Galway Day Trips

Connemara

Wild and barren, Connemara is a stunning patchwork of bogs, green valleys, mountains and lakes. On the coast are beautiful fishing villages and some superb white beaches washed by turquoise water - if by chance the weather is good, one could mistake it for Paradise. The Connemara National Park encompasses the remarkable granite peaks of the Twelve Bens and is wonderful walking country.

E-mail: info@connemara-tourism.org; Website: www.connemara-tourism.org; Telephone: Connemara Tourism: (0)95 22622

Aran Islands

Aran Islands, with their magnificent wild terrain, display evidence of the years of battering by wind and water. The islands - Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer - lie about 30 miles (48km) out across the mouth of Galway Bay and are criss-crossed by miles of stone walls and dotted with some fine iron age archaeological sites. The islands' isolation allowed Irish culture to survive when it had all but disappeared elsewhere. Irish is still the native tongue, and until recently people still wore traditional Aran dress. The women still knit the famous Aran sweaters; historically each family used a different pattern in order to recognize fishermen drowned at sea. The islands are a haven for botanists and nature lovers with their abundance of flora, fauna and nesting birds.

E-mail: info@visitaranislands.com; Website: www.visitaranislands.com; Telephone: (099) 61355; Transport: Ferry from Galway City Dockside

Cliffs of Moher

The majestic Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top visitor sights overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in County Clare. The majestic cliffs rise from the ocean to a height of 702ft (214m) and extend for a distance of five miles (8km). Formed by layers of sandstone, shale and siltstone, the cliffs have stood unchanged for millions of years, and they welcome visitors who come to marvel at their splendour, and to enjoy views towards the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. The award-winning visitor centre offers an ultra-modern interpretive centre, Atlantic Edge, which includes interactive exhibits and displays, images, an audio visual show, and a virtual reality cliff face adventure.

E-mail: info@cliffsofmoher.ie; Website: www.cliffsofmoher.ie; Telephone: (0)65 708 6141; Opening time: New Visitor Experience opens 9am to 5.30pm (January, February), 9am to 6pm (March, April and October), 8.30am to 9pm (May to September), 9.30am to 5pm (November, December); Admission: €8 facilities charge per car. Atlantic Edge €4.95 (adults), €2.95 (children 4-16)