Weekend in the west – call to Connemara!

Hotel, which is cradled by the Twelve Bens mountain range, white sandy shores and gin blue waters of Mannin Bay. There is no better place from which to relax, explore or become immersed in vibrant local culture. Email reservations@connemarasands-hotel. com or call (095) 23030 to book a stay. On your way to the hotel, be sure to stop off and see Coral Strand. The coral sand is made from detached red calcified seaweed, maërl, otherwise known as coralline algae. It almost feels like you’re in the Great Barrier Reef!

Take a Seaweed Bath

Experience the power of Atlantic Ocean seaweed at Connemara Sands Hotel’s Luxury Spa & Baths. An ideal way to unwind after a busy day.

Inagh side, ascend to the chapel, and return back the same way. To keep going to Maam village would require transport arranged on the far side. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Máméan by car from Currarevagh Country House.

3. Tully Mountain

This is around a three-hour hike to the top of Tully Mountain on the Renvyle Peninsula. Amazing views of the famous Inishbofin Island and The Twelve Bens Mountain Range greet you from the top. Technically, it’s a hill and not a mountain, so it’s not too steep or difficult to climb. Tully Mountain is approximately one hour and 15 minutes from Currarevagh Country House.

Lunch suggestion: Veldons Seafarer in Letterfrack, with its old-world nautical feel, or the Misunderstood Heron in Derrynacleigh, Leenaun, which has spectacular views of the majestic Killary Fjord.

3pm:

Kylemore Abbey – Abbey & Victorian Walled Gardens

Kylemore Abbey & Gardens is one of Ireland’s best-loved tourist attractions, while also being a haven of beauty, history, nature and serenity. Spend the afternoon exploring the six-acre Victorian Walled Garden, with its delightfully restored garden buildings, formal flower, vegetable and herb gardens.

Road trip playlist

Along with planning an itinerary, planning an epic playlist for the trip is just as important! Irish singer-songwriter Erica Cody selects her top songs to add to your road trip playlist and speaks about her own travel plans discover the stories of this famous site and its history.

“When it comes to driving, music has always been a form of escapism for me,” says Erica.

“I think it’s fair to say we all have our own soundtracks to our lives, and some of my fondest memories as a child, and now as an adult, is the music that would be played in the car going to and from rehearsals, road trips or my basketball training sessions.

To collect bikes, drive into Clifden, approximately a 12-minute drive from Connemara Sands Hotel, and park your car. All Things Connemara on Market St can provide bikes and is just 3km from the start of the Derrigimlagh trail. Contact Jonathan at All Things Connemara (095) 22630.

Afternoon – Take the drive from Ballyconneely to Roundstone

No trip to Connemara is complete without stopping off in the quaint and picturesque fishing village of Roundstone. Strolling through the town, you’ll discover some fantastic craft shops and cafés, as well as a long-standing second-hand shop filled with vintage couture.

En route to Roundstone, stop off at Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Bay. These beaches lie back-to-back, forming a tombolo jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Eating suggestion: If you fancy a bite to eat before heading home, the fish of the day at Vaughan’s is pretty unbeatable. Whatever the catch, you can be sure it’s fresh out of the sea that day and will sell out very quickly!

For more itineraries and inspiration, visit discoverireland.ie

“I spent so much time in the car with my Dad on the weekends. I still remember where and what song would get me to wherever I was heading. love feeling nostalgic and being able to take trips down memory lane, and a playlist for a long road trip is the perfect time to reminisce.”

Erica says that is the reason why having a good playlist full of golden oldies and her favourite songs to-date is always key for her when preparing for a road trip, “The nostalgia and escapism makes it hard to turn off when you finally reach your destination! My top five songs to add to a playlist are:

 ‘Ungodly Hour’ by Chloe X Halle

 ‘Experience’ by Victoria Monet

 ‘Leave The Door Open’ by Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak

 ‘Me, Myself and I’ by Beyonce

 ‘Gimme More’ by Britney Spears

Erica adds she has fond memories of travelling in the west on her first Irish tour as

Discover woodland and lakeshore walks that will take you on a beautiful journey through the 1,000-acre estate. Restored period rooms and a multimedia experience immerse visitors in the stories and lives of the many generations that have passed through the estate. For more information on Kylemore Abbey, opening times and to book your visit, visit kylemoreabbey.com. Under 16s go free.

5pm:

Make your way to Clifden and explore the Sky Road Drive

The exhilarating 11km Sky Road Drive has phenomenal views of Clifden Bay, Streamstown Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean out one window of your car, and the stunning Irish landscape out the other. Pitstop for your picnic at one of these spots:

 The D’arcy Monument – A small monument commemorating Clifden’s founder John D’Arcy. The view of the town from this spot is spectacular, with the Twelve Ben Mountains in the background.

Clifden Castle – The castle gatehouse first comes into view on your left. Park your car here and walk the farm road that leads to the ruined castle.

 Sky Road Summit –Breathtaking views from the top of the Sky Road.

Evening – Check in to the Connemara Sands Hotel

For the second night of your Connemara weekend, check into the Connemara Sands

Evening – Dinner at the Sands Bar & Restaurant

Enjoy an authentic Irish meal, and some drinks, at the hotel’s restaurant. From Almond Crusted Organic Irish Salmon to Bernard King’s Organic Leenane Lamb, there’s something for all taste buds.

SUNDAY

10am:

Kayak at Mannin Bay

After breakfast at Connemara Sands Hotel, visit Mannin Bay, which is host to some remarkable scenery, sea life, white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. On a kayaking tour, you will be taken out to spectacular locations, where you will be provided with snorkelling gear, so you can have a look for yourself at the beauty of the underwater world.

Check out Connemara Wild Escapes (connemarawildescapes.ie) for guided kayaking tours of Mannin Bay. All necessary equipment is provided including sit-on-top kayaks, paddles, wetsuits, buoyancy aids and snorkelling gear. All you need to bring is your swimming togs, a towel and a pair of trainers you don’t mind getting wet. Price is €80.66 per person; minimum two people is required for tour to proceed.

Lunch suggestion: Sweet Nothings Café, Ballyconneely, a vegetarian and vegan café.

2pm: Cycle the Derrigimlagh/Marconi Loop

The Derrigimlagh/Marconi loop provides visitors with a 5km trail through an area of outstanding natural beauty within the Derrygimlagh bog complex. Visitors can a support act for singer Mahalia. “Our final stop was in the Roisin Dubh in Galway and was the perfect city to wrap up the tour. We started out on the tour barely knowing each other and by the end we ended up sisters.”

Erica adds, “I’m a sentimentalist, so Galway is a lovely reminder of friendship and how much we’ve both grown since then!”

Erica, who is an ambassador for the allelectric Volkswagen ID.3, says she is looking forward to travelling around the west this summer. “I’m really most looking forward to visiting Sligo, so can spend some time with my Mom. She has a place in the countryside that can’t wait to escape to!”

Erica has been working on a lot of new music, projects and collaborations, and says it has been a long process. “I’m happy to say the new music has been tried and tested in the car and definitely passes the test. All my fellow artists know about the car test for demos!” So expect some new music by Erica to add to your playlist soon, perfect for long journeys in the west!

Follow Erica on Instagram: @ericacody

Looking to visit lesscrowded places this summer? When two roads diverge in a wood, taking the one less travelled can make all the difference. Travel writer Shauna McCrudden has the ultimate guide to hidden gems in the west of Ireland

 Mystery hideaway

The ominous name, Murder Hole Beach, may be the reason this beach is so secluded! Its real name is actually Boyeeghter Bay in Co Donegal, and the nickname likely comes from aggressive tides which make swimming in the sea somewhat dangerous, so it’s advised to avoid swimming here. But it is truly one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see. When I visited this stunning beach, I found it was dotted with small caves and surrounded by stunning cliffs, which was a great sight while I dipped my toes in the sand and sea.

To get to the beach, drive to Melmore Head on the Rosguill Peninsula in northern Donegal. This drive takes you through beautiful, remote land, which might actually distract you from your destination! As the mysterious beach cannot be accessed by car, you’ll need to park your car at Melmore, and head to the entrance of the privately-owned field where you can hike to Murder Hole beach. I got there quite early in the day, so I had no trouble finding a place to park, but it can get busier during the summer months. It is requested that visitors do not bring any pets to the beach, as the farmer who owns the field generously allows visitors to access the beach by crossing his land where he keeps sheep and cows. So do be respectful.

 Alpaca your bags

One of the most unique locations in the west is West Cork Waterfall Alpaca Farm. The farm is steeped in history with its own Bronze Age Stone Row, a 16th-century