greattovisit places some

Ballyconneely

The winding coast road of Ballyconneely takes you through one of Connemara’s popular holiday destinations. Glorious sandy beaches are inescapable, even at the world-renowned Connemara Championship Golf Links. In summertime, the village itself enjoys a vibrant atmosphere, but make sure to explore the many quiet byroads as these will open up the peaceful treasures hidden along this stretch of coast.

Carna

The village of Carna is a gateway to the Irishspeaking Gaeltacht region, famed for its seannós (old style) singing, dancing, folklore and storytelling. The most famous past resident is Joe Heaney, Ireland’s greatest storyteller in the native tongue. The Emigrant’s Commemorative Centre tells Carna’s saga of mass emigration, and was opened in 2014 by Boston mayor Marty Walsh, himself a descendant of the area.

Ceantar Na Noile N

Like shells on a necklace, this archipelago is linked by causeways keeping its cluster of islands tethered to the South Connemara Gaeltacht. As you pass through Lettermore, Gorumna and Lettermullan, the landscape becomes increasingly rocky and low-lying. Traversing its gently undulating road, keep an eye out for Napoleonic ruins, traditional currachs, and the Aran Islands on the southern horizon.

Cleggan And Claddaghduff

The busy harbour of Cleggan is both a departure point for the Inishbofin island ferries as well as a refuelling hub for those in search of seafood and live music. A number of splendid beaches and coves lie just past the village on the Aughrus peninsula, including the tranquil Salerna and the famous Omey Strand and tidal island. Popular annual events in this area include the Festival of the Sea, and the Cleggan Fringe Festival.

Clifden

The unofficial Capital of Connemara and the axis on which everything in the region turns. Since its founding in 1812, Clifden’s position between the mountains and ocean continues to attract multitudes each year, some of whom never leave. Annual highlights include the Connemara Pony Show, Clifden Trad Fest, Ireland’s longest running arts festival, Clifden Arts Festival. An eclectic mix of shops, bars, and cafes lies in store.

Inishbofin Island

The largest populated island in western Connemara, Inishbofin is a bounteous place to visit, what with its monastic and archaeological history, dramatic cliffs, gorgeous beaches, rich wildlife, and inviting hospitality. A network of walking and cycling routes makes it easily chartered in a matter of hours. Legendary traditional music in its bars, meanwhile, do their best to make you miss the ferry back to Cleggan.

Killary Fjord And Leenane

Right on the county border of Galway and Mayo, the village of Leenane is huddled between the feet of towering mountains and the shores of Ireland’s only fjord, Killary Harbour. Cyclists, kayakers, ramblers, and mountaineers have all felt the pull, with a recently established mountainwalking festival now drawing many enthusiasts annually. Leenane also welcomed Hollywood in 1980 as the backdrop for Jim Sheridan’s The Field.