West Ireland tourist information
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The West of Ireland comprises the counties of Roscommon, Galway and Mayo. This
is Ireland at its wildest and most romantic, and includes the beautiful region
of Connemara, land of legends and mystery.
South of Galway City the land is gentler. Pretty Kinvarra sits on the southern
shore of Galway Bay, while further up the coast is Clarinbridge, famous
world-wide for its oysters. Gort is a convenient centre for exploring both
Galway and the Burren in County Clare, whilst 25 east of Galway City is Loughrea,
providing excellent fishing and numerous golf courses.
Galway City might be lacking in sights, but it more than makes up for it in
terms of atmosphere and a lively environment, with traditional music pubs next
door to chic nightclubs and enormous bars. A day at Galway Races is a real
treat, and the city boasts its own seaside resort at Salthill.
17 miles north-west of Galway is the market town of Oughterard, gateway to
Connemara and main centre for enjoying the fishing, boating and beaching on
Lough Corrib.
Connemara is a land of misty mountains, countless loughs and a deeply indented
coastline. The scenery will always delight, whether you choose to spend time in
the settlement of Carna Bay in the south, or in Roundstone fishing village from
where you can walk to the Isle of Inishnee, or in beautiful Cashel Bay.
Inland, drive from Ballinafad's salmon river and lakes via lovely Lough Inagh to
the Kylemore Pass with its lonely Abbey. Bustling Clifden is the main town in
Connemara, and is the perfect centre for exploring the area.
County Mayo is less well-known than Galway, but offers equally dramatic scenery,
and a better chance of escaping from the tourist trail. Westport is perhaps the
best known town, a fishing harbour surrounded by great beaches and well-known
for an authentic Irish music scene.
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Achill Island, off the west coast of Mayo but joined to it by a road bridge, is
genuinely remote. Keel boasts some gorgeous, all but deserted beaches.
Castlebar, the county town, is a good central location for exploring Mayo.
Ballina is famous as an angling centre, and is the starting point for the North
Mayo Sculpture Trail. Charlestown is on the border with Sligo and close to
Roscommon, so an ideal spot for touring this area.
Roscommon County is more rural in nature, and offers excellent fishing,
especially in the east, where Rooskey on the Shannon is well-placed to cater for
the angler. Roscommon town is worth a stop-over, with its Castle and Dominican
Priory. The River Suck Trail is nearby.
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