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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Cliffs of Moher / IrishFireside

Music is all over the Island. In any town or city in Ireland, there will likely be a pub that boasts of live traditional music in the evenings. The trick is to find something that is not specifically set up to cater to tourists. Some would say that the smaller the pub, the better the music.

Most of the best musicians are known for sticking around their local pub where they live. For example, Matt Malloy from Westport is often found playing in his small pub in Westport County May when he’s not on tour. Some of the best music on the Island can be found in a tiny village in West Clare called Doolin which is right on the edge of the sea.

For those who simply want to taste the Guinness and the Jameson’s, they will find both factories where their tipple is created in Dublin. Both factories offer tours, and of course, free samples, and Dublin offers endless options of pubs to continue the tasting experience!

Cahir Castle / Marcus Meissner

For the scenery, there will be few places in Ireland that disappoint. The Irish themselves will argue of where the real points of beauty are, but favourite spots for Tourists are the Ring of Kerry, and the Dingle Peninsula. The Cliffs of Moher in West Clare are another breath taking spot and for those who want to venture into the north of Ireland, the Giant’s causeway is another beautiful spot.

As the Irish were famous for emigrating around the world during the famous potato famine, descendants come from all over the world in search of their roots and to establish some sort of connection with the past. The Gaelic language also holds much fascination for Irish culture enthusiasts. The Aran Islands off the coast of County Claire are known for their preservation of the language, as well as the Dingle Peninsula.

Ireland vacations can narrow in on one aspect of the country, or be a combination of all of the above. Accommodation varies from hostels, cosy bed and breakfasts, to upmarket hotels. There is something for everyone.

Zak Clark is an experienced business writer, writing articles on behalf of Eirebus

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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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