Self-Guided Tours - Connemara and the Burren (11 nights)


Attractions and sites of interest on or close to the routes

• Aasleigh Falls
  Peat-stained falls where the Erriff River enters Killary Harbour.
  
  
• Aghagower
  Agricultural hamlet with a ruined church and round tower dating from around 1000 AD.
  
  
• Alcock & Brown Landing Site
  The boggy spot where the first trans-Atlantic aviators made their landfall in May 1919 after a flight of over 16 hours from Newfoundland.
  
  
• Ballynahinch Lake
  Castle ruin on an island in the lake was a stronghold of Granuaile (Grace O’Malley).
  
  
• Cleggan
  Small resort from where ferries depart for the inhabited island of Inishbofin.
  
  
• Clifden Castle
  Gothic construction for John d’Arcy who laid out the town of Clifden in 1812.
  
  
• Cliffs of Moher
  Magnificent, sheer limestone cliffs towering above the Atlantic Ocean.
  
  
• Connemara National Park
  The park includes the slopes of the Twelve Bens. Exhibitions, nature trails, tearooms.
  
  
• Cong
  Cong Abbey occupies the site of a 6th century abbey. The film 'The Quiet Man' was filmed on location in the village.
  
  
• Croagh Patrick
  The pilgrims’ trek up Ireland’s holiest mountain is rewarded by magnificent views of Clew Bay.
  
  
• Doolin
  Co Clare village famous as a centre for traditional Irish music.
  
  
• Doolough
  In a steep bowl between the Sheffry Hills and Mweelrea Mountains, the black lake” is a renowned beauty spot.
  
  
• Dun Angeus
  Stone Age cliff-top fort on Inishmore (Aran Islands)
  
  
• Famine Monument
  A bronze sculpture depicting a 'coffin ship' – the term used to describe the means by which many emigrants fled the potato famine (18456 – 1849).
  
  
• Granuaile Centre
  Details the life of Grannuaile (Grace O’Malley), the 16th Century pirate queen.
  
  
• Kilfenora
  The Burren Centre in the village is a mine of information about the region.
  
  
• Killary Harbour
  Long, deep fjord, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. The region was the location for the film entitled 'The Field'.
  
  
• Kylemore Abbey
  An extravagant medieval fantasy in glistening white granite and grey limestone in a wonderful setting.
  
  
• Leenaun Culteral Centre
  Interprets North Connemara’s sheep and wool industries.
  
  
• Lisdoonvarna
  Spa town at the southern end of the Burren region.
  
  
• Lough Inagh Valley
  Beautiful valley with wonderful views of mountains and coniferous forests.
  
  
• Lough Mask
  Large, scenic lough in the Partry Mountains.
  
  
• Lough Nafooey
  Hauntingly beautiful lake between the slopes of Benbeg and the flanks of the Partry Mountains.
  
  
• Murrisk Abbey
  Ruins of 15th Century abbey in fine setting overlooking Clew Bay.
  
  
• Pearse’s Cottage
  Where Patrick Pearse, leader of 1916 rising, stayed to improve his Irish. The cottage houses mementoes and exhibits.
  
  
• Renvyle Castle
  Remains of 14th Century O’Flaherty tower house overlooking the sea.
  
  
• Roundstone
  Picturesque fishing village built for Scottish fishermen, with craft centre specialising in manufacture of traditional musical instruments.
  
  
• Roundstone Bog
  A fine example of a blanket bog that covers more than 10,000 acres and is one of the few remaining strongholds of the European otter.
  
  
• Sky Road
  Scenic road that gives wonderful views of Clifden Bay.
  
  
• Toormakeady
  The only settlement of any size on the western shore of Lough Mask, this Gaeltacht village is a centre for knitwear.
  
  
• Westport House
  Stately home that is the residence of the Marquesses of Sligo.
  

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