West of Ireland Wonders

Arrive into Shannon Airport and make your way to the Hertz Car Rental desk, where you will collect the keys for your rental car. Begin your journey by travelling north to Galway, the largest county in Connaught.

Galway is celebrated in song and story throughout the world and takes centre stage on Ireland’s western seaboard. A spectacularly beautiful county, it is a medley of contrasts the wildest and remotest of countryside teamed with one of Europe’s most vibrant and popular cities.  Take a stroll around Galway City, visiting areas such as Eyre Square, Lynch’s Castle, the Spanish Arch and the Famous Claddagh.

Hotel Stay: The Hardiman Hotel, Galway City (or similar). (B&B Basis).

Today, you might like to explore one of the many islands off the coast of Galway. You will have a few options for island exploring.

The Aran Islands. 

A short ferry crossing in the morning will transport you to a island that will not be replicated anywhere else in the world. Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr are the three islands that make up the rugged Aran Islands. Inis Mór is the largest of the three, and has an abundance of dramatic cliffs and early Christian and Celtic sites.

Inishbofin Island

Even further west is Inishbofin Island, where you will experience simple and traditional Irish life. Departing from Cleggan in West Connemara, the short ferry journey will transport you to this compact island, where traditional Irish living dominates. Hire a bike at the pier side and ride around the island, taking in the magnificent scenery.

After a day at the island of your choice, return to the mainland and drive back to Galway for overnight.

Hotel Stay: The Hardiman Hotel, Galway City (or similar). (B&B Basis).

Today, you can explore the wild and rugged region of Connemara, made famous by a number of well-known movies such as “The Quiet Man” and “The Field”. The Gaelic speaking region of Connemara is a wild and beautiful region of mountains, lakes, tumbling streams undulating bog, unspoilt beaches and panoramic views. It’s composed of mountain peaks, the Twelve Bens or Pins, which culminate in Benbaun.

You should not miss the opportunity to visit Kylemore Abbey & Gardens, the only home of the Benedictine nuns in Ireland. In Leenane have a photo stop at Killary Fjord, Ireland’s only fjord.

Hotel Stay: The Hardiman Hotel, Galway City (or similar). (B&B Basis).

Depart Galway this morning and discover Mayo today. Stop off in Cong, a small village famous for its 12th century abbey, the magnificent Ashford Castle, and most popularly, its association with the classic John Wayne movie, The Quiet Man.

You may like to stop at the award-winning Museum of Country Life, home to the National Folklife Collection. With exhibitions spread over four floors, the Museum gives its visitors a unique opportunity to see how the people of Ireland lived in the hundred years between the Great Famine & the end of the 1950’s.

Westport is special; the essence of Ireland’s magical west. Nestling safe at the foot of towering Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay and its enchanting islands, the town weaves its spell around everyone it meets. Unique and charming, Westport is a captivating blend of traditional and modern.

Hotel Stay: The Westport Coast Hotel, Westport, County Mayo (or similar). (B&B Basis).

Today, you might like to explore Knock Shrine and the Ceide Fields.

The story of Knock in Co. Mayo began in 1879 when fifteen people from the village witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, a Lamb and cross on an altar at the gable wall of the Parish Church. Every care is taken to ensure that Knock Shrine & it’s gardens are impeccably displayed for all visiting pilgrims to enjoy.

Onto the Ceide Fields, where beneath the wild boglands of north Mayo lies a system of fields, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs, which together make up the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world.

Hotel Stay: The Westport Coast Hotel, Westport, County Mayo (or similar). (B&B Basis).

Travel south today through County Clare & the Burren area, a living place teeming with nature’s bounty: ordinary and exotic rocks, limestone, plants, animals, insects and birds. Its geology and diverse habitats are packed with startling features and surprising landforms.

Discover Doolin, a charming small fishing village on the northwest coast of County Clare & renowned world-wide as the traditional music capital of Ireland. Set against the rugged Atlantic Ocean & surrounded by the spectacular bare limestone landscape of the Burren, it is a place of breathtaking beauty.

Stop off for a visit at County Clare’s iconic Cliffs of Moher – Soaring to 214m, the striated stone reaches its long fingers southward to counties Cork and Kerry beyond, with a keen eye from O’Brien’s Tower even able to spot the Aran Islands to the north.

Continue to Bunratty, where you will overnight for your final night in the West of Ireland.

Hotel Stay: The Bunratty Castle Hotel, County Clare (Or similar) (B&B Basis).

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive to Shannon Airport. Return the keys for your rental vehicle and make your way to the departure lounge for your flight home.

Slan Abhaile! (Safe home!)

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