Trip IdeasThe West Places
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Ballina
Ballina's chief attraction is fishing for salmon and trout in the River Moy and nearby Lough Conn. With a population of 7,500, this is the largest town in County Mayo. To some eyes, Ballina's town center... (more) -
Ballyvaughan
A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of Galway Bay and access to the Burren.... (more) -
The Burren
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Castlebar
The administrative capital of Mayo, Castlebar is a tidy little town with an attractive, tree-bordered green. Hatred of landlords ran high in the area, due to the ruthless, battering-ram evictions ordered... (more) -
Clifden
With roughly 1,100 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. It's far and away the prettiest town in Connemara, as well as its... (more) -
Cong
On a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border, the pretty, old-fashioned village of Cong, near Maam Cross, is dotted with ivy-covered thatched cottages, dilapidated... (more) -
Corofin
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Doolin
Once an enchanting backwater of multihued houses, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and disappear into the sea as limestone plateaux—now seems to consist... (more) -
Ennis
A major crossroads and a convenient stop between the West and the Southwest, Ennis is the main town of County Clare. The pleasant market town has an attractively renovated, pedestrian-friendly center... (more) -
Galway City
Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today and the ancient capital of the province of Connaught, Galway, with a current population... (more) -
Inis Meáin (Inishmaan)
The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and can be comfortably explored on foot. In fact, you have no alternative if you want to reach the island's... (more) -
Inis Mór (Inishmore)
With a population of 900, Inis Mór is the largest of the islands and the closest to the Connemara coast. It's also the most commercialized, its appeal slightly diminished by road traffic. In summer... (more) -
Inis Oirr (Inisheer)
The smallest and flattest of the islands, Inis Oirr can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted to linger on the long, sandy beach between the quay and the... (more) -
Kinvara
The picture-perfect village of Kinvara is a growing holiday base, thanks to its gorgeous bay-side locale, great walking and sea angling, and numerous pubs. It's well worth a visit, whether you're coming... (more) -
Kylemore Valley
One of the more conventionally beautiful stretches of road in Connemara passes through Kylemore Valley, which is between the Twelve Bens to the south and the naturally forested Dorruagh Mountains to the... (more) -
Lahinch
Noted for hotels packed with people touring the nearby Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch (also spelled Lehinch, at least on in-car sat-nav systems) is a busy resort village beside a long, sandy beach backed by... (more) -
Leenane
Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village noted for its role as the setting for the film The Field, which... (more) -
Letterfrack
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Lisdoonvarna
One of only three spa towns in Ireland (the others are Enniscrone, in western County Sligo, and Ballybunion, in County Kerry), Lisdoonvarna has several sulfurous and iron-bearing springs with radioactive... (more) -
Newmarket-on-Fergus
A small town in County Clare, Newmarket-on-Fergus is chiefly remarkable as the village nearest the famed hotel of Dromoland Castle, formerly the home of Lord Inchiquin, chief of the O'Brien clan.... (more) -
Oughterard
Bustling Oughterard (pronounced ook-ter-ard) is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling resorts. The prettiest part of the village is on the far (Clifden)... (more) -
Turlough
Before the opening of the Museum of Country Life, Turlough was chiefly visited for its round tower (freely accessible), which marks the site of an early monastery, traditionally associated with St. Patrick... (more) -
Westport
By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands and framed by mountain ranges. It's one of the most gentrified and Anglo-Irish... (more)
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