| Galway and Mayo and Donegal are the two | | | | Galway City is the capital of the West of Ireland |
| largest counties in the Ireland West region and | | | | and noted as the most fun place in Ireland, ahead |
| Donegal has the longest coastline in Ireland giving | | | | of even Dublin the capital city of the country. |
| it two outstanding features that make it stand | | | | Festivals are a full time occupation in Galway, it |
| out from most other counties - magnificent | | | | seems. Every week in the summer months there |
| beaches and one of the best surfing climate and | | | | is something different on with the most famous |
| areas in the world. The beaches, vast and | | | | of many events being the Galway Races held in |
| desolate in many cases, are the best in all of | | | | July/August every year. The seven day festival |
| Ireland and to add to the seaside attractions that | | | | attracts hundreds of thousands, many with not |
| go with them are many magnificent links golf | | | | the slightest interest in racing; there just for all |
| courses such as Ballyliffen with its two courses on | | | | the other side shows and what the Irish know as |
| the Inishowen Peninsula and Murvagh in South | | | | the craic! |
| Donegal. The powerful Atlantic Ocean currents | | | | Other festivals include the world-renowned Arts |
| and rugged coastline create a natural combination | | | | Festival and two Oyster Festivals along with a |
| of forces to produce the best surfing | | | | noted drama Festival. The compact centre of |
| opportunities possible and thousands of avid | | | | Galway offers great shopping restaurants and |
| participants visit every year. Add in the | | | | most of all great pubs to quench the thirst and |
| magnificent Glenveigh National Park, The Rosses, | | | | enjoy the company. |
| Dungloe and Letterkenny, the county town and | | | | County Mayo, whilst not being as populated as |
| visiting Donegal is more akin to a trip to another | | | | Galway, nonetheless offers a magnificent choice |
| country. | | | | of scenery, towns and activities. Castlebar is the |
| Sligo has a small coastline and Leitrim, to the | | | | county town capital, a modern thriving town that |
| surprise of many, actually has 10 kilometre | | | | is the gateway to west of the county. The most |
| coastline, wedged between Sligo and Donegal. | | | | noteworthy town however is not the biggest, but |
| What it lacks in size, Roscommon and Leitrim | | | | definitely the most beautiful. |
| make up for their lack of seaside frontage by | | | | Westport has the distinction of being the only |
| having wonderful lake and river amenities. In | | | | town in Ireland architecturally designed and the |
| Leitrim, places such as Glencar Lake and Waterfall, | | | | place is gorgeous. Winner of the Irish Tidy Towns |
| along with the attractive bustling | | | | on numerous occasions, it is a great base to |
| Carrick-on-Shannon make the least populated | | | | explore all of Mayo, but particularly the southern |
| county in Ireland a treat to visit. Neighbouring | | | | part of the county and Achill and Clare islands. |
| Roscommon has the stunning Curlew Mountains | | | | Achill has a bridge to access it but Clare Island, |
| and the vast and breathtaking Lough Key Lake | | | | sparsely inhabited, can only be reached by boat. |
| and Forest Park, near the town of Boyle. | | | | Westport offers everything from superb |
| By far the most famous area in the region is | | | | accommodation and a host of leisure activities to |
| Connemara, a vast area of outstanding and | | | | a great choice of culinary excellence to satisfy all |
| breathtaking natural beauty that attracts millions | | | | budgets. It is location of one the most famous |
| of visitors every year. Most of the Connemara | | | | mountains in Ireland, Croagh Patrick, just west of |
| area is situated in County Galway but to the | | | | the town. Named after Saint Patrick who founded |
| north it stretches up to Louisburgh in County | | | | a church at its summit, the mountain attracts |
| Mayo, west of Westport. The capital of | | | | visitors all year round but particularly on what is |
| Connemara is Clifden, some 80 kilometres west | | | | known as "Reek Sunday" when thousand partake |
| of the city of Galway. This wonderful vibrating | | | | in a pilgrimage to the top where Mass is |
| town, so full of character, epitomises the laid back | | | | celebrated. From here you have outstanding |
| mentality of the western Irish people that so | | | | views of Clew Bay and the reputed 365 islands |
| endears them to visitors. Here there is no hurry. | | | | that are situated in it. |
| Haste is not a word that enters the local | | | | Further north, Ballina is the second largest town in |
| vocabulary, most of which is spoken in Gaelic | | | | Mayo and is a busy market town that is perfectly |
| native tongue. Even if you could understand them, | | | | located for the pursuit of the rich fishing lakes |
| there is still no hurry! | | | | that surround it. It is a ideal base for exploring the |
| Connemara has everything to offer from lakes | | | | north Mayo coast where one can find exceptional |
| and mountains, golf fishing, horse riding, adventure | | | | links golf courses, such as Carne/Belmullet Golf |
| centres and the stunning Connemara National | | | | Club. Don't forget to take in the wonderful sights |
| Park, home to such a variety of wildlife and | | | | of the megalithic Ceide Fields for a unique look |
| nature. | | | | into the past. |