The Countyof Galway is divided in two by the raggedy shores of LoughCorrib, with the spectacular mountains of the Connemara peninsula to the westand lush green farmlands of the Shannon basin to the east. Most visitors headwest to enjoy the mystical TwelveBens and Maumturk mountain ranges, the intriguing AranIslands and the history and beaches around Galwaycity.
Galway Heritage and History
The city ofGalway is the heart of the county, sandwichedbetween Lough Corrib and Galway Bay, and hasstrong links with Ireland’s past – a large proportion of citizens speak Gaelicas well as English. The many pubs make the city swing to the beat of thebodhran and fiddle, but Galwegians’ appetite for fun is tempered by a healthyregard for Galway’s heritage. The old cityincludes a medieval church, parts of the city walls and other buildings fromthe time when the 14 “Tribes” – merchant families – ruledGalway.
Elsewhere in the county,visitors can find castles at Athenry,Dunguaire,Aughnanure and Claregalway,several dolmens and other Neolithic standing stones, and ThoorBallylee, the 16th century keep that poet W B Yeats restored andlived in.
Galway Views and Scenery
ConnemaraNational Park is one of County Galway’sjewels, studded with mountains, peat bogs and forests. Diamond Hill has apopular nature trail and circular walk, while the spiky Twelve Bens offersuperb views of the county on a clear day. To the north, the Maumturk mountainsare smaller, with fewer visitors.
LoughCorrib is a peaceful refuge from the bustle ofGalway city, with fantastic spots for anglers andother watersports. Nearly 400 islands dot the waters of Corrib, with abundantwildlife and birdwatching opportunities, and several islands are home tochurches, monasteries and tiny villages – some in ruins, some still goingstrong.
The wild western coast ofGalway has some of Ireland’s best beaches, allwhite sand and roaring waves, with Dogs Bay, Silver Strand, Coral Beach,Carraroe, Salthill and Kilmurvey all worth seeing and there are many other blueflag beaches to visit.
The AranIslands
The three islands of Aranare starkly beautiful places and their windswept magnificence attractsthousands of visitors prepared to take a 45-minute ferry journey fromGalway city. The islands have two of the oldestforts in Ireland, Dun Aonghasa and Dun Chonchuir, Iron Age fortifications thathave survived the centuries, along with the thousands of miles of stone wallsthat criss-cross the islands. There is also a thriving local arts scene andweavers who make the traditional Aran sweater.
Sport and Leisure inGalway
With so many places toenjoy the scenery and fresh air, it’s no surprise thatGalway is a prime destination for all sorts ofoutdoor activities, from sea kayaking along the shoreline to exploring thecountryside on horseback. Walkers and cyclists can easily lose the crowdseither along the coast or in Connemara, and of course there are many, many golfcourses to choose from.
Events andShopping
Galwaycity is the best place for the dedicated shopper – the city market in ChurchLane has been trading for centuries. For fairies, handicrafts, Aran jumpers,druidic paraphernalia and all things Celtic, there are few places that canmatch Galway.
The city is also thevenue for a horseracing festival in Jul, and the Galway ArtsFestival takes over the streets the same month. TheClarinbridge Oyster Festival is a must for seafoodlovers – in fact it’s possible to find high class seafood across thecounty.
Enjoy CountyGalway
The delightful county ofGalway, with its spine-tingling scenery,mysterious history and welcoming people, is sure to charm nearly everyvisitor.
