So if you are looking for something active to do or a leisurely break I have found 10 of Galway’s top spots to enjoy.
I have come across some lovely things for you and the family to do.

Killlary Adventure Centre
Located roughly 60 minutes by car from Claregalway is the fantastic Killlary Adventure Centre. Situated on Irelands Fjord, the center offers a wide range of activities for all ages. Activities are scheduled every day in two time slots. 10:00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 to 5 p.m.

Killary Cruise: This two hour Cruise around the beautiful Killary Fjord is well worth the journey to this corner of Connemara. Described as the best thing to do in Ireland on a wet day the Fjord comes alive when the rain arrives. The rain brings the many mountain streams alive, which can be seen cascading down the steep mountainsides to the shore. To add to that, the cruise offers a unique money back guarantee – you will not get sea sick. On the weekends Kids go free so which is great value. This is a great afternoon activity.
4. Day walking on the Island of InisBoffin; the unique island of InisBoffin is located 10km of the North West corner of Connemara. About a 70 minute drive via Cong from the Claregalway Hotel. The journey across to the island form Cleggan,(just minutes from Clifden) is only 30 minutes. The island is a haven of beauty, boasting magnificent scenery from the cliff top walks to white sandy beaches and an abundance of rare flora and fauna. Your walk will take you by seal colonies and the many species of wild life. You may even get a chance to take in some swimming or, for the more adventurous, some diving before you return to Cleggan and home to Claregalway.

Cycling or Walking Trough Connemara National Park:
The Connemara National Park is situated in the Town Lands of Letterfrack along the N59 Clifden to Westport road. It boasts a mind boggling 5,000 plus acres of mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Now I don’t expect you to take it all in one day but the established trails along the diamond hill walks for foot or for bike will give you a taste of what the park has to offer. Access to the park is free for all the family and is open to from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm each day. For the less adventurous the visitor centre includes 3D exhibition, AV theater talk rooms and a children’s play ground picnic area.

Hawk Walk around Ashford Castle:
Now for something completely different. Just 25 minutes from the Claregalway Hotel in the Village of Cong and on the Grounds of Ashford Castle is Irelands School of Falconry. This offers you a chance to fly the hawk around the grounds of Ashford Castle in a one hour private Halk walk. You have to do this to believe it but within minutes you will be setting of around the magnificent woodlands of Ashford Castle to fly your hawk free. As you fly the hawks through the grounds they will follow you flying from tree to tree before swooping down to land back on your glove fist. The team at the School of Falocnery caters for all age groups, ablitites and families. Spectators are welcome to accompany you for free. Bookings are by appointment only which we are happy to do for you here at reception of the hotel. They are quite accommodating and I am sure they will be able to fit you in a short notice.

Scuba Dive West:
Now if you are like me and would be a bit reluctant to challenge your self to an activity that involves putting an oxygen life support mechanism into your mouth and call it fun then you would run 100 miles form Scuba Dive West, but trust me once you push past the nerves, this is a must. With the supervision of Experienced Scuba Dive instructors this adventure is ideal for beginners with all the dives undertaken in a beautiful sheltered seawater cove. The fantastic waterfront location means that all the training is conducted at the shore. The facilities also include showers and café.
8. Kylemore Abby: I have to say with embarrassment that it is only 4 years ago that I first visited this iconic Abbey and its Gardens. Once a boarding school for girls from all over Ireland Kylemore Abby has appeared on many films, postcards and imagery of Ireland. The brochure boasts –“Originally built as a castle in 1867 this abbey and 1,000 acre estate is steeped in history with tales of tragedy and romance, engineering initiatives , model farm, royal visits , spirituality and the fore mentioned educators” – I can confirm that the abbey is indeed breathtaking. You have to experience the victorain atmosphere of the abbey’s miniature gothic church and the head gardeners House. There are nature trails woodlands and lakeshore walks to be discovered. I suppose the highlight or should I say my highlight was the Victorian walled garden – 6 acres I believe in all. Our guide informed us that only Victorian varieties of flowers and vegetables are grown. Vegetables and herbs from the gardens are served in the café where you can enjoy the wonderful foods prepared from recipes of the Benedictine nuns. The Drive to that corner of Connemara is only 60 minutes trough Cong and along the mamma valley.

Pure Skill Galway:
Now for something completely different. About 18 months ago Rugby Legend, Ireland and Munster Star Ronan O Gara opened this new indoor facility. Fascinated by what I read in the papers I managed to gather a few buddies on the wrong side of thirty to give it a go. To be honest I was not sure what to expect. Were we to old or too young!! Anyway, to say we had a great evening of fun as we laughed at the lack of coordination we had collectively lost over the years. So here is the low down on it …it has 10 different sports in automated arenas where we had to complete a score card of 100 points by completing all ten disciplines. These included soccer, baseball, golf, rugby, Gaelic, tennis, hurling, basketball and Ireland’s new International sport of Choice, Cricket!! The score will go with us to our grave but we kindly declined the other experiences such as the surf simulators, ‘Poc Fada’, electronic hockey nets and much more. So if Dads and Moms want to show who the boss is – this might not be quite the place but if you are looking for a great family day this in the place. Believe you and me the banter will last long after you return home and it is sure to bring a smile to your face!!
Day Trip on the Aran Islands: (Coach, Bike or Walk)
Tourism, like fishing and farming is in the DNA of the people. From my fathers time we have welcomed such famous people as Syng and Pearce where they enjoyed the solitude of the Islands. Today a 40 minute drive from the Claregalway Hotel (City traffic permitting) you will arrive in the port of Ros a Mheil. Forty minutes later you arrive on the Inis Mór. As the boat nears the pier it glides in and you feel life’s burden being lifted of your shoulders. Friends of mine who visit the island say what they enjoy most is the than you can almost hear the sound of silence- the synergy of life’s two paces work well here. You can enjoy a tour bus return journey from the pier as you take in the world famous sights from Dun Angus to the Teaghlach Éinne. Each have thousands of years of history stored in their stone work. You seriously walk trough history when you step on the Island of Saints and Scholars.
The ferry leaves at 10.30 each morning and return at 5.00pm each evening. If you wish to stay overnight we would be happy to recommend my sisters Guest House Ard Einne. We can book your rooms for you.

Brigit’s Gardens & Glengowla Mines:
Just a 15 minutes drives separates these two attractions. Glengowla Mines are tree kilometers west of the town of Oughterard Village. These mines are new to the Tourist Trail. They are Silver & Lead Mines form the 19th Centaury. I have to say it remarkable and very impressive example of our valuable (but limited) industrial heritage of Irelands past has been reclaimed, restored and transformed into a unique visitor attraction. The Mine which was in service until the mid 60s demonstrates the methods used to extract ore from the ground and in turn processing it. You are brought through large marble chambers and caverns studded with silver and led pyrite and veins of calcite and quartz along with other precious materials. Now in these hard times you also get the opportunity to pan for Gold!! Another lovely feature is that you can walk along the old Clifden to Galway Railway Line which over looks Connemara natural bog lands.

After enjoying the wonders of “middle earth” you can relax in the magical experience of Bridget’s Gardens in Roscahill. Relax in the basket swings and explore the cycle of seasons as you stroll trough the Celtic Gardens. They have a wonderful nature trail to which leads to a stone Chamber or Cranóg and the calendar sundial. The Gardens are family friendly with loads of little surprises for children of all ages to enjoy. What I love about he gardens is that it is a not for profit project and you can see where the admission fee goes. Brigit’s gardens are open all year round.

So I hope you have enough ideas to plan your break with us here in the Claregalway Hotel and we are delighted to help you enjoy the wonders of the West.

Le meas

Paul