County Guide

West

The West stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the banks of the River Shannon, embracing Counties Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon. It is a rugged terrain of rock and stone, inlets and coves along the coastline, and many golden beaches. There are mountain ranges and woodlands of rowan, beech, sycamore, and wild rhododendrons. The Lough's (lakes) Corrib, Mask, and Conn divide the counties. Throughout the region there are prehistoric sties, monasteries, fortifications, and castles. Each county offers a variety of attractions, accommodations, sport activities, and a variety of entertainment and festivals, especially in the summer.

COUNTY GALWAY
County Galway, The City of Tribes, (in Irish Gaillimh). In ancient times there were fourteen families who controlled Galway. They were known as the Tribes of Galway. Galway is situated on the River Corrib. It was a thriving Anglo-Norman city because of the trade with Europe, especially France and Spain. The Spanish influence dominated the tribes, which was evident in the architecture, as with the Spanish Arch built in 1584.

Today Galway City is a growing and thriving university city, complemented by a high technology industry. The city offers the arts in theatre, museums, churches, and there is music everywhere from buskers in the streets to music in the pubs. A short five-minute drive from the city is the Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre. In the Hall of Tribes you learn of the merchants, seafarers, and artists who made up the original 14 tribes. You will learn about Claddagh Village and the famous claddagh ring, you also learn the story of the glass craft, showing the craftspeople at work. There is a showroom and restaurant available.

The western part of Galway is a 'An Ghaeltacht', the Gaeltacht areas, meaning the first language is Irish. The people speak, work, and think in a language that has unbroken links with pre-conquest Gaelic Ireland and further back in time. You will miss so much if you just pass through these areas. Take the coast road through Bearna to Carna, through An Spideal (Spiddal), An Cheathru Rua (Carraroe) and Sraith Salach (Recess). There are hidden islands linked by bridges and causeways, Leitir Moir (Lettermore), Leitir Meallain (Lettermullen) and Garumna (Gorumna).

West of Galway City lies the wild and beautiful Connemara (in Irish Croi an chultuir) area, bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean and Lough Corrib on the east. Many of the ancient Irish traditions and customs are preserved and savored with the Gaelic-speaking people. The most dominant feature of Connemara is the cluster of the Twelve Bens Mountain Range, also called the Twelve Pins Mountain Range with Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght. The mountain range offers spectacular high-level walking, overlooking hundreds of small lakes, wild bogs, and a rugged coastline.

Gorgeous scenery is available at Connemara National Park, covering 2000 hectares of mountains, bogs and heaths, and grasslands. Glanmore (large glen) forms the centre of the park and 10,000 years are displayed at the visitor center, with 3D models and displays. Much of the present park lands formed part of the Kylemore Abbey Estate and the Letterfrack Industrial School. Many remains of human presence can be seen in the park. The oldest are megalithic court tombs, some 4000 years old. Ruined houses and old walls are remains of a population of times past.

Kylemore Abbey, built in 1868, is home to the Irish Benedictine Nuns and a secondary school. Some activities available in Connemara are regattas at coastal villages with the Hookers and Curraghs, and other water sports. Galway's traditional fishing vessel is known as The Hooker. The Curragh is a long, narrow canoe like boat, sometimes made of oiled animal skins, over a wooden frame.

Throughout the county of Galway there is deep sea fishing, coarse and pike fishing, cruising, other water sports, horse racing, horse riding, golfing on championship courses and less challenging courses, motor sports, greyhound racing, cycling and a ferry trip to the Aran Islands, or watching the sun go down on Galway Bay.

THE ISLANDS

• The Aran Islands lie at the mouth of Galway Bay, a barren landscape of exposed limestone terraces ending in the shear three hundred foot Atlantic Cliffs. The Celtic cliff-edge fortress of Dun Aengus is of world importance. The cliffs and seas are home to gannets, choughs, otters, dolphins, and whales. The rocky crag provides a rich habitat for over 400 wild plants and flowers. The Aran Islands consist of three islands, Inis Oirr, Inis Meain, and Inis Moir.
• Inis Moir, also known as Inishmore, means Big Island. With a population of around 900 people, it is eight miles long and two miles wide. Ancient forts include Dun Aengus, the most famous, built on the edge of a sheer southern cliff. It has a defense forest of sharp stone spikes. Two smaller forts are Dun Eochla and Dun Duchathair. There are many ruins of stone churches on the island.
• Inis Meain is also known as Inishmaan, and means Middle Island. The island is three miles by two miles, with fields bordered by high dry stonewalls and marked by vast sheets of limestone rock. The island peaks at 300 feet and a series of giant terraces slope down to Galway Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. This is a Gaelic speaking population. The people make a living from farming and fishing. On the island's highest point is Dun Chunchuir, a fort built without mortar and with intricate stone patterns. It is thought to have been built between the 1st and 6th Centuries AD. A smaller stone fort is at Dun Fearbhai, above the boat slip and old pier at Baile an Mhothair. An Aran sweater factory, museum, guesthouses, and a pub are all on the island.
• Inis Oirr is also known as Inisheer, meaning Little Island. It is 27 miles from Galway, covers 1,400 acres, and has a population of about 300. This island is an outcrop of the Burren landscape, consisting of bare limestone that is used for the many cottages, stonewalls, roads, and pathways around the island. The Gaelic-speaking Island is a haven for birdwatchers and those interested in fauna and flora. The main attractions are An Loch Mor, a lake covering 16 acres with wildfowl. Dun Formna and O'Brien's Castle date from the 14th Century. There is also a holy well, Tobar E'inne.
• Inishbofin is one of the last bastions of civilization before America. It is a 40-minute ferry ride from the shores of Galway, and is five miles long by two miles wide. Noted for its splendid scenery and traditional music, there are only 180 people living on the island. There are bed & breakfast and hotel accommodations available. Enjoy good sessions in the pub, around the fireplace with a good pint.

COUNTY MAYO
County Mayo has a natural unspoiled environment where the native folk have enjoyed their harmony in nature for over 5,000 years. The county spans more than 5,300 kilometers. It stretches from Lough Corrib, and the long fjord of Killary Harbor in the south, to Killala Bay and Erris in the north. Continuing from Achill Island, Clew Bay, and the Mullet Peninsula, in the west, to the counties of Sligo and Roscommon in the east. The landscape of Mayo is bewitchingly beautiful. It is flat terrain in the east. There are island lakes, Lough Conn, Cullin, Carra, and Mask, and quartzite peaks along the Atlantic coast. The rugged cliffs are interspersed with flat sandy beaches. The bogs in the north contrast with the mountains in the south.

Special places of historical interest include Knock Marian Shrine and Pilgrimage Centre, where the Blessed Mother appeared over 150 years ago. Croagh Patrick is the mountain where St. Patrick prayed and fasted for the 40 days of Lent. It is a place of pilgrimage. On the last Sunday in July many people climb the mountain in bare feet as a means of sacrifice. At the foot of Croagh Patrick is the National Famine Memorial.

Ceide Fields is an extensive Stone Age enclosed farmland site covering 24 square miles. It has a visitor centre located in North Mayo. The Ceide Fields are older than the Egyptian Pyramids. The Granuaile Centre explores the legends and history of Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen of Mayo, and a fiery and passionate woman whose goal was to rid her country of the invaders. There are quite a few heritage and visitors centres throughout the county. Visiting them is an excellent way to learn Mayo's history.

• Ballina, in the Moy Valley, is the largest city in Mayo and has one of the oldest histories with numerous megalithic tombs to visit. For a fisherman, the River Moy is ideal for its abundance of salmon and trout.

  There are a myriad of activities available throughout Mayo including game and sea fishing, diving, sailing, horse riding, and 18-hole and 9-hole championship golf courses. There are walking trails and adventure centres.

• Westport is situated on the shores of Clew Bay. The heritage town is the largest coastal town in Mayo. Many excellent beaches and water sports are located here. Sailing and yachting are available. Westport offers locally made knitwear and pottery, and sponsors an arts festival each September.

THE ISLANDS

• Achill Island is joined to the mainland by a causeway. The island has splendid cliff scenery, drives and walks, very good beaches, and sea and shore fishing. The mountains around the coast provide vantage points to enjoy the sea and landscape. This island has a thriving community, and offers a variety of accommodations, attractions, gorgeous scenery, and entertainment, or solitude, if you choose.
• Clare Island is a part of Clew Bay. The 17th Century Grace O'Malley resided here and ruled the lands around Clew Bay. Good diving is available here, as well as excellent sea fishing. There are various archaeological sites and superb cliff scenery.
• Other Islands include Inishturk and Inishbiggle.

COUNTY ROSCOMMON
County Roscommon is an inland county in the west of Ireland, with fertile woodlands, ecclesiastical ruins, lakes and rivers, lovely villages, and lively market towns. The chief towns are Roscommon, Strokestown, Boyle, Elphin, Loughlynn, Ballaghadereen, Castlerea, and Knockcroghery. The county offers many game, coarse, and pike fishing centres, and cruising on Carrick-on-Shannon. Several towns offer horse riding, walking trails, bird watching, and golfing.

• Roscommon, the town, is home to 13th Century Roscommon Castle that had seen many owners until it was destroyed at the Battle of Aughrim in the 17th Century, now a ruin.
• Strokestown is most noted for the Famine Museum at Strokestown Park House. It tells the story of the consecutive English laws enacted to suppress and destroy Irish trade and manufacturing. When the Great Hunger occurred from 1845 to 1850, there was nothing left for the Irish except death or emigration.
• Castlerea is the ancestral land of the O'Connor Clan, who gave 11 high kings to Ireland. , With over 10,000 manuscripts, the family history is archived at Clonalis House starting from 75AD.
• Athlone is situated on the River Shannon in the Centre of Ireland and one of the fastest growing towns. It is estimated that because of its unprecedented growth rate, it will become Ireland's next City. Visit the Athlone Central Information Services.
  

COUNTY CLARE
County Clare is a year round destination offering many natural wonders within the county. It is an ideal walking and fishing area, with hundreds of small lakes and streams with brown trout and coarse fish, and numerous water sports. This is an area with a wealth of traditional music, dance, and drama.

In North Clare is the Burren, a lunar landscape of terraced glaciated limestone, covering over 200 miles. In Ballyvaughan is the Alwee Caves, caverns of stalactites, stalagmites, and a waterfall.

Located in Clare are the famous Cliffs of Moher, 700 feet above the sea, with a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. O'Brien's Tower was constructed in the 19th Century as a viewing point for the cliffs. There is Knappogue Castle, built in 1467 by Sean MacNamara, which offers a medieval banquet and features 'Women in Irish History'. The town of Doolin boasts the magic of the music. From here you can take a short ferry trip to the Aran Islands. Lisdoonvarna hosts the Matchmaking Festival each September.

Mid Clare offers Bunratty Folk Park, a 19th Century village with a living museum and a teashop. The village people are dressed in period costume and a Ceili (Kay Lee) which is a gathering of people for music, fun and dance, takes place each evening. Bunratty Castle, built in the 15th Century, offers a Medieval Banquet, with traditional music and dance as the featured entertainment. Tour the Craggaunowen Bronze Age Project, a prehistoric park depicting ancient Celtic life.

• Ennis, the capital of Clare, is another wonderful town for traditional music. There are numerous sites to explore.