INTO THE WEST
This summer Roisin & her family explored County Clare, and Marie & her family explored Galway & Mayo! Here are their Top 10 activities for the West of Ireland!
1. Ailwee Caves
Located in the heart of The Burren on the Wild Atlantic Way, you will find these amazing caves stretching back over 330 million years. Don’t miss The bear skull that has been radiocarbon dated to the Early Mesolithic Period and is 10,400 years old.
2. Cruising on the Killary Fjord
Enjoy a cruise on Ireland’s only glacial fjord. See and hear all about the natural and social history of the Fjord as well as the ancient mythology surrounding these waters and uninterrupted views of the “savage beauty” of North Connemara’s spectacular scenery.
3. Seaweed Baths in Connemara
Enjoy a relaxing seaweed bath to rejuvenate your skin and let the stresses fade away. Enjoy the amazing saltwater baths with fresh seaweed in this fun and unusual pastime.
4. Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Set on 26 acres of unspolit Clare countryside, Bunratty Folk Park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting. Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time
5. Mobile Sauna on the beaches of Connemara
As sea swimming is the coolest thing to do in Ireland since Covid, we need to warm ourselves up after our Atlantic Dip. Try a mobile sauna which can park up at the beach to make the chilly swimming a little more fun.
6. Omey Island
The island is only accessible when the tide is out, and is a real treat. With the remnants of old churches and towns the island feels untouched and only has a few inhabitants these days. Enjoy the views, the old stone walls and nature.
7. Surfing in Connemara
Grabbing a wave along the Wild Atlantic Way is a real treat. Ballyconneely is the peninsula, jutting into the Atlantic between Clifden, Co Galway to the north and Roundstone to the south, it contains some of the most tranquil, unspoilt and interesting beaches and countryside to be found anywhere in the country.
8. Fish and Chips in Vaughn’s Liscannor
For the best Fish and Chips head to Vaughn’s. This family run Seafood Restaurant offers the best in Seafood but the Fish and Chips are a must!
9. Kylemore Abbey
This breathtaking Abbey sitting proudly on Pollacapall Lough is a fabulous day out, with Victorian walled gardens, Neo-Gothic Church. It is full of stories of love and loss. Don’t forgot to try their award winning Apple Pie!
10. Cliff walk at Kilkee, Co Clare
The Kilkee Cliff walk is a scenic 8km moderate loop walk along the Kilkee Cliffs starting the Diamond Rocks Café. This stunning walk starts from the unmissable natural swimming pools known as the Pollock Holes and passes some great places of interest.
