Connemara Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Connemara, in the northwest of County Galway, Republic of Ireland has scenery like that out of a fairy tale. Its mountains are a deep and rich colour of green and when the clouds roll in it seems almost magical.
Contents |
Cities
Other destinations
Understand
Connemara is the pennisula of Western Galway and Mayo. It has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the world. Its barren windswept landscape is compelling and inspiring. The blanket bog covering the region houses some beautiful and varied flora, and provides a contrast to the more green and fertile land of the midlands and the south. The ancient mountains have been raked to their bones by long thawed glaciers, leaving patches of grey granite and jutting outwards, and potatoe rows still visible from the desperate times of the Great Famine. The fields are divided by hand made stone walls, often collapsed. The Atlantic coast is dramatic and powerful, filling one with appreciation for the fear that the Irish men and women from this region must have felt when preparing for the trip across it.
Talk
Almost all of Connemara is classified as a gaeltacht, where Irish Gaelic - Gaeilge is the first language of most people. However, everyone does speak English and will not expect visitors to speak Irish. Still you are welcome to try.
Get in
- Bus Éireann is the only real option for public transport in the region. Route 420, from Galway to Clifden winds through most of the major destinations.
- For drivers, take the N59 or R336 northwest from Galway City. The N59 is the main road from Galway to Clifden, while the R336 winds its way along the southern shore before turning north to Leenane. The two roads intersect at Maam Cross.
Get around
See
Do
- Hiking is the best way to see Connemara. Highlights include the Twelve Bens, a small range of mountains stretching between Kylemore Lake and Lough Derryclare. Parts of the bens are included in Connemara National Park
- The Killary Adventure Centre, 095 43411 (adventure@killary.com), [1], Leenane, offers a wide variety of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, gorge walking, etc, along the Killary fjord.
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Hostels
- Sleepzone (3.5 miles west of Leenane on the N59), [2], is a brand new hostel opening in March 2005, is in a converted 19th century building. It overlooks Killary fjord, and offers facilities for a wide variety of wilderness activities. Shuttle service is available to the affiliated hostel in Galway City.
- Ben Lettery Hostel (east of Clifden on the southern leg of the N59), 095 51136, [3], this HI/YHA hostel is situated in an ideal location right in the mountains of Connemara. It serves as a good base for hikes in the region, including that around the 12 Bens.
Get out
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