Explore Connaught

Westport House

Kylemore Abbey

Few places on earth have the tranquillity and beauty of Kylemore Abbey and its majestic Victorian walled garden, which won the prestigious Europa Nostra Award in 2002.Th e garden comprises of roughly 6 acres and is divided in two by a natural mountain stream. Th e eastern half comprises of the fl ower or pleasure garden, glass houses and gardeners’ houses. While the kitchen garden makes up the other half of the garden and is predominantly given over to the growing of food.

Arigna Mining Experience

Discover what coal mining life was like for coal miners in the Arigna Valley in Roscommon from the 1700’s until its closure in 1990. Visit the exhibition area to discover the history of the mine and then take an underground tour of the mine, where the methods used to extract coal are demonstrated, with lighting and sound eff ects added for authenticity.

Mullaghmore

Mullaghmore is one of the surfi ng capitals of the Irish Atlantic coastline, and is recognised as one of the top surfi ng destinations in the world. Surfers and windsurfers from all over the world have ridden waves up to 15 metres (49 ft ) high off Mullaghmore Head. Th e area is also safe for bathing, and has all the modern facilities that you could wish for to make your stay enjoyable.

Glencar Waterfall

Glencar Waterfall is situated near Glencar Lake, 11 kilometres west of Manorhamilton, County Leitrim. It is particularly impressive aft er rain and can be viewed from a lovely wooded walk. Th e most dramatic waterfall descends from a 50ft rocky headland into a deep pool below in a haze of white spray. A paved path to the viewing area provides a wonderful vantage point from which to view the waterfall which is particularly spectacular during wet conditions. Westport House is one of the fi nest country houses in Ireland and since it opened to the public in the 1960s, over four million visitors have passed through its doors. Th ere are over 30 rooms on show, where visitors can immerse themselves in over 500 years of history, going back to the time when the Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley ruled the estate. Th ere is loads for the whole family to enjoy on the estate, including the Pirate Adventure Park, the Birds of Prey Centre and the Westport Train Tour.

www.WestportHouse.ie

National Museum of Ireland - Country Life

Th e National Museum of Ireland - Country Life in Turlough Park, Castlebar houses exhibits showing how rural people in Ireland lived from the time of the Great Famine right up until the 1950s. Th e museum features four levels of interactive displays and exhibitions that off er a fascinating insight into the lives of the rural Irish people in years gone by.

Connemara

Connemara is a world of unspoilt natural beauty, rolling hills, leafy glens and crystal clear mountain streams all overlooked by towering majestic mountains. Travel from the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog, to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean. Th is wondrous landscape is bounded on the West, South and North by the Atlantic Ocean.

Dún Aonghasa

Located on Inismór in the Aran Islands, Dún Aonghasa is one of the best examples of a semi-circular stone fort in Europe. Located on the 300ft cliff side on the south of the island, it is one of Ireland’s most visited attractions and off ers stunning views that stretch the length of the island.

Croagh Patrick

Croagh Patrick is 5 miles from the picturesque town of Westport, and its conical shape soars majestically above the surrounding countryside, off ering spectacular views of Clew Bay and the surrounding countryside. It was on the summit of this mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD, and the custom has been faithfully handed down from generation to generation. On the last day in July 25,000 pilgrims climb it, and over a million people visit Croagh Patrick every year.