Get to Know Another Side of Ireland: Galway and Clare

Visit:

Inis Mor: The largest of the Aran Islands that sit at the entrance to Galway Bay, Inis Mor boasts one of Ireland’s most impressive archaeological sites, Dun Aonghasa, a stone fort dating from the second century BC.

Connemara: Rightfully considered one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland, this region just west of Galway City is home to a national park and is the largest gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) in the country.

Burren National Park: The stark landscape of the Burren is as nuanced as it is iconic. Fields of what appear at first glance to be bare limestone are revealed on closer inspection to house a variety of unique plants and animals, as well as numerous megalithic tombs built thousands of years ago.

Aillwee Cave: Tour this impressive cave, sample local cheese and meet majestic birds of prey.

Cliffs of Moher: These windswept cliffs are a geological wonder and probably Ireland’s number one selfie spot. Be sensible and stay behind the barriers!

Festivals: Galway is one of only five cities in the world to be recognized as a UNESCO Creative City. As such, it is home to numerous festivals. The biggest is the Galway Arts Festival, held every July. For two weeks, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, comedy shows and lively discussions with leading creative voices enliven the already vibrant town.

Galway is also a UNESCO City of Film and the Galway Flim Fleadh is one of Ireland’s most important film festivals. Even if you’re not in town for the fleadh, check out a film at Palas, an arthouse cinema showing the latest independent films from Ireland and around the world.

Beaches:

Grattan Beach: The soft white sand of Grattan Beach is a welcome place of serenity just steps from the lively Salthill neighborhood of Galway City.

Silverstrand Beach: Just west of Galway City and down a country lane is an unspoiled piece of rocky coastline ideal for a picnic or a surf session.

Shop:

Kennys Bookshop: Along with a vast selection of new and used books in all genres (the Irish history section is particularly good), Kennys also has an adjacent art gallery with rotating exhibitions of Irish contemporary art.

The Burren Perfumery: Learn about perfume making and sample from a diverse collection of fragrances made with local botanicals. Be sure to enjoy a complimentary coffee or tea in the cozy tearoom.

Galway Saturday Market: One of the pleasures of visiting Ireland is the abundance of locally sourced food. You will find fresh-caught seafood, seasonal produce, handmade cheese, baked goods, crafts and even skincare.

• The Pullman - Fine dining in one of the train cars from the original Orient Express

• Dough Brothers - Best pizza in Ireland and one of the top-rated pizzerias in Europe

• Pratai - The name says it all (potatoes in Irish)— they do just one thing and that’s chips perfectly cut, fried and sauced

• Connemara On a Plate — Another perfect description of exactly what you will get— what’s on the menu is straight from the fields and sea that surround you

• Aileens (Oceanview Restaurant) Armada Hotel - A romantic hideaway with a panoramic view of the Atlantic

• The Arches Claregalway — A lovely spot for upscale pub fare while you watch the Sunday match

• The Lane - A cozy cafe in Druid’s Lane

• The Cellar — Grab a pint and head to the basement on Wednesday night to see a free showcase of Galway’s up-and-coming comedians

• The Kings Head — With over 800 years of history, The Kings Head is an authentic medieval pub but with all the modern amenities from local craft beer to a detailed menu that lists the farms where their ingredients are sourced

• Massimo - Located in Galway’s West End, despite having been around since 2000, this pub always feels on-trend, attracting a crowd of local artists and offering a nicely curated selection of signature cocktails.