What a sight to see and enjoy the dramatic coastline stretching from Clare to  the northern most parts of Donegal, as you drive around the western regions, there’s nothing quite like it elsewhere in Europe.

Limerick City to the Cliffs of Moher

Limerick City is the hub and capital of the Shannon Region and the 3rd largest city in Ireland. Its colourful and fascinating history is evident everywhere and proudly maintained. Take time to visit King John’s Castle and The Hunt Museum, the city also provides a generous selection of the best shops, great restaurants, pubs and theatre.

Just beyond the city is Bunratty Castle and Folk Park   one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, built in 1425 and restored in 1954. The Folk Park is set on 26 acres and recreates 19th century Ireland featuring a village street, farmhouses, watermill, a blacksmith’s, church and I am sure you will find a pub there too!

 The Cliffs of Moher loom over Co. Clare’s west coastline and rise in places to over 215 metres and stretch for almost 8km, the best way to enjoy the views is to park the car and take a stroll. All along this coastline are seaside towns and picturesque villages.

Kilkee with its magnificent cresent shaped blue flag beach, Lisdoonvara famous for the ‘match making’ festival each September and Kinvara supposedly home to the best smoked salmon.

Galway City - Connemara to Westport

Start off in Galway City, one of the most chilled out spots in Western Europe. Despite being a city, it feels like a big town with its easy attitude and cool bohemian vibe with traditional pubs and music, buskers, street theatre and quirky shops, Galway is often referred to as the ‘real cultural capital of Ireland’.   

Make sure you visit Clifden the pretty ‘capital’ town and quaint Roundstone fishing village with beautiful beaches, both have arts festivals each summer. The Connemara National Park covers 957 hectares of rugged quartzite and schist terrain of north Connemara, stretching from sea level at Letterfrack to some of the peaks of the Twelve Bens Mountains.

The picturesque village of Cong was the setting for much of the filming of John Ford’s 1951 movie “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne & Maureen O’Hara. Leenane village was the set of a film adaptation of John B. Keane's famous play "The Field", directed by Jim Sherdian. Well-known stars taking part included the late Richard Harris, John Hurt and Tom Berrenger.

From Leenane head north through the Delphi Valley along the shore of, Doolough Lake to Louisburgh and Clew Bay stopping at Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain.

 Westport and Achill Island

Few towns can match Westport’s charisma or appealing continental flavour. Cheerful, multi-coloured shop fronts jostle for attention along with a bewildering array of pubs, shops, cafes and restaurants. Nearby in the charming Quay area is the entrance to Westport House and Country Estate, a magnet for family day trips.

Kylemore Abbey  is the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys still run today by the Benedictine nuns as a girls school with the Abbey and Gardens open to the public.

Escape and explore nearby Achill Island, accessible from the mainland by a bridge, one the many islands off this shore line, with magnificent sandy beaches.

W.B. Yeats Country

William Butler Yeats called Sligo ‘The Land of Hearts Desire’ and its beauty, archaeology and folklore filled his early poetry. Today, much of what inspired him remains and a day trip around Yeats’ Country illuminates the poet’s words while you discover just how powerfully those same words celebrate his beloved Sligo.

From Sligo, travel to Lough Gill and meander down country lanes to view the Lake Isle of Innisfree, Glencar’s Towering landscapes, gouged by glaciers 12,000 years ago, epitomise Glencar Valley. Lissadell ( Lissadell House), Drumcliffe (Drumcliffe Church – resting place of WB Yeats) and onto Rosses Point.

Yeats loved Rosses Point and first experimented with the paranormal here, encouraged by his cousin’s housekeeper who had the ‘second sight’. Today excellent restaurants and pubs meet all your needs – even if they can’t predict your future!.

Knocknarea, Culleenamore and Ballysadare

Driving south from Sligo a trip around Knocknarea by Strandhill and Culleenamore is rewarding. If you are fit, a walk to the top of Knocknarea and the mythological burial cairn of Queen Maeve is comparatively easy and the whole of the Land of Heart’s Desire is displayed below you.

As you leave Yeats Country take with you the beauty of the place so well immortalised by the Yeats Family.

Inishowen 100 Co. Donegal

It may sound like a Formula 1 race, but it gets its name from the approximate distance in miles of the signposted drive, which officially starts in Bridgend on the Inishowen Peninsula.

You will certainly not wish to break any speed records as you linger and savour the many scenic and historical gems which Inishowen, the biggest of the Donegal peninsulas, has to offer. The tour takes in Buncrana (Tullyarvan Mill, blue flag beaches), Ned’s Point & Dunree, Clonmany, Ballyliffin (A golfer’s paradise), Malin Head is Ireland’s most northerly point, Culdaff, Greencastle (Inishowen Maritime Museum and Planetarium), Moville and Redcastle (Leisureland).

There are many natural attractions along the route with some of the most breathtaking scenery for miles.

Download our Brochure Now! - Our Choice of Hand Picked Hotels and Cottages

Book Your Hotel On-line Now! - Hotels On-Line