GALWAY to WESTPORT
HIGHLIGHTS
- Coral Strand Beach (Trá an Dóilín), Carraroe. The beach is made up of billions of crushed white corals. Dog’s Bay and Gurteen, in Roundstone, are also worth seeing.
- Doo Lough Pass (Dúloch). Brown grasslands dotted with rust and purple, with flowers that look like cotton wool.
- Dún Aengus (Dún Aonghasa). The most famous of the prehistoric forts of the Aran Islands, on the edge of a cliff that sinks into the Atlantic.
- Ballynahinch Castle. In the Connemara mountains, a romantic country house for eco-sustainable nights, on the banks of a river with plenty of fish.
- Inis Meain Knitting Company. Tradition and modern designs for handmade jumpers at the end of the world.
- Croagh Patrick (Cruach Phadraig). The top of the holiest mountain in Ireland can be reached in two hours of hard walking, along the pilgrims’ path.
- Matt Molloy’s, Westport. Music every night in the pub which has been open since 1896. The owner is Matt Molloy, the Chieftains flautist.
- Omey Island (Lomaidh), Claddaghduff. An amazing island to be reached on foot, at low tide. Not paying attention to currents could be dangerous.
- Twelve Beans (Benna Beola). Visible from all over Connemara, the mountain with twelve peaks, the highest being Benbaun with 727 meters.
- Ballinakill Bay. Walk at low tide to the oyster farms of DK Connemara Oyster with a final tasting.
AUTHOR’S TIPS
O'Grady's on the Pier, Barna.
The sea in the eyes but also in the dishes in the restaurant created from the house of the lighthouse keeper of Clare Island.
Dún Aengus (Dún Aonghasa), Inishmore.
The most famous of the prehistoric forts of the Aran Islands, on the edge of a cliff that plunges into the Atlantic.
https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/dun-aonghasa/
Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites, Inishmaan.
Contemporary architecture integrated into the environment, minimalist rooms and local cuisine.
Inis Meáin Knitting Company, Inishmaan.
Contemporary style for the handmade sweaters according to the traditions of the island. The coolest fashion at the end of the world.
Ballynahinch Castle, Recess.
In the mountains of Connemara, a romantic country house for eco-friendly nights, on the banks of a fishy river.
https://www.ballynahinch-castle.com
O'Dowd's, Roundstone.
A pint of beer accompanies the oysters, mussels and fish dishes, brought by the fishermen of the port that is just opposite.
Connemara Smokehouse, Ballyconneely.
Small smokehouse by the sea that uses ancient techniques and beech wood to smoke salmon and mackerel.
Keogh's Pub, Ballyconneely.
Pub with music and good food. Seafood specialties.
Renvyle House, Renvyle.
The former home of the local lords is a hotel overlooking the ocean, where the poet Yeats spent his honeymoon.
Ballinakill Bay, Letterfrack.
Walk at low tide to DK Connemara Oyster's oyster farms, with final tasting.
https://www.dkconnemaraoysters.com/
Killary Adventure, Leenane.
Paddling in the fjord surrounded by the impervious walls of the mountains, sometimes in the company of dolphins and otters.
Misunderstood Heron, Leenane.
A sustainable food truck, on the shores of Killary Fjord offers trad dishes prepared with local ingredients.
Delphi Lodge, Leeenane.
Secluded, on the border between Mayo and Connemara, an 1830's mansion with rooms and cottages. Ideal for those who love trekking, fishing and silence.
Clare Island Lighthouse. Clare Island.
You can sleep in the old lighthouse of the island. For a week out of this world.
Clare Island Whiskey. Clare Island.
A tour to learn about the philosophy of this anomalous sustainable distillery that involves aging in the hold of a boat.
https://clareislandwhiskey.ie/
An Port Mór, Westport.
The name is that of the village of chef-owner Frankie Mallon. In a downtown alley, it offers one of the best cuisines in the entire West.
The Porterhouse, Westport.
Famous for its traditional music nights, which have earned it the award for the best music bar in Ireland.
https://theporterhousewestport.ie/
Matt Molloy's, Westport.
Music every night in the Westport pub open since 1896. The owner is Matt Molloy, the flutist of the Chieftains.
