Nephin Mountains, Ireland by Anthony Hickey

Cycling

West Ireland has long been a popular region for cycling because of it diverse landscapes. Visitors will be spoiled for choice with the many cycling trails and tours available throughout the region that include self-guided, guided and family tours.

County Mayo is home to Ireland’s longest off-road cycling trail, the Great Western Greenway. Stretching for 42 kilometers, or 26 miles, along an unused railway line, this fantastic trail offers gorgeous views of sprawling countryside sprinkled with medieval ruins, the Nephin Mountains and the marvelous Seven Arches Bridge in Newport.

Seven Arches Bridge in Newport, Ireland by Laurel Lodged

Various trails will lead cyclists through the cobblestone streets of lively cities like Galway, across the dreamy scenery of Connemara and through the traditional villages of Gaelic-speaking people. Other trails wind along the cracked limestone area of the Burren, through grassy meadows dotted with grazing sheep, beneath looming mountains, around serene lakes and along the windswept shores of the Aran Islands. Cycling in West Ireland also provides the opportunity to view wild Connemara ponies, beautiful flora, prehistoric ruins and impressive castles.

Angling

Miles of coastline and thousands of rivers, lakes and streams make West Ireland an angler’s paradise. With more than 80 different species of saltwater fish, West Ireland offers some of the best shore angling in Europe. Sport anglers from all over the world come to the storm beaches of Galway, Clare and Mayo to reel in the likes of flounder, dogfish and mackerel.

What’s more the quality of freshwater angling in the rivers and lakes of West Ireland is excellent. For example, the Owenduff River in County Mayo is a great place to fly fish for salmon and trout while the lakes of Doon and Cullaun in County Clare are popular for boat fishing. There are numerous boat hires, guides and tours available for angling in West Ireland including catch and cook tours.

Horse Riding

Horse riding is another fabulous outdoor activity in West Ireland. The region is teeming in stables and tour operations to accommodate visitors with horses and guides. Tours can be arranged anywhere from an hour outing to a day trip to a week excursion. Riders will enjoy cantering along trails through the quiet woodlands and rolling green hills of County Clare’s Slieve Aughty Mountains. Other trails will lead riders along the peaceful River Shannon, around ancient stone circles and along the majestic Cliffs of Moher.

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland by Germán Póo-Caamaño

While the Ring of Kerry is noted for its scenic drives, this stunning trail can also be experienced by horse riding. Riders on the Ring of Kerry will fall in love with the spectacular scenery here that encompasses lush green fields, tranquil lakes, charming cottages and hawthorne trees, which are rumored to be the gathering places of fairies.

Walking

The breathtaking landscapes of West Ireland are peppered with walking trails that meander from colorful villages through patchwork fields, around purple-haze mountains and along rugged coastline. One of the most popular walking trails is the Kerry Way, which begins and ends in the lively village of Killarney.

Kerry Way, Ireland by Dirtsc

The Killarney National Park also offers fantastic trails that stretch along shimmering lakes, through rock tunnels, enchanted forests and moss-covered paths that lead to refreshing waterfalls. A rambling trail through the Ceide Fields allows walkers to experience the world’s largest stone-age settlement ever excavated.

Author Bio: Kevin Caldwell is a creative writer for Airport Hotel Guide who specializes in helping travelers find hotels near the airports they visit. Kevin travels often and enjoys sharing his experiences and advice with others.

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The islands are created by the limestone, which is in many places furrowed by thousands of cracks. Originally, scientists believed that the islands are remnants of glacial activity, but now it is believed they were modeled by a strong erosion. Today they are islands without any trees.

On the islands the main spoken language is Irish and local people still care about their traditions and customs. People living here symbolize the kind of relentless self-sufficiency. Since the Aran Islands were always isolated from the mainland by Atlantic Ocean, the life here was rather primitive until the 18th century. The most important source of livelihood of local people was fishing and sheep farming. With the influx of tourists the life here began to change rapidly. There is still a strong tradition of the original way of life, which you will not find anywhere else in Ireland. This is the only place where you can enjoy the true atmosphere of Irish pubs, art and rural.

The biggest of Aran Islands is Inishmore with its length of 14.4 km. It has a natural small port Kilronan. The port is a great attraction for tourists, because in addition to the spectacular view of all sorts of boats it also offers a small marketplace where you can buy some of the typical fishing sweaters that are knit on the island. Here you can get by a regular ferry from Rossaveal – a village 20km far from Galway City. You can move through the island by a minibus, or you can hire a pony and trap. But if you want to experience the true atmosphere of the island and its rugged landscape, go to explore it on foot or by bike.

The most visited place is undoubtedly Dunaengus – the port of King Aengus. You can see there a huge semicircular stone fortress, which was built probably more than 2000 years ago. This place is usually overcrowded with tourists. If you prefer a quieter place then you should go to Dún Dúchathair, which is a black fort situated about 3 km from Dunaengus. On the island of Inishmore, there’s a lot of other places that are worth seeing – churches, fortresses and ancient buildings that have a mysterious spirit and flair.

Cheerful and relaxed atmosphere is on the Isle of Inisheer, which is slightly smaller than Inishmore. You can walk through it within an hour. You will feel like on a journey into prehistory and into the farthest corners of the Earth. The life here runs like a hundred years ago. Here you can learn what the real Ireland is about.

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Cliffs of Moher, Ireland by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

The O’Brien’s Tower is a popular stopping point for those wishing to see the Cliffs of Moher. It was in 1835 when Sir Cornelius O’Brien built the famous tower as a means of impressing a lady. People who climb up to the top of the tower can be afforded some of the most awe-inspiring views imaginable.

The name of the cliffs is derived from the fort that was built hundreds of years ago at Hag’s Head. Fort Moher was still standing back in 178 when it was first mentioned to have existed. However, the old fort was torn down back in 1808 in order to make a tower in the area.

There are more than thirty thousand birds, spanning 20 species that call the Cliffs of Moher their home. People who visit the area will be able to see the Atlantic Puffin which thrives in the area surrounding Goat Island. The other popular birds that live along the cliffs include hawks, gulls as well as guillemots.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience is the welcoming center for those who chose to visit the cliffs. Designed to be environmentally responsible, the entire welcome center makes use of renewable energy. The heating is provided by geothermal means and the power is from solar panels in the roof.

While it may cost to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, it is worth the small price. Inside there are a number of exhibits that are dedicated to the cliffs, their history and the life along them. You can even arrange to take a ferry trip along the base of the cliffs so that you can view them from the Atlantic Ocean.

So if you are planning on visiting Ireland, then you have to stop by and check out the Cliffs of Moher.

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