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.

The post Outdoor Activities In West Ireland This Summer appeared first on Europe Explored.

Though flying to the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland is a good option, it will probably then mean a battle to get around the country.

For many people, not least stag parties, Dublin is their favourite destination in the Republic of Ireland. And the capital not only has many attractions but has a good transport system.

So anyone intending to limit their Irish holiday to a weekend in Dublin will not be inconvenienced by not having a car, if they choose to fly there.

There is an excellent bus service in Dublin, and if you wish to travel north or south of the city centre then it is a good idea to use the Dublin Area Rapid Transit. That is an electric train service which runs from Howth in the north to the lovely seaside town of Bray in the south.

Flying into Dublin Airport is a pleasant experience, just a short hop from Great Britain, and you can then take Aircoach into the city centre.

However, Ireland has such wonderful towns and countryside that it is a real shame to limit your time in Ireland to just Dublin. Plus Dublin Hotels, food and attractions are expensive – as you would find in any capital city – so if you’re planning on staying in Ireland for a bit longer, it pays to spread your wings and explore other, more cost-effective parts of the country.

However, those who want to explore Ireland will find that the Irish rail system is not the best. It is possible, though not speedy, to get to lovely towns like Limerick and Galway by rail, but the best way to get around is by car. You can then choose to stay away from city centres, where you find cheap hotels, as opposed to the pricier establishments closer to the centre that are designed to trap those tourists who are unable to stay anywhere else.

Car hire in the Republic of Ireland, however, is generally not as cheap as in the U.K., which can add considerably to the total cost of your trip.

Definitely worth considering is the option of taking the ferry to Ireland. However, depending where in the U.K. you live, that can involve a lengthy drive.

Ferry connections between the two countries, via the Irish Sea, are available from Holyhead, Birkenhead, Doughlas, Stranraer, Cairnryan, Troon, Swansea, Fishguard and Pembroke.

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