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Mick’s Favourite Trip - Galway to Achill
Island and back to Galway
Travelling from Galway to Keen Beach on Achill Island County
Mayo and back to Galway, you will experience excellent twisting
and winding roads through some of the most breathtaking
scenery in Ireland. Keeping within the designated speed
limits this round trip of approx 420 Kilometres will take
approx 6 hours to complete with no stops factored in, so
it is therefore a good idea to split this spin over two
or even three days, with a stay overnight in Achill Island
recommended. Of all the routes I have ever travelled, in
England, Scotland, or indeed many countries in Europe, this
will always be my favourite.
Route Destinations
Galway City Start
1 . Oughterard
2 . MaamCross
3 . Clifden
4 . Cleggan
5 . Tully
6 . Leenane
7 . Louisburgh
8 . Murrisk
9 . Westport
10 . Newport
11. Pollranny
12. Dooega
13. Keen Beach
14. Doogort
14. Cong
16. Cross
Galway Finish
1. Oughterard
Oughterad exists today as a thriving village of 2,000 people,
many whose families have lived in the area for over a century.
Farming is still a large part of the culture with its prevalent
sheep and cattle but with Galway's ever-expanding borders
many people have done well in the building industry. (Galway
was recently named the most rapidly growing city in Europe.)
There is also a fine trade done in the town centre in its
many shops.
Tourism is very popular in the area, as well, and the town
and people are well prepared for visitors from all over
the world to appreciate the fantastic, scenery and culture.
2. MaamCross
Continuing through Maam, the scenery becomes ever more impressive.
Even on wet days this area is beautiful, as waterfalls caused
by the rain, run down the mountains. Artists from all over
the world have come to paint this landscape with its ever-changing
light. It is a magical area
3. Clifden
An area which is recognised as a new popular destination
and not just a place to 'breeze through', spectacular scenery,
national parks, abbeys, castle ruins and over 5,000 years
of living history. Clifden, is also very close to where
the famous aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown completed
the world's first trans-atlantic flight.
4. Cleggan
Cleggan now receives many tourists, however the main source
of income in the village had been fishing, supplemented
by farming. In 1927, in what became known as the Cleggan
Disaster, 25 fishermen from the local area drowned during
a great gale, which arose without warning while they were
mackerel fishing in the bay. The nearby village of Rossadilisk
lost sixteen men and was subsequently abandoned. Nine men
from Inishbofin and twenty men from County Mayo were also
lost. Due to the death of so many breadwinners, the area
was devastated. The disaster is remembered in stories, poems
and on stone markers. Local Marie Feeney in her book “The
Cleggan Bay Disaster” recorded it. You can get a ferry
over to the Island of Inishbofin, Inis Bo Finne (Island
of the White Cow) which lies seven miles off Galway’s
coast. The island is five miles by three. Inishbofin has
a population of about 200 people and well worth a visit.
There is a great walk that takes you around the Island opening
up fantastic scenery.
Peruse the many shopping choices in Clifden from sweater
shops, quality gift shops, boutiques to antique and souvenir
shops. Lunch in tea-shops, pubs and in the evenings, indulge
in Clifdens emerging reputation as the West's 'Gourmet Capital'
by dining in its fine restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and
B&B' s. And finish the day by enjoying a tipple in the
towns many hostelries, from the genuine 'quaint-Irish' to
the more trendy. Music is also to be found on your rounds.
5. Tully
Tully is a quaint seaside village in the Renvyle Peninsula.
Its little beach Trá ns mBean ( Ladies Beach ) is
only a stones throw from the village. The small pier at
Tully with rock pools and sheltered corners provides a fun
place for children and adults to spend the day exploring,
fishing, swimming and picnicking. Tully is home to the Teach
Ceoil (music house). The Tuesday night session held here
is not to be missed as it draws traditional musicians and
dancers from far and wide.
6. Leenane
Near the head of Killary is the village of Leenane, an angling
resort and an excellent centre for the mountain climber.
North 2 1/2 miles (4 km) from Leeane, in County Mayo, is
Ashelagh Waterfall, made famous, as it appears in the Film
the Filmed by Jim Sheridan..
7. Louisburgh
With its open blanket bog draping this fantastic mountainous
landscape fringed by the Atlantic coast and Clare Island
to the West. From the summit of Mweelrea (Connaught's highest
mountain) on a summer's afternoon you will be presented
with the panorama of the Twelve Bens to the South, the Sheefry
Mountains to the East and Croagh Patrick to the North.
8. Westport
Westport, is situated in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking
Clew Bay. It has become one of Ireland's established tourism
centres, with many outstanding features, most notably the
beautiful tree lined boulevard known as The Mall, running
parallel to the Carrowbeg River. Croagh Patrick, one of
Europe's best know places of Pilgrimage, has provided a
tough ascent for many pilgrims each year, climbing barefoot
in the memory of St. Patrick, who spent forty days and forty
nights fasting on the summit more than 1,500 years ago.
A small church at the summit of the mountain welcomes penitents,
while magnificent views of Clew Bay, with an island for
every day of the week, provides inspiration for many walkers
and visitors throughout the year.
9. Newport
Newport located on the shore of Clew Bay, which is famous
for its 365 Islands also has the distinction of the Brown
Oak River flowing through its centre and is a pleasant seaside
resort and part of an attractive and unspoiled coastline.
In addition to this it has a very striking railway bridge
(no longer used for rail carriage) like an aqueduct, which,
with the catholic church on top of the hill, dominate the
town and create a picturesque appearance. The church is
so imposing that it is usually referred to as 'Newport Cathedral'.
10. Achill Island
Achill Island (Irish; Acaill, Oileán Acla) in County
Mayo is the largest island off Ireland, and is situated
off the west coast. It has a population of 2700. Its area
is 57 square miles (146 square kilometres). Achill is attached
to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages
of Achill Sound and Polranny, so it is possible to drive
onto the island. This is a swing bridge, which allows the
passage of small boats. A bridge was first completed here
in 1886, and replaced by the current structure after World
War II. There is evidence that the island was inhabited
up to 5,000 years ago, and was home to Celtic tribes from
the fourth century AD.
Along with many remote and rural parts of Ireland, Achill
suffered greatly from the Great Famine of the 1840s. The
island's population was recorded as 4,901 in 1841, but declined
greatly during the following decade. In 1961 the island's
population reached 4,069, almost returning to pre-famine
figures, but since then emigration has seen the number of
inhabitants fall to under 3,000.
Despite some modern development, the island retains some
striking natural beauty. The cliffs of Croaghaun on the
northern coast of the island are the highest sea cliffs
in Europe but are inaccessible by road. However a drive
up Minaun that hosts communication masts is possible and
opens up a 360 degree panoramic view of the Island and Atlantic
Ocean. This is well worth a trip and should not be missed.
On the western tip near Achill Head, Keem bay is arguably
one of the most beautiful beaches on the Irish west coast.
Keel beach is quite popular with tourists and some locals
as a surfing location. Another extreme point of the island
is Moytoge Head, which with its rounded appearance drops
dramatically down to the ocean.
11. Cong
One of Irelands most unique towns, and very popular destination
for holidays in Ireland. Cong, is situated on the shores
of Lough Corrib – which is a true gateway to Connemara,
and home to Ashford Castle and famous as the location of
the Film the Quite Man. This lovely area offers a wealth
of history and unspoilt natural beauty that once seen is
never forgotten. It is recommended that you take a tour
to explore the Quiet Man Cottage Museum and take in some
of the local history. A local 35 minute tour contains lots
of information and stories from the making of the Quiet
Man, and is a real trip into the past.
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