County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands Travel Guide
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
Guidebooks
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Fodor's Ireland 2013
Trade Paperback
Photo: Chris Hill/Tourism Ireland
With some of the most westerly seaboard in Europe, Galway, in the province of Connaught, and Clare, in the province of Munster, together form the region where the Irish go to reconnect with their heritage, whether by practicing their jigs at the Fleadh Nua folk festival, enjoying "the craic" at the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, visiting the ancient megalithic tombs of the Burren, or trading news with a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) resident. Wherever you go in the West, you'll not only see, but more important hear, how the best of traditional Ireland survives.
County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands Hotels
Some of Ireland's finest country-house and castle hotels are in this area. Dromoland Castle, between Shannon Airport and Ennis, provides a standard of luxury...read more
County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands Restaurants
Because the West provinces have a brief high season—from mid-June to early September—and a quiet off-season, it doesn't have as broad a choice...read more
Things To Do in County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands
Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.
Travel Deals in County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands
- Galway Savings! Book at Radisson Blu & Spa, Galway Fr $303+/Nt Expedia
- Book 3 Nts in Galway this May Fr $329+/Nt Save with Expedia, $20/night less
- Special deal: 3-Star The Western Fr $167+/Nt — $167 Expedia
- Clayton in May: $130 & Up — $130 Save with Expedia, $13/night less
- Stay Longer and Save!: Corrib Village in May — $49 Save with Expedia, $10/night less
County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands Experiences
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Ancient Aran: Spend at least one night on one of the Oileáin Árainn (Aran Islands), three outposts of Gaelic civilization, which... Read more
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Galway's founders were Anglo-Normans who arrived in the mid-13th century and fortified their settlement against "the native Irish," as local... Read more
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During the 1800s, the islands, wracked by famine and mass emigration, were virtually forgotten by mainland Ireland. At the turn of the 20th century... Read more
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There's no question about it: they have a different look in Galway. People have always dressed differently, because they dress for the Galway... Read more
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Locals get up very early on Saturday in Galway in order to get the pick of the goods on offer at the Saturday food market. As many as 90 colorful... Read more
News & Features
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Trip Ideas
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News, Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises to debut in May 2015 with a small ship, all-inclusive experience in Scandinavia and... Read more
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News, Airlines
Apparently 2013 is the year of major airline uniform upgrades.... Read more
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