Kylemore
Abbey | Galway City | Aran
Islands | The
Burren | Aillwee
Cave | Cliffs of
Moher
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Kylemore Abbey located in beautiful scenery in the heart of the Twelve Beos in Connemara, is home to the Irish Benedictine nuns. The Abbey was originally built in 1868 by a Manchester business magnale Mitchell Henry, for his wife Margaret. Its design is neo-gothic and the house displays all the features of that period.
The Benedictine nuns bought the house in 1920, having fled their convent in Ypres, Belgium in 1914, where they ran an international boarding school for girls for over 300 years. They re-established the school here and it is still very much alive today. Today you can enjoy the "Peace and Tranquillity" of Kylemore Abbey by visiting the Abbey and Gothic Church or the recently restored Victorian walled garden.
Abbey & Tea Rooms:
Open all year 9.00am to 5.30pm (except Christmas Week & Good Friday)
Craft
Shop:
Open March - December 9.00am to 6.00pm (except Good Friday)
Garden:
Open Easter to October 10.30am to 4.30pm
Tel: 095
41146
Fax: 095 41145
Web: www.kylemoreabbey.com
Galway City
is situated at the mouth of the River Corrib and is a vibrant and cosmopolitan
place where the traditional and the modern sit comfortably together. Galway
grew up around a castle which the de Burgo family built in the 13th century.
In the following centuries, strong trade with France and Spain led to
prosperity for the local merchant families. Fourteen families controlled
the town and became known as the "Tribes of Galway".
Traces of Galway's rich medieval past can still be seen today. The most
impressive is Lynch's Castle on Shop Street, with a gargoyle, carved coat
of arms and stone mullioned windows. Today it is in daily use as a bank.
St. Nicholas Collegiate Church is a fine building where, according to
tradition, Christopher Columbus prayed before setting out for America.
Further down the street is the Spanish Arch - so named because of Galway's
trade with Spain - and the remains of the old city wall. A major part
of this wall can also be seen in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre where
it is a focal point in the design.
Eyre Square in the centre of Galway has a memorial garden to the late John F. Kennedy, who as President of the U.S., visited the city June, 1963. Other monuments include a sculpture of Padraic O Conaire, a pioneer in the Irish Literary Revival in the 20th century and an iron cannon presented to the Connaught Rangers at the end of the Crimean War.
Much of the city centre is pedestrianised and this has contributed to the intimate and friendly ambience. Ancient landmarks and retailing outfits reside together in harmony. Galway city is an "Aladdin's Cave" of goodies when it comes to shopping, so make sure you have plenty of time and energy for the experience! There are plenty of excellent restaurants and several theatres. Many of the pubs have live music sessions - these are usually free of charge. Worth a visit are Taaffe's on Shop Street and the Quays bar on Quay Street. There is always something happening in Galway and among the best-known events are the Galway Races (end July/early August), the Arts Festival (mid-end July) and the Oyster Festival (end September).
Galway city is about 20 minutes drive from the Spiddal Holiday Homes complex. There are several car parks located in the city centre.
Take a journey back in time and visit the Aran Islands, which are picturesquely situated at the mouth of Galway Bay. The Irish speaking islands are renowned for their unique way of life, where age old traditions co-exist comfortably with modern living. The islands have a rich history which can be seen from their ancient monuments, from both prehistoric and Christian times.
Inis Mor is the largest of the islands and includes several ancient stone forts and churches among its antiquities.
Dun Aengus is one of the most dramatic stone forts in Europe and it offers spectacular views to the North West. Kilronan is the island's main village - here you can visit Ionad Arann, the Aran Heritage Centre which introduces visitors to the landscape, culture and traditions of the Aran Islands.
Inis Meain, the middle island, is a wild mythical place of distinctive beauty, a botanical paradise and home to a wide variety of nesting birds. This is where the traditional Aran lifestyle is most apparent. Places to visit include the superb oval stone fort of Dun Chonchubhair and the island's one church which contains some beautiful stained glass windows by famous designer Harry Clarke.
Inis Oirr is the smallest of the three islands and is an outcrop of the famous Burren landscape in Co. Clare. It is a haven for botanists and nature lovers. It's most famous ruin is O'Brien's Castle, a 15th century tower house that stands within an ancient stone fort. The ruins of St. Kevin's Church (10th Century) and St Gobnait's Church (9th Century) are well worth visiting. Inis Oirr boasts one of the most beautiful beaches on the western seaboard.
How to get there
Island Ferries
Island Ferries provide a ferry service to the Aran Islands from Rossaveal (20 minutes drive from Spiddal Holiday Homes complex). The service operates all year round.
From April to October, there are 3 sailings per day to and from Inis Mor with extra sailings during the busy summer period.
From November to March, there are 2 sailings per day to and from Inis Mor.
There is 1 sailing to Inis Meain and on to Inis Oirr and 1 return sailing Inis Oirr to Inis Meain to Rossaveal per day throughout the year.
Of course all ferry sailings are dependant on suitable weather conditions and may at times be cancelled.
For exact ferry times and rates contact:
Information / Reservations
|
Island
Ferries Tel:
091 572050 |
Island
Ferries Tel:
091 568903 |
Aer Arann
Aer Arann provide an air taxi service to the Aran Islands from Connemara Regional Airport in Inverin (10 minutes drive from Spiddal Holiday Homes complex).
There are several daily flights to and from each of the islands with a reduced service in winter. Flight time is less than 10 minutes. Flights are also dependant on suitable weather conditions and may also be cancelled at times.
For exact times and rates contact:
Information / Reservations
Aer Arann
Connemara Regional Airport
Inverin
Co. Galway
Tel: 091
593034
Fax: 091 593238
The Burren, in North Clare and parts of South Galway covering an area of 160 sq km, is unique - it is like no other place in Ireland. There are no bogs and very few pastures. Instead there are huge pavements of limestone called 'clints' with vertical fissures in them called 'grikes'. Most of the drainage is underground in caves; but unless you are an experienced potholer these are not for you, as they are active, becoming flooded rivers in times of rain. However you may explore the Burren underworld in comfort within the developed cave at Aillwee, near Ballyvaughan.
Bleak though the place may appear, man has settled here since Stone-Age times. Evidence of his habitations and tombs are all around you; massive dolmens, wedge tombs and stone forts called cahers, (the homesteads of farmers of long ago), survive in various stages of preservation. Churches and castles indicate later periods of settlement.
The Burren is also famous for its plantlife. Limestone-loving plants such as foxgloves and rock roses grow here and the rock's microclimates also nurture plants found in the Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean regions. Botanists have attempted to find out why, but no one has come up with a complete answer.
Here too in the Burren, 26 of Ireland's 33 species of butterfly have been recorded, including its very own, the Burren Green.
Many of the views around the Burren are truly spectacular. You won't forget Corkscrew Hill and its vista across Galway Bay; or the journey around Black Head or the view from Ballinalacken Hill across to the Aran Islands.
With its stalactites, stalagmites, relics of bears, and a waterfall, the superb Aillwee Cave has become one of Ireland's leading attractions. An essential part of any tour to the Burren. Open daily, mid-March to early November. (approx 70 minute drive from Galway city).
The Aillwee
Cave is open daily, from 10.00am to 5.30pm Mid-March to 4th November.
10.00am to 6.30pm July and August.
Tel: 065
7077036
Extending for 8km (5 miles), these majestic cliffs are among the most outstanding natural features of the West of Ireland. The cliffs rise to a spectacular 600ft (200m) and offer wonderful views of the Aran Islands. The cliffs have a fine watchtower and a visitors' centre.
Visitors'
Centre: 9.30am to 5.00pm
Open all year.
Tel of tourist
office within visitors' centre: 065 7081171