores give rise to glistening fresh fish and selfish while the unique landscape of the Burren delivers preserves made from wild harvests of hazelnuts, sloes, rowanberries, fraughans and blackberries. Further indulgence flows from the unique Irish drinks found in the region ranging from porter to stout, ales and beers from local microbreweries. Meanwhile, these idyllic rural counties also produce a huge selection of dry cured bacon, ham, oak smoked lamb, turf smoked beef plus cured sausages and salami.
Some local specialties include the Seaweed Flavored Sausages from LoTide Fine Foods in Co. Mayo, Clare Island organic fresh salmon, Kinvara Smoked Salmon and Eel, Mead and Poitin from Bunratty Castle Winery and the Biddy Early Brewery which produces a beer made from Carrageen Moss (Seaweed) and Bog Myrtle. Furtermore, a number of speciality food festivals with local fresh and organic produce are organized throughout the West such as The Donegal Bay Food and Wine Experience (June), Killybegs Seafood Festival (June-July), The Galway International Oyster Festival (September), Clarenbridge Oyster Festival (September) and Harverst Feast, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim (September). Also, farmers markets are a regulat fixture at the following locations: Galway City Market (Saturdays), Ennis Town Farmers Market (Friday Mornings) and Donegal Town Market (One Saturday every month).
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Explore the Aran Islands – On the Edge of Europe
Here, on the very edge of Europe, is a group of Islands rich in the language, culture and heritage of Ireland, unique in their geology and archaeology and in their long tradition of gentle hospitality. Here is a place to sense the spirit of Gaelic Ireland, to touch the past, but with all the comforts and facilities of the present. The Aran Islands will take you back to an Ireland of Celts and Early Christians. This is an island of great peace and tranquility, but it is also an island of great fun and activity. Experience a timeless land in an endless sea, weathered monuments on awesome cliffs, great labyrinths of limestone, meandering walls, patchwork fields, quiet beaches and a welcoming island people. Compromised of three islands, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oirr visitors will find a wealth of attractions and activities to immerse in while on the islands.
At approximately 14 kms (8.7 miles) in length and 3.8 kms(2.4 miles) in width, Aran, the largest of the islands, is a walker's paradise. Feel the peace and listen to the silence, between sea and sky, on craggy cliffs or all along a quiet, indented coastline. Aran has an abundance of wildlife and some 437 varieties of wild flowers. If pedalling is your pleasure hire a bike in Kilronan village and meander at will around this lovely island or take a pony and trap, or a guided tour with a modern minibus, from the pier. Alternatively, see Aran on horseback along the pathways of history on this unique island. Swim in unpolluted seas, study rare flowers and wildlife, write, paint, take pictures, fish for a specimen or just relax, unwind and learn spoken Irish in this bilingual community or visit the Aran Heritage Centre. And when the Celtic twilight comes, drop in for a quiet pint, or enjoy a wealth of Irish music and dance, at a village or spontaneous session in an Island pub.
Dún Aengus is the most famous of several prehistoric forts on the Aran Islands, located on Inis Mor at the edge of an approximately 100 metre high cliff. A popular tourist attraction, Dún Aengus is an important archaeological site that also offers a spectacular view. It was built during the Bronze Age and dates from 1,000 B.C. or before and has been called “the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe”.
Inis Meáin is in the middle of the three Aran Islands. It is separated from the other two islands by 1.5 kms (1 mile) of sea. It measures 5 kms (3 miles) in length by 3 kms (2 miles) in width. Inis Oirr the Eastern Island, is the nearest to Doolin in Co. Clare, just 9.5 kms (6 miles) away. It is the smallest of the three islands, measuring 3 kms in length by 3 kms in width (2 miles by 2 miles).
In addition to these three islands, one should consider the other four islands off the West Coast of Ireland in the form of Inishbofin, Inishturk, Clare Island and Achill Island. Indeed, regular ferries run to all seven islands (except Achill, which has a land bridge), and you can even fly to the Aran Islands – a scenic flight taking all of 10 minutes. It just couldn’t be easier!
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Charismatic Connemara and Kylemore Abbey
"Connemara is a savage beauty" - Oscar Wilde
From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you're in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone of the landscape.
Connemara has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland. This natural terrain and unspoilt environment offers the visitor a wonderland of sights, experiences, adventure and activities. The people are warm, friendly and extend a hospitality which is the essence of Ireland and with a variety of activity options such as walking, cycling, painting, shooting, fishing or golfing, Connemara is a splendid destination
Indeed, this area of legend, mystique and folklore is a rugged landscape where even the trees bend to the wind. Travelling into the legendary Connemara region from the shores of Galway Bay presents some magnificent scenery for visitors as one travels through traditional Irish speaking villages such as Spiddal whilst experiencing breathtaking views, hidden coastal beaches with turquoise colored waters.
Picturesque Maam Cross, also known as the Connemara crossroads, has a replica of the cottage used in the 1950’s John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara film, “The Quiet Man”, which was filmed here locally. Following Maam Cross, the quaint village of Leenane is another notable point of interest with Ireland’s only “Fjord” at the local harbour while the nearby Kylemore Abbey is an exquisite setting set in the natural ambience of the beautiful surrounding setting. Kylemore Abbey is the Monastic home of the Benedictine Order of Nuns in Ireland and is steeped in the Benedictine tradition of warmth and hospitality spanning over 1500 years. This 18th century castle also offers an excellent pottery, giftshop and restaurant here. Further notable points of interest include Letterfrack, which is one of Ireland’s major national parks, and the colorful town of Clifden, which has been one of Irelands leading holiday resorts for generations.
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County Mayo – Simply Magical
Jutting proudly into the Atlantic Ocean, County Mayo boasts a stunningly beautiful unspoilt environment with a magical attraction for visitors. Cosmopolitan towns such as Westport positively burst with charm and personality, as welcoming as the Mayo people themselves. The standard and availability of accommodation is excellent. Unique attractions include Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain with the starkly beautiful National Famine Memorial at its foot; Westport House Estate, ancestral home of the Browne family, Knock Shrine, scene of an miraculous apparition in 1879 and Ballintubber Abbey, the Abbey that refused to die.
History comes alive at the world famous Céide Fields near Ballycastle in North Mayo, at Foxford Woollen Mills, Hennigans Heritage Farm and the new National Museum of Ireland's Museum of Country Life, which opened in Autumn 2001 just outside Castlebar, the county town. Sporting opportunities abound especially fishing of all sorts including the River Moy in Ballina where the salmon is king.
There are watersports, hiking and walking, golf links and courses, horseriding and cycling… the list is endless. Sandy beaches, clear waters and beautiful islands. Superb restaurants, pubs of character and of course the irresistable tumbling melodies of traditional Irish music spilling onto the streets. Quite simply Mayo is Amazing!
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Destination Westport
Few towns in Ireland can match Westport's charisma & continental flavour! Cheerful, multi-coloured shopfronts jostle for attention with an attractive selection of pubs, shops, cafés & restaurants. In 2006 Westport was once again named Ireland's Tidiest Town - the committee beat off competition from almost 700 entrants to land the coveted prize.
Westport has a gracious town centre in the Georgian architectural style, as one of the few planned towns in the country (by James Wyatt in 1780). The planning of the town was commissioned by Lord Sligo of the stately home, Westport House, as a place for his workers and subjects to live. Among the most picturesque features of the town is its tree-lined, flower decorated, promenade (The Mall) and little stone bridges along the river Carrow Beg. Westport is a designated heritage town and the charming Quay area is just a few minutes from the town centre and possesses a unique character of its own with pubs, restaurants and hotels now occupying the old coastguard station and warehouses
The famous pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick, known locally as "the Reek" lies some 10km west of the town near Murrisk. The mountain presents a striking backdrop to the town. The church on the summit can just be made out with the naked eye from Westport. In Westport, you can enjoy a variety of water sports, challenge the famous Mountain, relaxing spa treatments, island-hopping, championship golf courses, hillwalking, horse riding and fishing.
Shannon:
Dunguaire Castle, Aillwee Caves, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Cliffs of Moher, Atlantic Coast Drive
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