"Connemara is a savage beauty", said renowned Irish writer,
Oscar Wilde and he really couldn’t have put it better. Connemara
is the name given to the wild and beautiful region northwest of Galway
City and offers a stunning panorama of lonely valleys, bogs, mountains
and lakes. And how do you know if you’re actually in Connemara,
you may ask. Well, from the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the
north through the lake-rich Roundstone Bog, to the golden beaches
reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll know you’re
in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone
of the landscape. This natural terrain and unspoiled environment offers
the visitor a wonderful array of sights and experiences.
Connemara can essentially be broken down into regions, each one with
its own particular beauties, history and attractions. These regions
include Ballyconneely, Ballynahinch & Recess, Carna & Cashel,
Cleggan & Claddaghduff, Clifden, Inishbofin & Inishturk, Kylemore
& Letterfrack, Leenaun, Renvyle and Roundstone. To give you a
good idea of Connemara, it is best to deal with this regions one by
one.
Ballyconneely
No visit to Connemara would be complete without a trip to Ballyconneely,
home by the way to Connemara Golf Club. Jutting out into the Atlantic
Ocean, the peninsula contains some of the most tranquil and natural
countryside in Ireland and is virtually ringed by beaches. These superb
beaches include Coral Strand, Knock, Dolan, Murvey, Mannin and Ballyconneely
Bay. As well as being ideal for bathing, some are also ideal for the
shore fisherman.
Ballyconneely has also been to the forefront historically over the
years. On Sunday June 14th 1919, the first transatlantic flight, piloted
by John Alcock and Arthur Brown, touched down in Derrygimla Bog about
two miles from Ballyconneely Village. They landed within yards of
the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Station, set up in 1905 by the Italian
pioneer of wireless telegraphy, Guiglielmo Marconi and from where
the first transatlantic wireless message was sent to Nova Scotia in
1907.
The area is also renowned for its breeding of
the world famous Connemara Pony. Legend has it that the breed originated
as a result of a number of Arab horses being washed ashore from a
Spanish shipwreck and breeding with the native ponies. Today, Ballyconneely
is home to a thriving community, while three miles to the east is
Roundstone Bog, a vast and tranquil expanse of moor, lake and stream
teeming with wildlife and rare plants.
Ballynahinch & Recess
This is an area of bogland, forest and lakes, dominated by the towering
quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens Mountains. Connemara green marble
quarries are to be found on the lower slopes of these mountains. The
elegant 16th century Ballynahinch Castle, overlooking the Ballynahinch
River has been home over the years to the O’Flaherty Chieftains
and Grace O’Malley and is indeed an impressive site. The ruins
of a 15th century island castle (crannog), built by Donal O’Flaherty,
husband of Grace O’Malley or Granuaile, as she was also known,
can still be seen here today. Carna & Cashel
Situated in the heart of the Gaeltacht, Carna is rich in ancient culture
and tradition and is an area where Irish is the everyday spoken language.
In the 6th century, St. McDara built a small church on one of the
islands off the coast of Carna, the unique stone roof of which has
recently been restored. Carna is also renowned for its skilled boat-makers,
who produce the famous Galway Hookers and Currachs.
The townland of Cashel lies at the head of Cashel
Bay and derives its name from the ring fort or cashel, which surrounds
the present day graveyard. Cashel Hill stands majestically overlooking
the bay, offering the most breathtaking views from its summit and
it’s well worth a walk up here.
Cleggan & Claddaghduff
A wild and wonderful stretch of Atlantic coastline characterises the
Cleggan and Claddaghduff area of Connemara. The focal point of the
picturesque fishing village of Cleggan is its pier, which is the closest
mainland link for the beautiful islands of Inishturk and Inishbofin.
Traditionally, fishing has supplemented farming as the main source
of income in the area, a practice that in 1927 brought devastation
to the village of Cleggan. In what became known as the Cleggan Disaster,
some 25 fishermen from the local area drowned during a storm that
arose while they were mackerel fishing in the bay.
There is much to occupy the visitor to the area,
whether on sea or land. A climb to the top of Cleggan Head will reveal
the remains of a watchtower, constructed during the Napoleonic Wars
and offer stunning vistas of the harbour, Inishbofin, Inishturk, Clare
Island, Croagh Patrick and Achill Head.
Clifden
Clifden Castle
Set between the Atlantic
Ocean and the Twelve Bens Mountains in an area of spectacular scenery
on the Connemara coast, lies the town of Clifden. Hill walking, horse
riding, beaches, fishing, golfing, national parks, abbeys and castle
ruins combine with stunning panoramas to make Clifden an area of great
interest in Connemara. Clifden enjoys a reputation as being the gourmet
capital of the Connemara and offers a range of fine dining options,
while its range of quality shops will satisfy even the most discerning
shopper.
Inishbofin & Inishturk Islands Best reached by ferry from Cleggan, Inishbofin,
which has a population of around 200, is one of the most beautiful
islands off the western coast of Ireland. Due to its inherent tranquility,
Inishbofin was chosen by St. Coleman as the site for his monastery
in 665 AD and a roofless 13th century chapel, which stands in the
present day graveyard is said to mark the site of this monastery.
The harbour entrance is dominated by a Cromwellian Fort, which served
as a prison camp for Catholic priests, while wildlife abounds both
on land and sea.
Inisturk Harbour
Inishturk lies off the Galway coast to the north
of Inishbofin and is populated by approximately 100 islanders. With
unrivalled scenery, peaceful setting, wholesome cooking and craft
making, this is a perfect place to visit. The island is a paradise
for outdoor enthusiasts, while the ornithologist will be enthralled
by the number of bird sanctuaries. The remains of Celtic and early
Christian fortified habitations are still evident and the sheltered
beach coves offer the clearest blue waters in Europe.
Kylemore & Letterfrack
Kylemore (Choill Mhór - meaning the big wood) lies at the top
of the Inagh Valley and is hidden between the mountains of Connemara
and the Atlantic Ocean. The mountainous valley around Kylemore is
terraced with forest, while the area is also famous for angling on
the three Kylemore loughs. The picturesque Kylemore Abbey, home to
a Benedictine order of nuns, stands at the edge of the lake surrounded
by woodland. The gothic castle, built in 1865, was bought by the Benedictine
order after fleeing their convent in Ypres during World War One. The
grounds of the Abbey are open to the public and are well worth visiting.
Kylemore Abbey
The village of Letterfrack is dominated by Diamond
Hill, which is located in the Connemara National Park. The aim of
the National Park is landscape conservation and it offers a variety
of activities for visitors including walks, talks, audiovisual shows
and a display depicting the development of the Connemara landscape
over 10,000 years. The old Jesuit school in the village is now owned
by the community and includes various craft and exhibition workshops.
Ballinakill graveyard contains the ruins of a medieval church as well
as a ruined 7th century church and it is here that the remains of
Oliver St. John Gogarty are interred.
Leenane Often referred to as the gateway to Connemara, the beautiful
village of Leenane is situated at the head of Killary Harbour. The
harbour extends some ten miles inland and with mountains rising steeply
on either side, provides some of the finest scenery in Ireland. With
its great variety of sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic rocks,
Leenane is a haven for geologists, while some of the well-known beauty
spots include Aasleagh Falls and Doolough Valley, scene of the tragic
famine walk. Leenane was also the setting for the film adaptation
of John B. Keane’s play "The Field", directed by Jim
Sheridan and starring Richard Harris, John Hurt and Tom Berenger.
Today, one can visit many of the locations used as sets in the film.
Renvyle
The serene Renvyle peninsula is located at the far western edge of
Ireland and is a place in which to enjoy the fresh sea air, peace,
beauty and closeness of nature. Amidst this alluring landscape, you
will find Derryinver Quay and Ballinakill Harbour, one of the loveliest
harbours in the world, from where you can enjoy a scenic coastal cruise.
The peninsula has been described by Augustus John as "the most
beautiful landscape in the world" and it has inspired some renowned
works of art by Yeats, Gogarty and Oscar Wilde. If you have ever watched
the film "The Quiet Man", starring John Wayne and wondered
about the location of the stunning scenery, now you know – Renvyle
is simply wondrous.
Roundstone
Roundstone Scenery
Situated in the heart of Connemara, Roundstone
village was built in the 1820’s and is one of the oldest fishing
villages on the west coast. Today, its harbour is still busy with
local fisherman returning with the day’s catch of lobster, crayfish,
crab and mackerel. Roundstone is an area of great natural beauty and
has been described as a botanist’s delight, with many rare wild
flowers to found in the area known as Errisbeg, which rises to almost
1,000 feet just west of the village.
