20 Attractions to Explore Near Ardoileán

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.

Inishark sometimes called Shark Island, is a small island neighbouring the larger Inishbofin in County Galway, Ireland. Inishark is situated northeast of Shark Head, north of Black Rock. The island was occupied for thousands of years and has many Bronze Age sites such as burial grounds and monuments. The island is now uninhabited; the last 23 inhabitants of this former isolated fishing and farming community were evacuated on the 20th of October 1960.

Inishbofin is a small island off the coast of Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The island is 5.7km by 4km. The main activities on the island today are tourism, farming and fishing. The island is a breeding area for many species of birds. Inishbofin is home to “Dún Gráinne”, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley.

Inishbofin is a small island off the coast of Connemara, which was home to “Dún Gráinne”, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley. It's some 5.5 km long by 3 km wide and has a population of 175. It's low-lying and treeless, with heathland sprayed by the sea. It is a great tourist destination and it attracts a lot of tourists to enjoy the beauty of this area.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A beautiful sandy beach which was located in the stunning Connemara district of Galway. It is widely known for the caravan and camping park that sits right on the edge of the beach. The beach was also one of the recipients of the Green Coast Award Beaches 2013, which is an award for beaches that have excellent water quality but are also prized for their natural, unspoilt environment.

Inishturk is an inhabited island of County Mayo, in Ireland. Inishturk has been inhabited on and off since 4,000 BCE and has been inhabited permanently since at least 1700. Inishturk meaning ‘Island of the Wild Boar’, is a wild, windswept patch of lush greenness with sheer wall-like cliffs and steep hills.

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.

Caher Island, an uninhabited island off the coast of County Mayo in Ireland, is situated between the larger Clare Island and Inishturk. An ancient centre for pilgrimage, it is still visited for this reason today. On 15 August each year, the Feast of the Assumption, there is a pilgrimage to the island.The island has an Early Christian monastery with the remains of a chapel in an enclosure and several carved slabs. The island appears to hold the remains of hermitages of seventh century monks.

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.

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.

This is a white sandy beach with a stunning mountain backdrop. You can enjoy breathtaking scenery and crystal clear waters. Perfect for those looking for a scenic stroll, great snorkelling or a swim with a view. The beach is popular for swimming, snorkelling, walking and sightseeing.

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.

Uggool Beach is a large beach in County Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland, located south of the town of Louisburgh. It is situated at the mouth of Killlary Harbour to its south, with Silver Strand to its north, Mweelrea mountain to its east and the Atlantic ocean to its west.It is bordered by the townlands of Uggool, Doovilra and Mweelin. The Bunanakee River flows across Uggool Beach. The tidal Dooneen Island is on the southern edge of the beach.

Gurteen Bay is a pretty natural cove located near Roundstone. Magnificent, one appreciates its fine sandy beach, as well as its proximity to a second bay: Dogs Bay. To do to enjoy the sea. The water here is crystal clear and it's used for swimming and other water based activities including windsurfing and kitesurfing. Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay make up one of the finest stretches of coastline in Connemara with uncompromising views of Errisbeg and the surrounding countryside.