Gaeltacht Travel in Ireland

A typical view of the Galway Gaeltacht. Copyright GaeltachtTravel.com.

Connemara’s Landscape

County Galway is the heart of Cúige Chonnacht (Connaught, or Connacht), Ireland’s western province. The West is known for its traditional, rural, sparsely populated land, with windy mountains and countryside speckled with low stone walls and peat bogs. The rough Atlantic coastline gives shelter to numerous prehistoric sites such as the ring forts on the Aran Islands, and the tower houses.

Places to visit in Connemara

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County Galway is also home to Loch Coiribe (Lough Corrib, the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland), Na Beanna Beola (Twelve Bens) mountain range, Na Sléibhte Mhám Toirc (the Maum Turk mountains), and the low mountains of Sliabh Echtghe (Slieve Aughty).

For places to stay in Connemara (Conamara), visit our Galway Gaeltacht Accommodation. Aran-Isles.com has some nice tips on what to do and where to stay in Connemara.

The Aran Islands // Na hOileáin Árann

Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oirr are the three Aran Islands (Oiléain Árainn), formed from a limestone ridge. The islands offer cultural and natural delights. The Aran Islands make up part of the Gaeltacht regions of Co. Galway, where a vibrant Irish-speaking community is to be found. Exposed to the roughness of the Atlantic ocean the islands offer amazing views of the endless blue and on the other hand the austere landscape crisscrossed with stone walls.

In the 5th century, St. Enda brought Christianity to the islands, starting a long monastic tradition. Isolated and protected from external influence the islands remained a bastion of traditional Irish culture.

Among the attractions of the Inis Mór island are:

• The Dún Duchathair, Dún Aonghasa and Dún Eochla forts, dating back to Bronze and Iron Age
• Dún Eoghanachta fort from 1st-century BC
• A beehive built by early Christian settlers – Clochán na Carraige
• Teampall Chiaráin – a 12th century church dedicated to St. Ciarán
• The Seven Churches (Na Seacht dTeampaill) – a monastic settlement dedicated to St Brecan, built between 9th and 15th centuries.

An Cheathrú Rua

An Cheathrú Rua is a small vibrant town at the heart of the Conamara Gaeltacht. The population swells during the summers months with people visiting here to learn the language. An Cheathrú Rua sits within its own small peninsula. At the end of this peninsula is a great view from the small beach of the Atlantic and Conamara mountains.

Galway City // Cathair na Gaillimhe

Galway city is, without a doubt Ireland’s capital of the arts and hosts numerous colourful festivals and events throughout the year. While it is not within the Gaeltacht, the Irish language is quite prominent in the city. It’s supposedly the fastest growing city in Europe. With its cobbled streets and laid-back attitude, it is an ideal destination for a city break. The fastest growing city in Europe, Galway is a vibrant university city with its city centre, a labyrinth of winding medieval streets, squares and waterways.

If you walk the streets of Galway in July, you’ll find yourself among artists of the world attending Galway Arts Festival. In early August, Galway hosts the Galway Races Festival and if you like the music of medieval, Renaissance and baroque periods you should visit Galway when it hosts the Early Music Festival. A fan of oysters (and Guinness) will be amused by International Oyster Festival and a fan of films will be pleased to hear there is such an event as Galway Film Fleadh.

Tags: regions