Galway, Mayo and Donegal are the two largest counties in the West of Ireland, and Donegal has Ireland’s longest coastline, giving it two outstanding features that make it stand out from most other counties: magnificent beaches and a of the best areas and climate for surfing in the world. The beaches, vast and in many cases desolate, are the best in all of Ireland and to add to the accompanying seaside attractions there are many superb golf courses such as Ballyliffen with its two courses on the Inishowen peninsula and Murvagh in the south. from Donegal. . The powerful currents of the Atlantic Ocean and rugged coastline create a natural combination of forces to produce the best possible surf opportunities and thousands of avid participants visit each year. Add in the magnificent Glenveigh National Park, The Rosses, Dungloe and Letterkenny, the county town and visiting Donegal is more like a trip to another country.
Sligo has a small coastline and Leitrim, to the surprise of many, actually has a 10km coastline, wedged between Sligo and Donegal. What it lacks in size, Roscommon and Leitrim make up for its lack of waterfront by having wonderful lakes and rivers. In Leitrim, sights such as Glencar Lough and Waterfall, along with attractive and bustling Carrick-on-Shannon, make visiting Ireland’s least populous county a delight. Neighboring Roscommon has the impressive Curlew Mountains and the vast and impressive Lough Key Lake and Forest Park, near the town of Boyle.
By far the most famous area in the region is Connemara, a vast area of outstanding and stunning natural beauty that attracts millions of visitors each year. Most of the Connemara area is in County Galway, but as far north as Louisburgh in County Mayo, west of Westport. The capital of Connemara is Clifden, about 80 kilometers west of Galway city. This wonderfully vibrant city, so full of character, epitomizes the laid-back mentality of the West Irish that draws them so much to visitors. There is no rush here. Haste is not a word that enters the local vocabulary, most of which is spoken in the native Gaelic tongue. Even if you could understand them, there is still no rush!
Connemara has everything to offer from lakes and mountains, golf fishing, horse riding, adventure centers and the stunning Connemara National Park, home to a wide variety of wildlife and nature.
Galway City is the capital of the West of Ireland and is known as the most fun place in Ireland, even ahead of Dublin, the country’s capital. Festivals are a full-time occupation in Galway, it seems. Every week in the summer months there is something different and the most famous of many events are the Galway Races which are held in July/August each year. The seven-day festival attracts millions upon thousands, many of whom have absolutely no interest in racing; there just for all the other sideshows and what the irish know as the crack!
Other festivals include the world-renowned Festival of the Arts and two Oyster Festivals along with a prominent Theater Festival. Galway’s compact city center offers excellent shopping, dining and, above all, great pubs to quench your thirst and enjoy each other’s company.
County Mayo, although not as populous as Galway, offers a wonderful selection of landscapes, towns and activities. Castlebar is the county town capital, a modern driving town which is the gateway to the west of the county. However, the most notable city is not the largest, but definitely the most beautiful.
Westport has the distinction of being the only architecturally designed town in Ireland and the place is beautiful. Winner of the Irish Tidy Towns award many times, it is an excellent base for exploring all of Mayo, but particularly the southern part of the county and Achill and Clare Islands. Achill has a bridge to access it, but the sparsely inhabited Clare Island can only be reached by boat. Westport offers everything from excellent accommodations and a host of leisure activities to an array of culinary excellence to suit every budget. It is the location of one of Ireland’s most famous mountains, Croagh Patrick, just west of the city. Named for Saint Patrick who founded a church on its top, the mountain draws visitors year-round, but particularly on what is known as “Stinky Sunday,” when thousands take part in a pilgrimage to the top where the Mass. From here, you have exceptional views of Clew Bay and the famous 365 islands that lie within it.
Further north, Ballina is the second largest city in Mayo and is a busy market town that is perfectly situated for the pursuit of the rich fishing lakes that surround it. It is an ideal base for exploring the north coast of Mayo where exceptional golf courses such as Carne/Belmullet Golf Club can be found. Don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful views of the megalithic fields of Ceide for a unique look into the past.
