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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Flying to Ireland will necessitate car hire once you get there, but the airports have dealers in convenient locations. You might get a brand of American car you never heard of before. The major manufacturers have different models in European countries that may have a bit more style even if they are basically the same as the American versions.

The Dingle Peninsula, Ireland by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

The Dingle Peninsula is a good example of a driving tour. Starting in Tralee, go west and around the peninsula ending at Castlemaine Harbour. Take in the Gallarus Oratory, a stone chapel built by monks some time after 600 A.D., that still stands in excellent condition.

Another trip that car hire easily accommodates is just south of Dingle in the Ring of Kerry. Starting at Killarney on the Iveragh Peninsula, circle west and around to Killorglin. Muckross House, just over three miles from Killarney, is a 65-room estate with lovely gardens. Queen Elizabeth visited the estate in 1861.

These two peninsulas are some of the most beautiful places on earth, and National Geographic agrees. Driving is the best way to see them because there are so many possibilities for sight-seeing and photography all the way around both areas. Rain or shine, these locales have been photographed extensively by professionals and visitors for decades. Being able to stop and get out of the car any time is invaluable. The right photograph can be framed and enjoyed for years.

Ring of Kerry, Ireland by DI Florian Fuchs

The coastal areas around the entire country are quite photogenic, and car hire touring is the best way to stop and take advantage of the scenery at a whim. Tour buses whiz by fields with ancient stone walls and hillsides of patchwork squares in different shades of green.

There are mountain vistas in various places in Ireland, as well, and seeing them by car is a sure way to enjoy them at leisure. County Wicklow has impressive mountain areas most easily accessed by car. There is no public transportation up into the mountains, so seeing the whole county is easiest by car.

Also in Wicklow is the Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall. It takes time to see all of the gardens, the house and the waterfall, so a car allows for an entire day of sightseeing. Don’t worry about a tour bus leaving without you; go by car and enjoy it fully. This is another site that has been photographed too many times to count.

Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland by DorinRodina

Glendalough, also in Wicklow, is an important historic site in a glacial valley. The name means “glen of two lakes.” Ireland is blessed with unparalleled beauty, and this is one more place in which to witness it in panoramic views from the hills. The remaining chapel and other structures from the seventh century are good reasons to go, and the lakes are unbelievably picturesque.

Many visitors come down to Wicklow from Dublin to hike, but the whole county has attractions that should not be missed. The shoreline is stunning as well. Don’t miss any of it. Hop in the car and see all of Ireland’s majestic views at your own rate.

This has been a guest post from Skedaddle, your best friend when it comes to planning road trips.

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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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