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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1. Tour the lakes on foot, bike, or boat

Killarney National Park has the famous Lakes of Killarney, along with mountains, islands, waterfalls and more. This beautiful landscape is fabulous for walking or biking, giving you time to discover the area, enjoy the scenery, and savor the serenity of the park. Depending on your energy level and preferences, you can walk to your heart’s content on the quiet paths around the lakes, or you can rent a bike in town so you can cover more distance. The extensive trail network gives you a lot of options, and you can pick up a trail map at the park information center. There are also boat tours that leave from Ross Castle, so you can get views of the park from the water.

Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Kerry, Ireland by Jim Linwood

2. See how Irish chieftains lived at Ross Castle

During the Middle Ages, a number of Irish Chieftains ruled different pieces of Ireland, warring between themselves. One such chieftain, O’Donoghue, built Ross Castle as his stronghold. This chunky castle with its strong, fortified tower was built for warfare. Everything in the castle was designed to aid the defenders in battle. The entryway, the spiral staircase, the parapets, and much more had special design characteristics for protection under attack. Be sure to take the castle tour – it’s hugely interesting. Not only will you learn about these interesting castle design details, but you’ll learn a lot about how the Irish lords and their households lived in the Middle Ages.

3. Picnic amid the ruins of an early monastery

In the middle of the lake is Innisfallen Island, with a set of evocative ruins to explore. A monastery was founded here in the year 640, that operated for over 800 years. This was also a center for education, and the lake was nicknamed the “Lake of Learning”. The famous Irish king Brian Boru was educated here, and other wealthy families sent their princes here to be taught by the monks. Today, the buildings are in ruins, with stone walls giving it an eerie sense of majesty and spirituality. You can take a small boat out to the island from Ross Castle, and spend some time exploring the ruins and the island. This is also a fabulous place for a picnic lunch. It’s quiet and secluded – you may even have the place to yourselves.

Ruins of monastery on Innisfallen Island, Ireland by Bkwillwm

4. Visit stately Muckross House and farms

Fast forward a few centuries to the 1800s, when the luxurious and imposing Muckross House was built. The owners spent lavishly, preparing the house and its gardens for a visit by Queen Victoria. You can tour the house (furnished in authentic period style), and find out about their elegant lifestyle. After touring the house, see how the other half lived, at the Muckross traditional farms. History comes alive as these working farms recreate the typical life of an Irish farmer – a simple and hardworking way of life. There are also artisan shops that practice traditional methods of spinning, weaving and pottery making. Of course, they sell some of the products right there, too.

5. Ride in an Irish jaunting car

A jaunting car is a type of horse drawn carriage, and this is the perfect way to get back to Killarney town at the end of your national park visit. You’ll see drivers and their horses in the park, who are happy to give you the scenic drive back to town. Your driver can point out sights of interest along the way, tell silly jokes, or answer any questions you may have. While the horse carries you along through this peaceful park, it’s easy to imagine being back in the old days, when this was a normal way of traveling. What a fitting end to a lovely day!

Horse drawn carriage in Killarney National Park, Ireland by Deanna Keahey

Deanna Keahey is a lifelong traveler, who ran an international travel company for years. Today, you’ll find her out traveling, hiking, and exploring. Deanna writes about travel clothes and accessories at Best-Travel-Clothes.com, and you can find her on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.

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Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Kerry, Ireland by Jim Linwood

There are many terrifying places all over the world but keeping a bit closer to home we start with Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. This 250 year old home is also home to several ghostly goings on from noises of a horse and cart on the courtyard, footsteps in corridors, a man who walks through walls and a murder victim who sits outside seemingly reflecting on something. Apparently if you want a guaranteed scary stay, room four is the place for you.

Chillingham Castle situated in Alnwick, Northumberland is the home of a blue boy that can be heard whimpering. The boy’s bones and small bits of blue clothing were found behind a wall where his cries were heard. It has been said that he could have been imprisoned behind this wall. There has also been story of the spirit of Lady Mary Berkeley said to haunt the corridors searching, to no avail, for her husband who apparently ran off with her sister.

Chillingham Castle, England, UK by Glen Bowman

Moving over to Ireland for a look at some of their sinister spots first there’s Ross Castle in County Meath. Not only is this castle classed as one of the most haunted places in Ireland, it is also considered one of the most haunted places in Britain. In 1533 the castle was built, on the edge of Lough Sheelin, by the Lord of Devon (the Black Baron). His daughter Sabina is said to be the one that haunts the castle today. The stories say that she fell in love with a handsome man and met him on a bridge near the edge of the castle. The two however, were not considered an appropriate match as she was English but he was Irish. The two decided to elope so that they could be together, so they took a boat onto the lake; however a storm hit and capsized the boat. Orwin (Sabina’s lover) hit his head on a rock beneath the surface of the water and died she however was saved. When she saw Orwin’s body she is said to have let out a blood curdling scream, she later died of shock. They were both buried together within the castle grounds. Sabina now haunts the castle; her screams can be heard around 3 and 4 am. Her father is also said to haunt the castle still grieving the death of his daughter.

These are just a few of the many terrifying places in the UK and Ireland, but these are said to be the scariest.

This article was written by Liam Gibbs – who loves to buy fancy dress – for www.mycostumes.ie.

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