The Burren is a karst landscape of bedrock
incorporating a vast cracked pavement of
glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves,
fossils, rock formations and archaeological
sites. The area of the National Park is the only
part of the Burren that has been subjected to
any major tectonic disturbance. Elsewhere in
the Burren the limestone beds are flat except
for a very slight tilting to the south west. In the
National Park substantial folding of the rock
can be seen at Mullaghmór.
The Burren
a karst landscape of bedrock
Glenlo Abbey Hotel and the
Pullman Restaurant, Galway
The hotel is set in the grounds of a stunning 138 acre estate on the edge of Southern Ireland’s largest lake, Lough Corrib, near Galway. Our special dinner was in their ‘Pullman Restaurant’; two former railway carriages that once served on the Orient Express. The train may not have left the station but, nevertheless, we embarked on a romantic, exquisite taste journey. From our deluxe room we enjoyed a wonderful panoramic view over the railway carriages and estate to the lough. Breakfast in the beautiful River room was excellent. It was a wonderful place to stay.
The 8km stretch of cliffs reach a height of
214m. Carved out by a gigantic river delta
around 320 million years ago, the imposing
cliffs offer incredible views, stretching over
Galway Bay, the distant Twelve Pins
mountain range and the northern Maum
Turk Mountains. It is one of the country’s
most visited natural attractions. There is a
charge of 6 euros per person for parking
and entry, if you arrive by car.
The Cliffs of Moher
a dramatic range of cliffs
The city’s hub is the 18th-century Eyre Square, surrounded by shops and traditional pubs that
often offer live Irish folk music. Nearby, cafes, boutiques and art galleries line the winding lanes of
the Latin Quarter, which retains portions of the medieval city walls. Christopher Columbus
allegedly once prayed at the 14th-century St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, and 16th-century
townhouse. Lynch’s Castle that is now a bank (with an exhibition room).
The Spanish gate built in 1584 and part of 4 original arches was an extension of the city walls and
provided a way onto the new quays and as a protection for ships. There are only two arches left
now after a tidal wave created near Lisbon in 1755 partially destroyed the wall. Galway Cathedral,
sitting on the banks of the River Corrib is the youngest of Europe’s great cathedrals as it was only
dedicated in August 1965. Built out of Galway limestone, it mixes several architectural styles to
stunning effect including the Gothic arches and Romanesque tower.
Not to be missed is the knitwear made in the nearby Aran Islands and, of course, an evening in an
Irish pub with live entertainment.
Galway
a vibrant harbour city on the west coast
The Poulnabrone Dolmen portal tomb is one of
around 90 neolithic burial sites in the region and one
of 174 portal tombs in Ireland. Portal tombs have two
large portal stones standing on either side of an
entrance capped with a massive sloping capstone.
Radiocarbon dates place its use between 3,800 - 3,600
BC. The first excavation of Poulnabrone Dolmen was
in 1986 and 1988 when the remains of up to 22
individuals from the Neolithic were found. Sixteen
adults, six children, and one newborn (from the
Bronze Age) were among the remains. Their bodies
were not cremated. Only one adult was over the age
of 40 while most died before they reached 30. Most of
the children were between the ages of five and
fifteen. Their remains show evidence of arthritis.
Poulnabrone Dolmen
a neolithic portal tomb
You’ll know you’re in Connemara when you enter a
vast beautiful bogland, but as you drive along the
landscape becomes a mixture of rivers, lakes,
woodlands, rich meadowlands, rugged hills,
dramatic mountains and as you near the coast
you’ll find an unpolluted coastline of sandy
beaches and blue waters. As we were there in
winter much of the grass was brown but we were
assured that it is very green in the summer.
The main town in the Connemara region is the
quintessential Clifden with lots of quirky shops,
restaurants and traditional Irish pubs. Connemara
is a Gaeltacht area, which means it is Irish-
speaking. The natives cherish their Irish culture,
heritage and traditions.
Connemara National Park
an area of beautiful scenery
Killary Harbour is a sea inlet that has been
described as Ireland´s only true fjord; carved by
glaciers and deeper along parts of its length than
it is at its mouth. The mountains of Mweelrea and
Ben Gorm dominate the northern side of Killary
Harbour, while the Devilsmother, Leenane Hill and
the rugged little hill called Binn Mhór rise on the
southern side of the inlet. Mussel farms are
plentiful along the fjord.
There is an old famine road on the southern side
and you can follow it from Bunowen to Killary
Harbour Youth Hostel then loop around the hill to
return back on the same shore. Or you can return
on the road passing Lough Muck and Lough Fee.
It’s a beautiful walk.
Killary Fjord
Ireland’s only true fjord
Originally built by Mitchell Henry in 1867 as a
romantic gift for his beloved wife this gothic castle
is now home to the Benedictine Order of nuns,
Kylemore Abbey is surrounded by stunning
Connemara scenery. Sadly, visitors can only see
five of the Abbey's restored rooms, although they
can also see the miniature gothic church and
Victorian walled garden. (It seems a high entrance
fee for so little to see of the Abbey itself.)
Originally the Victorian walled gardens held 21
heated glass houses producing all kinds of exotic
fruit and vegetables laid out in lavish style. Over
the years as the Abbey changed hands the
gardens gradually fell into decline until eventually
the walls surrounded only brambles and weeds.
The gardens were restored and opened to the
public in 2000. Two glass houses have been put
back in place, along with the head gardeners
house and the workers bothy.
Kylemore Abbey
a romantic gift
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is an idyllic, picturesque
old castle, dating from 1756, that overlooks a
salmon fishery on the Owenmore River. The
beautiful, scenic 450-acre estate is set among
rugged landscape and forest with the 12 Ben’s
Mountain range as the backdrop. There are 5 km
of peaceful woodland, lakeshore and riverside
walks around the Estate.
It was wonderful to sit and admire the view from
our room overlooking the river and hill beyond.
The staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
Excellent customer service in resolving any issues.
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
a picturesque old castle
Click to enlarge