lotty

Hello all,
I have two,(maybe three) questions that I hope someone can help me with. This post deals with the first - I will be staying in a cottage in Cleggan for a week the end of April. I have never stayed so far north before and I'm hoping someone can give good advice on sites not to be missed. I'm looking forward to seeing connemara, but we so love to see the unusual and often overlooked. How far do you think we can travel from this base in car / ferry? Are the Aran Islands too far for a day trip? Help!?? I hope someone has suggestions for us. Thanks!
Also wondering what the weather will be like at that time of year? Cold??

Holldoll

Cleggan is a neat little town. Good place to go horseback riding! Nearby places to go are Kylemore Abbey and the town of Clifden (both very close). Also nearby is Connemara National Park at Letterkenny, and in Letterkenny be sure to drive up Renvyle Peninsula, which is gorgeous. An easy day trip is Westport, and well worth it to go via the "scenic" route through Louisburgh so you go through DooLoo (sp?) Valley, site of great famine walk. Anywhere in Connemara I think is beautiful. Very rugged remote country and I love it. Another day trip to Roundstone and stop by and see Ballynahinch Castle, or perhaps lunch there. I've not done a day trip to the Arans, but I think with an early rise you could do it.

beach_dweller

lotty,

we stayed three nights in nearby Clifden and loved the Connemara region. We visited Cleggan, and we really liked that area as well. The beautiful, rocky coast is dotted with great beaches, some small, some large, all different.

I think you could make a day-trip from Cleggan to Aran Islands, but that would be pushing it. I suggest visiting Kylemore Abbey, Clifden (drive or walk the Sky Road), Roundstone (drive through the peat bogs on the "bog road" from Clifden), and you could also spend some time in Westport just to the north--that was a beautiful little town, as well as explore nearby Achill (sp?) Island.

Connemara is fairly compact, you can do lots of driving trips. That area is probably best for just exploring, getting "lost," soaking up the awesome scenery (reminded me somewhat of the Isle of Skye in Scotland). That is, I am not sure you need to plan much.

I can't say about the weather in April, as we were there in August.

I would be shocked if you don't fall in love with Connemara.

Bette

We visit this area often as I have family in the area. I recommend a visit to Inishbofin - the ferry leaves from the Cleggan pier. It is a short trip, perhaps 45 minutes. It is a lovely island and not as "touristy" as the Aran Islands (IMHO). Also, visit Omey Island at low tide - very beautiful and only about 10 minutes drive from Cleggan.
P.S. Our dog's name is Cleggan!!

lotty

Thank you everybody! WOW! I had NO idea there was that much to see so close. My husband will be in heaven - not the kind of guy who like to 'plan' too much. I just can't wait!! Getting lost is what I'm best at!

Holldoll

Correction to my earlier post: I means Letterfrack, not Letterkenny. Sorry! Again, Connemara, as others said, is an area where it is just wonderful to simply drive around--especially taking little tiny side roads and see where you go. Just leaving Cleggan going toward Clifden there's a road to the left that goes across a causeway between the sea and sort of a lagoon--we took that road and it just kept winding and getting smaller. We did eventually join the N59 somewhere around Kylemore Abbey area, and it was such a fun little side trip. There are tons of little roads like that in that area. You'll love it!

lotty

Thanks Holldoll(&everybody)
I love to just'drive around'and see where I end up. I also don't mind at ALL asking for directions. Guess I'm used to losing my way, but I think that's half the fun!