County Clare and Galway: What to Do

Galway is renowned around the world as having a lively and extensive entertainment scene, coupled with welcoming Irish hospitality.

In addition to Galway City you will find many towns and villages within the county and you can pick and choose from whatever you feel like doing or want to see.

If you are a fan of nature then Galway would make a good stop. Deserted beaches, mountains, castles, lakes and rivers mean there is plenty of differing landscapes to see and lots of beach to discover.

Connemara is another popular place to visit in county Galway. Boasting some of the most spectacular lakes and links in the whole of Ireland you can hike across the countryside to simply enjoy the view, indulge in a spot of fishing or enjoy a game of golf.

Connemara National Park is ideal for lovers of the great outdoors. Situated near Letterfrack, the park covers almost 5000 acres of scenic countryside which rolls around the slopes of the Twelve Bens.

Galway city is steeped in history and is a haven for food lovers who can dine to their heart's content on the area's world famous oysters.

If you travel a little further south you will enter county Clare, another area that is jam-packed with top class visitor attractions, world famous events and festivals and a wide range of activities to suit people of all ages.

Water lovers can surf amongst the west coast waves or relax at the side of a tranquil lake. A trip to Lough Derg is another possibility and back in the sea you can take a trip to spot the West Clare Dolphins. There are plenty of excellent beaches and seaside resorts for everyone to enjoy.

County Clare is home to the tallest cliffs in Europe and Clare's highest mountain is found at Moylussa. There is such an array of stunning scenery in county Clare that you could easily spend a week or more here, travelling around and soaking up the sights.

Clare and Galway are two of Ireland's most easily accessed counties with an International Airport at Shannon and onward links available to Dublin, whether by bus or train. Car hire Ireland is straightforward to organise and a year round car ferry service is available in Killimer in the west of the county to take you across the Shannon estuary to county Kerry.

When it comes to accommodation there is something to suit the budget of all types of traveller, from budget campsites, hostels and bed and breakfasts through to more expensive and luxurious hotels for anyone wanting to splash some cash during their time in Ireland.