Attractions
Brigit’s Garden, Roscahill
Brigit’s Garden is a unique place with beautiful themed gardens reflecting the four Celtic festivals. A nature trail runs through woodlands, meadows and the Ogham trees. There is a thatched roundhouse, ring fort and stone chamber, children’s trail and play area, and a tea shop with home-baked goods. Brigit’s Garden is a not-for-profit project and runs year-round educational programmes for adults and children.
Open: April to September
Tel: 353 (0)91 550905.
Web: www.galwaygarden.com
Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden, Connemara, Co. Galway
One of Ireland’s finest gardens, the six-acre Victorian walled garden at Kylemore was created by Mitchell Henry in tandem with the building of Kylemore Castle, (now Kylemore Abbey) circa 1867. With two distinct areas, the Kitchen Garden and the Flower Garden, the Garden is completely enclosed by a brick and limestone wall, and won the prestigious Europa Nostra Award for Gardens in 2000.
Open: March – November
Tel: 353 (0)95 41146;
Web: www.kylemoreabbey.com
Corrib Tours Furbo Hill, Furbo
Tel: 091 592447
Email: corribtours@eircom.net
Website: www.corribprincess.ie
Sailing from Woodquay in Galway City, the Corrib Princess follows a traditional trade route, The Steamers’ Line, to Lough Corrib – Ireland’s largest lake. 1•hour cruises include commentary on all major points of interest along the way. Full bar service available onboard.
Corrib Cruises Cong , Co Mayo / Oughterard, Co Galway
Tel: 094 9546029
Email: info@corribcruises.com
Website: www.corribcruises.com
Beautiful island-studded Lough Corrib looks even better from the open deck of a boat - and that’s where Corrib Cruises come in! Take a day or evening cruise from Cong, Ashford Castle or Oughterard and see the lake in a totally new light.
Connemara Smokehouse Ballyconneely, Connemara
Tel: 095 23739
Email: info@smokehouse.ie
Website: www.smokehouse.ie
At the Connemara Smokehouse, they specialize in wild and organic salmon, smoked and marinated. Where traditional production methods and very high quality seafood are the priority.
Dan O’Hara’s Homestead / Connemara Heritage & History Centre Clifden, Connemara
Tel: 091 21808 / 21246
Email: info@connemaraheritage.com
Website: www.connemaraheritage.com
Nestling into the hillside beneath the Twelve Bens is the restored cottage of Dan O'Hara, a man made famous in song and story. This experience includes a history presentation ''Connemara through the ages'', reconstructions of a crannóg, a ring fort and a clochaun, the Homestead & pre-Famine farm, guided tours for groups with turf cutting and other demonstrations on request, craft shop and tea rooms.
Dun Aonghasa Aran Islands, Co Galway
Website: www.visitaranislands.com
Dun Aonghasa located on Inis Mór is the island’s most famous landmark and the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and set on the edge of the 300ft drop to the sea, the semi-circular stone fort is a powerful place enclosed by three massive stone walls. Ionad Arann Heritage Centre provides an insight into the lives of the people of Aran.
Glengowla Mines Oughterard
Tel: 091 552021
Email: glengowlamines@eircom.net
Website: www.irelandwest.ie
Historic 19th Century silver and lead mine situated west of Oughterard in County Galway. Guided underground tours every 20 minutes - last tour 5.30 pm - and an exhibition of all the tools originally used in the mine. A unique heritage attraction being the only one of its kind in the country.
Killary Cruises Killary Fjord, near Leenane
Tel: 091 566736
Email: mocionna@killarycruises.com
Website: www.killarycruises.com
Scenic Killary Fjord is Ireland’s only Fjord and separates counties Galway and Mayo. The Connemara Lady catamaran is a wonderful way to see the fjord and surrounding area. The trip is often honoured by the company of leaping dolphins and always includes commentary on all major points of interest along the way.
Leenane Sheep & Wool Centre Leenane, Connemara
Tel: 095 42323
Website: www.irelandwest.ie
The Sheep & Wool Museum gives personalised demonstrations of spinning, carding and weaving. It also has a colourful gift shop carrying a range of gifts including crystal, woollen and jewellery pieces, and guaranteed answers to all your woolly or sheepish questions. Live breeds of sheep are on display outdoors.
Na Seacht Teampaill Aran Islands, Co Galway
Tel: 099 61355
Website: www.visitaranislands.com
'Na Seacht Teampaill' (the Seven Churches) was probably the most important pilgrimage site on Aran during the Middle Ages. At one stage there were seven churches on Inishmore. Now only two churches survive - Teampall Brecan and Teampall an Phoill / ‘Church of the Hollow’, which probably dates back to the 12th century.
Oceans Alive Visitor Centre Renyvle Peninsula, Connemara
Tel: 094 43473
An imaginative and informative exhibition of Connemara’s marine heritage. Enjoy the seaside picnic area with telescope where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Connemara coast and mountains, the Aquarium, Maritime Museum and children's play area. Access to a sandy cove and sightseeing cruises, the Sea Angling Centre, craft shop and tea room are other features of an enjoyable day out.
Pearse’s Cottage (Teach an Phiarsaigh) Rosmuc, Connemara
Tel: 091 574292
Web : www.heritageireland.ie
This small restored cottage overlooking the breathtaking lakes and mountains of Connemara was used by Patrick Pearse (1879-1916), leader of the 1916 Rising, as a summer residence and summer school for his pupils. The interior, although burned during the War of Independence, has been reconstructed and contains an exhibition and a number of mementoes of Pearse’s life.
Spiddal Craft Centre Spiddal Heritage Centre
Tel: 091 553376
Website: www.irelandwest.ie
Spiddal Craft Centre offers the visitor a rare opportunity to see skilled artisan craftworkers at work and to buy directly from the artists. Workshops include candle-making, leatherwork, pottery, screen-printing, weaving, celtic jewellery, bodhrán making and wood-turning. |
