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Galway is a super-chill, hip, and vigorous metropolis positioned in Western Ireland. It’s location makes it a great base for exploring a few of Ireland’s most iconic vacationer points of interest. Check out these straightforward day journeys from Galway to expertise Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
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Cliffs of Moher
Perhaps making the ‘top 10′ on many peoples’ journey bucket listing, the Cliffs of Moher will take your breath away. Located in County Clare on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher could also be Ireland’s hottest vacationer attraction.
Despite being saturated with guests, there are many alternatives to flee the crowds and get picture-perfect photograph opps.
Located on the southwestern fringe of the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher run on for about 14km.
The iconic location for one of many scenes from The Princess Bride, Ireland’s most famed vacationer web site was additionally the situation for some taking pictures of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The ‘cliff-hanger’ shot is definitely very easy to get. My pal within the photograph under doesn’t precisely appear to be he’s hanging on for pricey life.
Despite the whipping winds and astounding peak of the cliffs, the world is protected, as long as you might be cautious. Put security first, concentrate on your footing, and you may be simply wonderful.
Although this headstand was in a ‘safe zone,’ even when I had been to fall, it nonetheless scared the shit out of me. I’m stunned I stayed up lengthy sufficient for my pal to take a photograph. Yah, my ass is roofed in filth.
Come spend a couple of hours, letting the ocean mist and salt air work their therapeutic properties.
From Galway, you may take a bus, personal tour, or lease a automobile. Don’t neglect – the Irish drive on the left!
Connemara National Park
While it’s anticipated that the Cliffs of Moher will awe and encourage, Connemara National Park is comparatively lesser-known. However, this was an extremely nice shock for a simple day journey from Galway!
Connemara is positioned in County Galway and spans 2,000 hectares of land. Its partially-dark historical past makes it an excellent intriguing space to go to.
I recommend taking a tour right here, because you received’t have the ability to receive the quantity of historical past and knowledge by yourself with out in depth analysis.
Or, in case you’re up for a great hike, the nationwide park presents gorgeous landscapes with an abundance of various terrains – mountains, bogs, hills and valleys – there’s even a fjord! And in case you’re reeeeaaally fortunate, you may spot the well-known Connemara pony!
Connemara is a must-do in case you’re on the lookout for straightforward day journeys from Galway. Check out this extra in-depth publish on interesting info about Connemara and its historical past.
Kylemore Abbey & Walled Gardens
Kylemore Abbey is positioned solely an hour away from Galway within the coronary heart of Connemara. It is a Benedictine Monastery that was constructed within the late nineteenth century and was based in 1920.
Its historical past tells the story of Mitchell Henry and the love and inspiration he present in his spouse, Margaret. Mitchell Henry constructed the (then) fort as a token of affection for his spouse and the encircling space of Connemara.
Tragically, Margaret died when she was solely 45, and her youngest daughter was 2 – she died from sickness whereas touring in Egypt. Mitchell died a lot later, on the age of 84. On the grounds of Kylemore there’s a small mausoleum that now holds the stays of Margaret and Mitchell (see photograph under).
After the Henry household left in 1902, the property was offered off to the Duke of Manchester. Later, in 1920, a bunch of Benedictine nuns relocated after their monastery in Belgium was destroyed throughout WWI. They turned the property into an Abbey and ladies’ college.
The walled Victorian gardens are a few of the most elaborate in Ireland, and likewise well-worth visiting, particularly throughout the hotter months when all the pieces is in bloom.
Cong
Cong is an cute village in Western Ireland that’s additionally a simple day journey from Galway. Cong’s declare to fame is the filming web site of the film The Quiet Man, a movie made in 1952 and starring icons John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Be certain to cease in and have a whiskey!
Aside from visiting the long-lasting bar that was featured within the movie, Cong additionally has some lovely ruins and an Abbey to wander. Or, you already know, take yoga photographs.
You received’t want a full day right here – Cong is well explored in only a few hours.
The Burren
Not removed from the Cliffs of Moher, you’ll discover the Burren. The Burren is best-known for its lunar-like panorama. The gray rock with ribbons of crevices is in contrast to anywhere I’d ever seen.
With a lot stone and rock, you wouldn’t count on the Burren to be an ecological scorching spot – nevertheless it’s filled with biodiversity, each fauna and flora.
Here you can too discover a neolithic portal tomb! Twenty-two folks had been buried right here over the course of six centuries. That’s proper, the tomb has been round for over 5,800 years!
On the outskirts of the Burren, you can too go to Leamanagh Castle to take a look at its fifteenth century ruins.
Killary Fjord
In Northern Connemara, you will see Killary Fjord, Ireland’s one and solely fjord. With mountains jutting up from either side, the fjord makes for an idyllic photograph.
Fun truth: the Spanish Armada had a number of crash websites simply off of Killary Harbour. It’s mentioned that the Galwegians have black hair and blue eyes as a result of the dark-haired Spaniards couldn’t resist the fantastic thing about the Galway ladies.
The border between County Galway and County Mayo runs by its middle.
Doolin
The village of Doolin is called being the music capital of Ireland – I do know, massive declare to fame. It’s additionally an important base for exploring a few of Western Ireland’s hottest websites, together with the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands, that are simply off shore.
If you don’t wish to go to the cave however want to try Doolin briefly, it’s an important place to cease for lunch or dinner after a visit to the Cliffs of Moher.
Aran Islands
If you solely take one straightforward day journey from Galway, let it’s the Aran Islands! This was by far my favourite a part of the journey – nicely, the island of Inis Mor and Connemara National Park had been each up there.
From Galway, you may simply hop a ferry to Inis Mor, the closest of the three Aran Islands, and probe for a day. If you’re feeling extra bold, visiting the opposite two can also be an possibility.
Inis Mor is probably the most populated of the three and is roofed in an intricate community of stone partitions which have been there for tons of of years. There’s additionally a seaside and a seal colony – want I say extra?
The hottest web site in Inis Mor is Dun Aonghasa, a prehistoric hill fort on the sting of a cliff. If that’s not sufficient for you, listed below are different causes you should go to Inis Mor.
Dunguaire Castle
For a short cease in your manner again to Galway from the Cliffs of Moher, don’t miss Dunguaire Castle on Kinvara. It’s a fast cease, however very straightforward in case you’re already visiting the Cliffs. The fort was in-built 1520 overlooking Galway Bay and was (largely) owned by the Martyns of Galway till the present century.
Most of those straightforward day journeys from Galway can be found from Galway Tour Company – I’m not affiliated with GTC in any manner, however they’re who I personally used for 3 totally different excursions from Galway. What can I say, I didn’t wish to drive on the left, hah!
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