County Galway

County Galway is one of Ireland's most beautiful counties with the Connemara region being the most popular destination. Two of Ireland's largest lakes, Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, also provide wonderful scenery and are especially popular with anglers. The north of the county borders County Mayo whare you will find the links at Carne and Enniscrone. The luxurious Ashford Castle near Cong is between Loughs Corrib and Mask and is also in Mayo.

The Connemara region is in the west of County Galway, dominated by the mountain range known as The Twelve Bens (or Pins) and the Atlantic coast. The scenery is splendid, rugged and haunting with vast areas of isolation. There are pmety of attractions including Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey and the pretty fishing village of Roundstone. Clifden is the principal tourist town with many shops and galleries and a wide range of accommodation choices.

Galway City is Ireland's fourth largest and best city. It is small and compact, full of character and provides excellent shopping, restaurants and pubs. Galway city accommodations are listed separately. Across Galway Bay the village of Kinvara is a fishing village where you can still see (and possibly sail in) a Galway Hooker.

Connemara Golf Links on the west coast just south of Clifden is undoubtedly the star golfing attraction - a wonderful links created by the legendary Eddie Hackett. South of Galway city, just outside Oranmore, is Galway Bay Golf & Country Club, a fine parkland course on the shores of the famous bay. Gort Golf Club is further south on the border with County Clare on the edge of the Burren region and is a varied and challenging test.

See also our region guide to the west or visit the official County Galway tourism website .