Recommendations for a base in Ireland

[John Gibsone]

Hi,

My wife, sister-in-law and I are planning a trip to the UK around September 2018. We are keen to do a side-trip and spend a week somewhere in Ireland. We would like recommendations for a town or village just a couple of hours from a regional airport that we can use as a base for the week to explore that area of Ireland. We don't have any specific 'must-do' activities, we just want a great location to allow us to do several day trips to explore the area. Somewhere interesting, beautiful, quintessentially Irish, with history and great surrounding countryside. That shouldn't be too hard, should it?

We would appreciate any suggestions that you might have.

cheers
.....................John

 

[Eleanor]

Galway would be my immediate choice. I much prefer Galway and Connemara to Kerry and it is less touristy. Base yourself in Galway City which has plenty of accommodation to choice from and a vibrant night life and plenty of places to eat. From there you can explore the Burren with the Cliffs of Moher. The Burren is limestone and the karst scenery is wonderful. It is worth seeing the cliffs from below on a boat trip. Drive out along the coast and back inland. Stop the car and just explore some of the green lanes. Dunguaire Castle is the place for a medieval banquet...

Spend a day exploring along the coast from Galway to Roundstone and then to Clifden. On a clear day. the Sky drive from Clifden is one of the best short drives in the world. Do clockwise for the best views.
Another day drive north to Leenan and think about a boat trip on Killary Harbour, often described as the only fjord in Ireland. Or head up through Louisburgand Westport and back to Galway for the scenery.

Visit Cong where the Quiet man was filmed (you can visit the cottage and dress up for a photo) and don't miss the ruined Cong Abbey with its fishing station on the river, which had a bell to ring to let the kitchen know if they caught any fish. Link this in with a visit to the ruined Aughnanure Castle on the shores of Loch Corrib.

There is also a day trip to the Arran Islands...

If you are interested in folk history, then the Country Life National Museum of Ireland at Castlebar is well worth visiting. It has lot of videos showing the way of life 50+ years ago which are fascinating - especially some of the folk traditions and beliefs.

Clonmacnoise is a wonderful early Christian site. If you are flying into/0ut of Dublin this is a good spot to have a break as it is about half way.

 

[John Gibsone]

Thanks very much for your suggestion Eleanor. Galway does sound like a good location for us.

 

[Eleanor]

This is only a taster - there's lots more to discover once you are there...