20 Attractions to Explore Near Gurteen Bay

Errisbeg Mountain is a beautiful mountain in Connemara. From its 280 meters of altitude, it overlooks the village of Roundstone, and is a superb location for hikers and wilderness lovers. The area is stunning and ideal for discovering the very soul of Connemara. There are also so many things to see and do in this area and also its natural beauty attracts a lot of people to here.

Dogs Bay is a horseshoe shaped bay with more than a mile long stretch of white sandy beach. It backs on to Gurteen Bay, and together they form a tombolo which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. The wild headland which stretches out into the Atlantic between the two beaches is an area of great beauty and is a fantastic walk where you will be surrounded by water on three sides.

This beach is located in Roundstone, County Galway, in the Connemara region of the west of Ireland, lies back-to-back with Dog's Bay. The two beaches were formed by a sand spit and tombolo which now separates the two bays known as Gurteen Bay and Dog's Bay. The name Gurteen derives from the Irish Goirtín meaning small plot or small field.

The small island of Inishnee in Roundstone Bay is connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge and is a wonderfully unique destination. The island is equipped with a lighthouse. As of 2011, it had a population of 43.

Walk Connemara offers guided walks, trekking, hill walking, hikes and walking tours, along with related services, in Connemara and adjacent areas. The Connemara National Park is one of the most popular walks in Ireland. There is no doubt this is a great walk. It will be a great experience for you to know the nature of this area.

The Sky Road in Clifden is one of the most picturesque areas in the Connemara region. The circular route is 16km long and takes you out west from Clifden, onto the Kingstown peninsula, and back into Clifden via the N59. The peninsula is also a part of the Wild Atlantic Way driving route. The upper path gradually rises and at the highest point you reach a vantage car park. The view from up here over Clifden Bay and the offshore islands in the Atlantic Ocean is breathtaking.

Clifden Castle was built by John d'Arcy in a Gothic Revival style between 1812 and 1815. Overlooking the Clifden Bay, the castle features a round tower to the southeast, as well as two round turrets, a square tower and the entry tower. Entering through the large medieval gateway, you will see a number of standing stone erects. Uninhabited after 1894 it fell into disrepair. In 1935, ownership passed to a group of tenants, who were to own it jointly, and it quickly became a ruin.

Derryclare Lough is a lake in Connemara, Ireland. This lake is recognizable by its islet located in the middle, and covered with trees. The lake is a popular scenic location, and extensively photographed, and offers views directly into the Glencoaghan Valley of the Twelve Bens and the peaks of the Glencoaghan Horseshoe.

Bencorr at 711 metres, is the 82nd–highest peak in Ireland on the Arderin scale, and the 102nd–highest peak on the Vandeleur-Lynam scale. It is the second-tallest mountain of the Twelve Bens range, after Benbaun 729 metres; it lies close to Benbaun, separated only by the third-highest mountain in the range of Bencollaghduff 696 metres (2,283 ft), and the col of Maumina.

The Connemara Giant, known as Conn of the Sea, is said to be protector of Connemara. The statue was created by Joyce’s Craft Shop, located across the road, “for no apparent reason”. It is believed that if you touch the hand of the giant you will be blessed with the knowledge of his ancient tribe.

Derryclare, is the 119th–highest peak in Ireland on the Arderin scale, and the 145th–highest peak on the Vandeleur-Lynam scale. This is a popular viewpoint for visitors to the area and a great place for photo opportunities. The Derryclare Lough on its southern slopes is a scenic location in Connemara, while the Derryclare Wood, on its eastern slopes, contains a Statutory Nature Reserve.

A majestic national park covering some 3,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expansive bogs, glorious grasslands and enchanting woodlands. 500 metres high, Diamond Hill rises above the small village of Letterfrack. This is one of the finest hikes in the country. There are many remnants of human habitation within the park. There is a 19th-century graveyard as well as 4,000-year-old megalithic court tombs. Much of the land was once part of the Kylemore Abbey estate.

Diamond Hill is an isolated peak, situated beside the village of Letterfrack, in the northwest corner of the Twelve Bens in the Connemara National Park in Galway, Ireland. Despite its moderate size and isolated position, Diamond Hill is a popular peak with tourists due to its paths and boarded mountain trail, and relative ease of access, together with well-regarded views of the core Twelve Bens range, and western Connemara.

Lough Inagh is a glacial lake, located in the stunning Inagh Valley, Recess, Connemara. The Twelve Bens range lies to the west of the lake, with Derryclare 677 metres and Bencorr 711 metres directly overlooking the lake. The lake is popular with fishermen and boats are available locally. The lake gives views directly into the large deep southerly corrie between Derryclare and Bencorr, as well as the smaller corrie between Bencorr and Bencorr North Top.

This is an oasis of ordered splendour in the wild Connemara Countryside. It was one of the last walled gardens built during the Victorian period in Ireland it was so advanced for the time that it was compared in magnificence with Kew Gardens in London. It includes the formal flower garden, glasshouses the head gardener's house, garden bothy, vegetable garden, herbaceous border, fruit trees, a rockery and herb garden.

This is a part of the Wild Atlantic Way is a scenic route that will take you in a loop around beautiful North West Connemara. It was blessed with its ever changing landscape, presents visitors with the most spectacular mountain views, mist covered lakes, pre-historic bogs, shady glens and remote, unspoilt beaches facing out towards the wild Atlantic.

Omey Island is a tidal island near Claddaghduff on the western edge of the Connemara region in Galway. It is a magical place only 600 metres offshore, nestled beneath the projecting prow of the Aughrus peninsula and sheltered from the worst of the Atlantic swells by the islands of An Cruach. It is possible to drive or walk across a large sandy strand to the island by following the arrowed signs. At high tide, the water is deep enough to cover a car.

Pearse's Cottage in Rosmuc is the former holiday home of Patrick Pearse leader of the 1916 Rising. Pearse also used the house as a summer school for his pupils from St. Enda's where in taught in Dublin.The interior which was burned during the War of Independence has been reconstructed and an exhibition in the cottage is dedicated to the life and work of Pearse.

Letterbreckaun is a 667-metre mountain in County Galway, Ireland. It the second highest peak in the Maumturks range. It is situated is situated in the middle sector of the long north-west to south-east cental spine of the Maumturks mountain range in the Connemara National Park in Galway, Ireland. Letterbreckaun is the 2nd-tallest mountain in the range. A good trekking destination and it also offers beautiful views form here.

Tully Mountain is a large hill near the coast to the north-west of Letterfrack in County Galway, Ireland. It is 356 m high and been listed as a Special Area of Conservation. The 356-metre high hill is visually striking, as it stands in a prominent position on the Renvyle Peninsula between Ballinakill harbour. The main features are rocky outcrops and upland grassland, with alpine and subalpine heaths.