Trying to expertise one of the best of the Emerald Isle? West Eire is looking your title. It’s dwelling to colossal cliffs, vibrant cities, and an genuine Irish tradition that you simply gained’t discover anyplace else. The West of Eire presents a lot tradition, historical past, and nature – that it’s straightforward to see why so many individuals fall in love with it.
Whereas most guests of Eire select to remain in and round Dublin, the true magic lies within the countryside. And so far as that goes, there’s really no place higher to go to than Western Eire.
Right here, you’ll discover wild, windswept coastlines and inexperienced, unspoiled surroundings that present why Eire’s known as the “Emerald Isle.” Add to that full of life cities with cobblestone streets, thatched-roof cottages, and conventional pubs, and also you’ll see why it’s a high bucket-list vacation spot.
I lately did an 8-day guided tour with Globus Journeys, the place I received to discover the west coast of Eire firsthand. This was one in every of their Selection Touring itineraries, a brand new idea combining conventional touring with a extra immersive, native expertise. So, along with visiting must-see sights across the island, we additionally did customized excursions based mostly on our personal particular person pursuits. Such a enjoyable (and versatile) option to journey!
Should you’re searching for distinctive issues to do in West Eire, preserve studying. Right here’s all the pieces it’s essential learn about visiting the western coast of Eire.
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Western Eire at a look
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the River Shannon, West Eire is a good place for journey. It’s greatest identified for its coastal landscapes, together with cliffs, mountains, and seashores. Nevertheless, the West of Eire can be dwelling to pleasant individuals and distinctive cultural and historic websites.
The West Area of Eire encompasses three counties:
1. County Galway
2. County Mayo
3. County Roscommon
On this a part of Eire, there wasn’t a lot affect by the British. Which means that its conventional Gaelic roots are very a lot nonetheless intact. The area is principally rural, so that you’ll hear native Irish spoken, notably in small cities and villages.
The most important metropolis in Western Eire is Galway, which has a inhabitants of 79,000. Different cities and cities embody Castlebar, Ballina, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Roscommon, and Westport. The area is linked to Dublin by rail, and there’s additionally a world airport right here known as Eire West Airport Knock. As well as, you will get right here by automotive or bus.
I discovered it tremendous handy to go to Western Eire on a guided bus tour with Globus Journeys. We stayed a pair nights in Galway and Westport, two lovely cities with a wealthy and native heritage. It was straightforward to get round and discover the area from these two dwelling bases.
Should you’re trying to uncover the West of Eire, we’ve received you coated. Listed here are a number of the high locations and experiences you must learn about.
Greatest issues to do in West Eire
From nature outings to cultural experiences, listed here are a number of the high points of interest in West Eire.
Wild Atlantic Approach
Spanning over 1,500 miles (2,414 km), the Wild Atlantic Approach is likely one of the world’s longest coastal roads. It extends from the Inishowen Peninsula up north to County Cork within the south. As its title suggests, this street is totally wild—providing gorgeous vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and emerald water at each flip.
Throughout my tour with Globus, we had the chance to go to a number of scenic components of the Wild Atlantic Approach. This contains the Cliffs of Moher, Achill Island, and Keem Bay, amongst different lovely photograph stops.
Drive, bike, or stroll alongside the Wild Atlantic Approach and also you’ll see why it’s a high attraction within the Emerald Isle. The sounds and smells of the ocean, paired with the standard seaside tradition, makes this a driving route like no different.
From picturesque villages and seashores to towering cliffs, Eire’s Atlantic shoreline doesn’t disappoint.
Cliffs of Moher
Towering over Eire’s western coast, the Cliffs of Moher are a number of the most epic sea cliffs conceivable. It’s Eire’s second most visited attraction after the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, and it’s straightforward to see why.
The Cliffs of Moher are among the many most iconic and extensively recognizable sights in Eire. It’s been featured in lots of Hollywood movies and music movies over time, together with Harry Potter, The Princess Bridge, and Snow White and the Huntsman.
Stroll alongside the paved pathways the place you’ll encounter sweeping views of the Atlantic. A few of the cliffs are as excessive as 702 ft (214 m), which is not like every other sea cliffs I’ve seen. Plan to spend round two hours right here; nonetheless, you’ll be able to simply spend for much longer, as these cliffside walkways lengthen 14 km alongside the Atlantic Coast.
Be aware: For photographers planning to go to the Cliffs of Moher, bear in mind that stone obstacles have been put as much as forestall individuals from getting too near the cliffs. In prior years, individuals may stroll as much as the sting of the rim, however now there are stone slabs there for security functions. A few of these fences alongside the Cliffs of Moher are greater than 10-15 toes from the sting. Which means that many in style photograph spots are not possible to get to, so you’ll be able to’t seize photographs just like the one beneath:
Are the Cliffs of Moher among the finest locations to go to in West Eire? Completely!
Achill Island
Situated off the coast of County Mayo, Achill Island is likely one of the high vacationer points of interest within the west of Eire. It’s the nation’s largest island and takes a couple of hours to drive round it. Right here, you’ll discover no scarcity of gorgeous seashores, rugged mountains, and cute sheep.
There’s a bridge connecting Achill Island with the mainland, making it straightforward and handy to get to. When you get to the island, it feels such as you’ve been transported to an entire different world with its vibrant verdant landscapes and roaring seas. The very best sea cliffs in Eire are discovered right here, in addition to a wide range of natural world.
The island is sort of massive, so that you’ll wish to cowl it in a bus or name relatively than on foot. We visited right here as one in every of Globus’ Selection Tour excursions, the place they confirmed us some lovely photograph spots and seashores alongside the best way. On a coastal experience this lovely, it may be a bit overwhelming to find out the place to tug over and cease. Thankfully, Globus took care of this for us, making it a enjoyable and hassle-free day.
With its jaw-dropping surroundings and rustic farmland, Achill Island is a must-see on a Western Eire itinerary.
Kylemore Abbey is among the many greatest locations to go to in West Eire
Trying to get your Eire fort repair? Kylemore Abbey gained’t allow you to down. This grand property within the west of Eire is brimming with magnificence and splendor. Right here’s why you must go to on a Western Eire journey itinerary:
As one in every of Eire’s high tour points of interest, Kylemore Abbey is the oldest of the Irish Benedictine abbeys. It was inbuilt 1868 as a personal property earlier than turning into a monastery in 1920. The property is about on 1,000 acres – overlooking scenic mountains, forests, and a lake. Such a romantic setting!
It was superb to walk by the inside and see the ornate fixtures all through the constructing. Ten nuns nonetheless reside, work, and pray right here, although we didn’t see any on the tour. Along with the abbey, there’s additionally a neo-gothic church, mausoleum, and exquisite Victorian Walled Backyard on the property.
So far as issues to do in Western Eire go, it is a should!
Galway, Eire
The town of Galway is likely one of the coolest locations to go to on Eire’s western coast. Nicknamed the Metropolis of the Tribes, Galway retains its medieval metropolis partitions and different conventional buildings and customs from centuries previous.
What I favored probably the most about Galway was its vibrant pub and meals scene. Each night time, you could find conventional Irish music taking part in on the metropolis’s many bars and eating places. Nothing beats having a pint of the black stuff as you take heed to songs like Whiskey within the Jar and Fisherman’s Blues. Irish music is extremely enjoyable and festive – and I’ll actually search for bars and eating places round Boston the place I can get my Irish music repair.
As well as, Globus introduced us on a guided culinary journey with Galway Meals Excursions, the place we received a style of the town’s greatest cafés, bistros, pubs, and dessert outlets. Although Eire isn’t notably identified for its meals, the town of Galway does an ideal job mixing worldwide cuisines with the native taste. From the raspberry croissants and fish & chips to the whiskey and ice cream, each place on the meals tour was high notch.
Galway is an incredible homebase for exploring the remainder of West Eire. It’s located on the midway level of the Wild Atlantic Approach, making it an ideal cease on a Western Eire street journey. Positively add it to your bucket listing!
Aran Islands
Not far off the coast of Galway are the ever-mystical Aran Islands. They’re made up of three islands, of which Inis Mór is the biggest. We received to go to this island, taking within the nature magnificence, genuine tradition, and historical archeological websites.
My favourite cease on the island was Dún Aonghasa, a prehistoric fort relationship again over 3,000 years. It presents unbeatable views of the Atlantic Ocean and there’s additionally a small museum showcasing the historical past of the fort and the way it was used.
For lunch, Globus introduced us to Joe Watty’s Bar and Restaurant, a comfy pub that performs conventional reside music. The meals was nice and listening to From Clare to Right here was a bonus!
With its uncooked nature and distinctive tradition, the Aran Islands are a high place to go to on a West Eire itinerary.
Visiting Westport is likely one of the high issues to do in Western Eire
My favourite city in western Eire was undoubtedly Westport. It’s located proper alongside the coast in County Mayo inside attain of Achill Island, one other favourite spot on the Globus itinerary.
From the second you step into city, it’s straightforward to fall in love with its charming tree-lined streets, stone bridges, and colourful houses. Westport is stuffed with previous world attraction, as seen within the mighty Westport Home that’s 300 years previous. The well-known mansion is about on 400 acres in a serene wilderness setting. It really embodies the west of Eire at its most interesting!
Apart from the various points of interest and day journeys, Westport is stuffed with quaint pubs and eating places. I actually loved consuming at J.J. O’Malleys Bar & Restaurant and having a couple of pints of the black stuff at The Porter Home. The reside music scene right here was completely superb!
For a correct style of Eire’s west area, Westport has received you coated.
The place to remain on the west coast of Eire
The Irish west coast is brimming with superb locations to remain, however that are one of the best? Right here’s the place I like to recommend:
Should you’re trying to discover a place that’s centrally situated and properly linked to different components of the area, it’s value staying in one in every of Western Eire’s cities. Westport, Galway, and Limerick are three in style locations out west that make glorious dwelling bases to the encompassing sights and points of interest.
Westport, Eire:
Galway:
Limerick:
Taking a tour of Western Eire
As talked about above, I believe the easiest way to see Western Eire is on a tour. Positive, you’ll be able to hire a automotive and do all of it your self, nevertheless it’s laborious to have an area and immersive expertise this manner. Globus took us to native farms and on excursions with native guides, which may be troublesome to seek out whenever you’re researching the journey your self. Once you’re exploring this a part of the Emerald Isle, having a educated information who can clarify the breathtaking sights and landscapes is a large plus.
As well as, touring on a guided tour with Globus was merely rather more handy. It’s good to have all of the logistics and journey planning taken care of. No stress, no problem, no getting misplaced. Simply pure enjoyment! Globus takes care of the resorts, airport transfers, and getting you to and from all of the sights. That method, you may be current and totally immerse your self within the second.
Selection Touring with Globus
Along with having all of the traits of a typical tour, this itinerary is part of Globus’s Selection Touring program. As a part of this new type of touring, we had the power to select from a number of custom-made, native excursions throughout the journey. In Westport, Galway, and Dublin, we had decisions to expertise – from meals excursions and pub crawls to nature excursions and bike rides. So, not everybody within the group needed to do the identical factor day by day – we may all selected completely different actions all through the week that greatest aligned with our private pursuits. It’s not straightforward for tour operators to prepare this, which is why none of them do it…aside from Globus!
Our tour information for the week, Helen, guided us each step of the best way – from Dublin, round West Eire, and again to Dublin. Being native to Galway, she was tremendous educated in sharing the historical past, tradition, and enjoyable details in regards to the locations we visited. To not point out that she all the time answered our questions with an ideal humorousness. I might do that journey once more in a heartbeat!
Trying to e-book a visit to Eire quickly? Globus is providing a $200 per particular person low cost on their Selection Excursions by the top of October. Click on right here for extra data.
Steadily Requested Questions (FAQs) about Western Eire
What is taken into account West Eire?
Below the federal government of Eire and Eurostat classifications, West Eire contains three counties within the north and western areas of the nation. It includes County Galway, County Mayo, and County Roscommon. These counties make up an enormous a part of the Connacht Province of Eire.
Why is the west of Eire a vacationer attraction?
Guests of Western Eire come for the jaw-dropping surroundings and colourful cities and keep for the pub scene and pleasant locals. This makes the west area among the finest vacationer points of interest in Eire, palms down.
How far is West Eire from Dublin?
From Dublin, it takes about 3.5 hours to get to Westport and a couple of.5 hours to get to Galway. Relying on the place you wish to go within the western area, you’re taking a look at 200-250 km from Dublin.
What counties are within the west of Eire?
Within the western area of Eire, there are three counties: County Galway, County Mayo, and County Roscommon. Should you embody the southwest and northwest (that are technically completely different areas), then it’s also possible to embody the next counties: Clare, Kerry, Limerick, and Sligo.
How lengthy does it take to drive the west coast of Eire?
The west coast of Eire is 1,500 miles (2,414 km) lengthy, which is almost thrice longer than the Pacific Coast Freeway on the USA west coast. This extends from the border of Northern Eire within the north to Cork within the south. Should you wished to drive all of it, it might take 1-2 weeks with stops alongside the best way. So, how lengthy would it not take to drive the complete west coast of Eire? No less than 50 hours.
What’s the west of Eire identified for?
Western Eire is greatest identified for its dramatic coastal landscapes and romantic cities and cities. The area is stuffed with breathtaking surroundings, seaside villages, and pleasant locals. It’s straightforward to see why tens of millions of individuals a 12 months make it to Eire’s West Coast.
The place do you fly into for western Eire?
The primary airport to fly into the West is Eire West Airport Knock (“Knock Airport”), which is in County Mayo. Different airports embody Galway Airport and Shannon Airport.
The most effective locations to see on the west coast of Eire
Hope you loved studying this Western Eire itinerary and journey information! Have you ever been to the west area earlier than? Let me know your favourite spots! Joyful Travels! -Jon
