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The World  
 
The West Coast

  Ireland, The West Coast

The West Coast: -

The western and northwestern counties (Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal) are the least anglicised parts of the country, a land of thatched cottages and peat fires, limestone plains and steep craggy cliffs, and of Connemara, a region of stark beauty which has long fired the imaginations of writers, poets and painters. The area is dominated by two spectacular mountain ranges, the Twelve Bens and Maam Turks. The northwest in particular consists of a rugged landscape of steep cliffs, often overlooking lonely islands, interspersed with sandy beaches. Inland the scenery is varied, ranging from the bleak mountains of Donegal to the lakes of Leitrim. The landscape is broken up by fertile valleys and dotted with ancient churches, prehistoric tombs and crumbling ruins. In County Mayo, the upland stretches from Lough Corrib and Killary Harbour in the south to the Mullet Peninsula in Killala Bay in the north. Traditional Ireland is very much in evidence here and the scenery is spectacular. The Holy Mountain of Croagh Patrick forms a mysterious conical shape and dominates the surrounding countryside for miles. The mountain is the place where St Patrick reputedly threw the reptiles out of Ireland and is now a place of pilgrimage; many thousands of people climb the mountain every year.
There are spectacular views from the mountain and on a good day the Twelve Bens mountain range and Achill Island can be seen. Achill is the largest off the Irish coast and has a beautiful 2km (1-mile) beach with fantastic rock formations at one end. The poet W B Yeats was a native of County Sligo, and his writings - which are commemorated annually in Sligo - provide the most eloquent and lyrical descriptions of this part of the country, with its mountains, lakes and golden coastal scenery. Yeats is buried in Drumcliff churchyard. Sligo is also, however, an area of outstanding archaeological interest. In the Bricklieve Mountains (at Carrowkeel, northwest of Ballinafad) is a Stone Age passage-grave cemetery. The Stone of Cu is a vast megalithic tomb to be found north of Lough Gill near Fermoyle. Cormac MacAirt, famous King of Ireland, was reputedly born and raised by a she-wolf in the Caves of Kesh in Keshcorran Hill.
The city of Galway, itself containing many examples of English, Spanish and French-influenced architecture, makes a convenient starting point for explorations in the west.

Excursions: The Aran Islands - Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer - are accessible by air or boat from Galway, or short boat crossing from Rossaveal. They are Gaelic speaking and distinctive for the limestone rock similar to that found on the The Burren. Some of the earliest surviving examples of prehistoric fortifications are to be found here, together with many early Christian monastic settlements and a Folk Museum. The west coast is a particularly beautiful area of the country. Westport, one of the most attractive towns in the area, is unusual in that it was planned by the architect James Wyatt in the late 18th-century, and its most famous attraction is Westport House, a superb stately home situated by a lake. 1620 ha (4000 acres) of Connemara have been designated as a national park. The principal attractions in this area include the Maam Turk Mountains; Kylemore Abbey and Lough Mask Abbey. Lough Mask House was notorious as the former home of one Captain Boycott, a man so unpopular with his tenants that nobody could work with him - hence the word 'boycott'.
Between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask is Cong, where the film The Quiet Man was filmed. It is also the site of The Cross of Cong, a 12th-century Celtic cross made for Cong Abbey, a ruined Augustian Abbey also dating back to the 12th century. Inishmurray Island, 6.5km (4 miles) offshore has a 6th-century monastery and some well-preserved early Christian gravestones. W B Yeats was buried in the grounds of the 19th-century church at Drumcliff, once a monastic settlement founded by St Colomba, a stone's throw from Benbulben, one of the most spectacular mountains in the country. Standing at 527m (1730ft), the mountain changes its face as you walk around it. Lissadell House, a typical aristocratic country home of the last century, is famous for its associations with Yeats.

RESORTS: : The Aran Islands: Long sandy beaches at Kilmurvey, Killeaney and Kilronan. Inisheer: Fine sandy beaches. Spiddal: Four safe sandy beaches near Spiddal. Inverin: Seven sandy beaches within 5km (3 miles). Carraroe: Four sandy beaches nearby. Lettermore: Lettercallow Beach and other small sandy beaches within driving distance. Lettermullen: Coral beach, 3km (2 miles) from Lettermullen and a 2km-long (1-mile) sandy beach at Dynish (5km/3 miles). Carna: Long sandy beaches at Callowfeanish, Mweenish and Moyrus. Short sandy beach at Ardmore. Roundstone: Fine strands at Gurteen, Dog's Bay, Murvey Beach, Dolin Beach, Bunowen Beach, Aillebrack Beach, Dunloughan Beach, Mannin Beach and Coral Beach composed of fragments of coraline with smooth rocks. Cleggan: Six safe sandy beaches close by, two within walking distance. Clifden: Holiday resort, excellent beaches close to town and at Leagaun (11km/7 miles). Letterfrack: Safe bathing at Renvyle, Tullybeg and Lettergesh. Salthill: Popular resort with many holiday amenities and good strands within 3km (2 miles). Kinvara: 6km-long (3.5-mile) sandy beach Traught Strand. Achill Island: Safe sandy beaches at Keel, Dooagh, Keem and Dugort. Ballina: Long sandy beaches at Bertragh, Carrowmore-Lackan, Ross Strand and Bunatrahir Strand. Belmullet: Nine safe sandy beaches within easy driving distance. Mulrany: Good bathing strand. Louisburgh: 3km (2-mile) beach at Old Head and five more sandy beaches within driving distance. Westport: Bathing at Bertra, Lecanvey and Kilsallagh. Lahinch: Popular resort for bathing. Entertainment centre. Good recreational facilities. Spanish Point: A good sandy beach situated 3km (2 miles) west of Milltown Malbay. Recreational facilities. Doolin: Small village with thriving folk music events and a small sandy beach. Silver Strand: At Freagh, 3km (2 miles) north of Milltown Malbay, is a good, safe bathing place. Kilkee: Lovely resort built around a semi-circular bay; excellent bathing facilities; recreational facilities include golf, skindiving and sea fishing. Moville: Family resort by the shores of Lough Foyle on the Inishowen Peninsula. Fine coastal scenery. Greencastle: On Lough Foyle, 5km (3 miles) from Moville; good bathing beach. Culdaff: Secluded resort with a fine beach. Many beaches and cliffs along the coast. Malin/Malin Head: 6.5km (4 miles) north of Cardonagh, Malin Head is 14km (9 miles) further on. Malin Head is the most northerly point of Ireland affording superb coastal views. Ballyliffen: Secluded resort in beautiful surroundings. Bathing on the Pollan Strand. Clonmany: Village between hills and the sea. Fine coastal scenery. Buncrana: Well-developed holiday resort; fine scenery and recreational facilities. Rathmullan: Good bathing beach on the shore of Lough Swilly. Portsalon: On western shore of Lough Swilly near Fanad Head. Bathing, and fine cliff scenery. Rosapenna: Between Carrigart and Downings on Rosguill Peninsula. Ideal centre from which to tour. Downings: Quiet little resort with superb beaches and coastal scenery. Carrigart: On Mulroy Bay at foot of Rosguill Peninsula; beach surrounded by sandhills. Dunfanaghy: Well-equipped resort at Sheephaven Bay; splendid cliff scenery at Horn Head. Portnablagh: 2.5km (1.5 miles) from Dunfanaghy; excellent beach and bathing facilities; also beach at Marble Hill. Gortahork: Irish-speaking village under Muckish Mountain; departure point for Tory Island. Derrybeg: Secluded little resort with fine coastal scenery. Bunbeg: Peaceful resort sheltered by cliffs, within easy reach of many beauty spots; excellent sea bathing. Burtonport: Sheltered harbour; ideal for boating trips to nearby islands; rugged, rocky scenery. Strand at Keadue (5km/3 miles). Aranmore Island: 5km (3 miles) from mainland on rugged and complex coastline; cliff scenery, sea caves, bathing; may be reached by boat from Burtonport. Dungloe: Interesting geological curiosities; bathing in Mahory Bay. Maas: Conveniently situated between Narin and Glenties; ideal centre from which to tour the 'Highlands of Donegal'. Narin and Portnoo: Overlooking panoramic Gweebarra Bay; magnificent strand at Narin. Rosbeg: On the rugged shore of Dawros Bay; excellent beach and pleasant scenery. Ardara: Charming resort situated in a deep valley on Loughros Mor Bay; good touring centre. Malinmore: Pretty holiday resort with strand, 11km (7 miles) west of Carrick; impressive cliff scenery. Carrick: Ideal centre for boating and climbing; startling panoramic views from Slieve League seacliff (602m/1973ft). Killybegs: Fine natural harbour; fish-curing centre. Inver: On mouth of Eany River (Mountcharles - 6.5km/4 miles); good beach and bathing. Mountcharles: Overlooking Donegal Bay with charming scenery; sandy beach nearby. Rossnowlagh: Situated on Donegal Bay with excellent strand backed by gentle hills. Bundoran: One of Ireland's chief seaside resorts; on southern shore of Donegal Bay; lovely strand and all holiday amenities. Mullaghmore: Sheltered little resorts with superb bathing beach; sandhills. Rosses Point: Mainly noted for its championship golf course; fine strand. Strandhill: Popular resort at the foot of Knocknarea Mountain. Enniscrone: Popular family resort; excellent beach, surf, bathing, salt-water baths.