30 Outdoors- Other to Explore in Connacht

Checkout places to visit in Connacht

Connacht

Connacht is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms. Its eastern boundary is the middle course of the River Shannon. Connaught is the poorest part of the Irish republic and comprises the modern counties of Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Galway, and Roscommon.

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Outdoors- Other to Explore in Connacht

Arigna Mining Experience

The Arigna Mining Experience is a centre dedicated to the coal mining history of Arigna over a period of 400 years, local geology and coal, as well as new forms of renewable energy. It is Ireland's first museum dedicated to coal mining. Experience what it was like for yourself on a guided tour underground with a former coal miner who brings the history of the coal mine and previous iron mine to life.

Atlantic Drive

The Atlantic Drive is without doubt an awe inspiring and dramatic experience. Starting from Mulranny this drive takes you along a very rugged coast, dramatic rough seas and cliffs. Some of the local roads that follow the coastline of Achill, and which boast some of the most spectacular views of the area, have been designated ‘The Atlantic Drive’.

Ballygilgan (Lissadell)

Ballygilgan is a national nature reserve of approximately 73 acres the Maugherow Peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland. It is home to Ireland’s biggest mainland flock of barnacle geese. The Reserve is west of the village of Carney on the shore of Drumcliff Bay, Special Area of Conservation, between the road and Lissadell Strand.

Benwee Head

Benwee Head is located in a remote area in the northwest of county Mayo. Over 250 metres high cliffs rise above the Atlantic floods. This Dicovering Point offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the Wild Atlantic Way and commands spectacular views on majestic cliffs, rugged headlands, rocky coves and jagged stacks.

Céide Fields

The Céide Fields are the oldest known field systems in the world, over five and a half millennia old. It is a unique Neolithic landscape of world importance, which has changed our perception of our Stone Age ancestors. Other dating methods and research has suggested that the complex developed 3,000 years ago, and is otherwise a "textbook example" of a Celtic field system, several examples of which are associated with late Bronze Age and Iron Age Europe.

Connemara Loop

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.

Coole Park

The Coole Park is one of Ireland’s most spectacular nature reserve covering approximately 400 hectares of wetland and woodlands located in Gort. The park is in a low–lying karstic limestone area characterised by seasonal lakes, known as turloughs, which are almost unique to Ireland. The most unique features of Coole Park are the turloughs which are said to be the best examples of turloughs in the world.

Corraun Peninsula

The Corraun Peninsula is a peninsula in County Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland. It extends out from the mainland towards Achill Island. It is popular for its stunning panoramas of Clew Bay, Clare Island and Achill Island. It is a place of extreme beauty, dominated by Corraun Hill. There are great views of Clew Bay and the Mullet Peninsula to the north.

Creevykeel Court Tomb

This well preserved site is said to be one of the largest court cairns in Ireland. The monument is located in the N15 Donegal to Sligo road, 200 meters north of Creevykeel cross-roads close to Cliffoney village in County Sligo. The original name for the Creevykeel monument is Caiseal an Bhaoisgin, the Fort of Bhaoisgin, Tober an Bhaoisgin being the name of the well near the cairn. A second megalithic monument existed 300 meters to the north, but it was demolished around 1890.

Derryclare

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.

Downpatrick Head

DownPatrick Head is a headland between Ballycastle village and the archaeological site of Ceide Fields. It commands breathtaking views on the Atlantic, the Staggs of Broadhaven to the west and high stunning cliffs to the east. Reaching a height of nearly 50 meters, the rock is visible from afar and is one of the striking landmarks of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Dunmoran Strand

Dunmoran Strand is surrounded by dunes and lies in a quite, rural region. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the best swell direction is from the northwest. A hiking trail leads along the beach and all the way to Aughris Head, 2,5 kilometres away. This beach got Green Coast Award for 2018.

Glengowla Mines, Oughterard

Glengowla Mines is a "show mine" dedicated to the lead and silver mining history of Glengowla and the Oughterard area. The mines, abandoned in 1865 are a unique reminder of the 19th century methods of ore- silver and lead extraction and processing. The mine is noted for it’s rare and beautiful crystals of fluorite and quartz, Pitch pine timbers believed to be brought by emigrant coffin ships are still intact in the mine today.

Gleniff Horseshoe

The Gleniff horseshoe is a nice 10km loop along quiet roads with spectacular views and dramatic and wild Dartry Mountains. The walk also provides dramatic views of the Donegal Bay and the Ulster County beyond. The drive takes around 30 minutes and it’s a fine way to spend a rainy afternoon, while the walk stretches for around 2.5 hours and treats you to some glorious Sligo scenery.

Great Western Greenway

The Great Western Greenway walking and cycling trail is Irelands fastest growing and most sought-after tourism attraction. Running 44km around the Eastern and Northern stretches of Clew Bay in Co Mayo. The Great Western Greenway follows the line of the old Midlands Great Western Railway, which closed in 1937. It can be completed in either direction, although the best approach is from west to east, with the prevailing wind at your back.

Gurteen Bay

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.

Hazelwood Forest

Hazelwood is an ancient area of woodland located just over 2 miles outside the town of Sligo in northwest Ireland. It has a series of outdoor sculptures by Irish and International artists. It has a picnic area and spectular lakeside views. It’s a walkers paradise as there is several hikes of about 3 kilometres each along the edge of Lough Gill.

Ireland’s School of Falconry

Discover the ancient form of falconry at the oldest established Falconry School in Ireland - flying hawks is an experience of a lifetime.The school is home to the largest and most diverse collection of Harris's hawks. It gives you the chance to fly our wonderful Hawks around the grounds of Ashford Castle during a one-hour Private Hawk Walk.

Knockalongy

Knockalongy is a 544 m Marilyn in County Sligo, Ireland. It is the highest of the Ox Mountains. The nearest village is Skreen. There are many megalithic tombs on the plain between Knockalongy and Sligo Bay to the north. There are also two small loughs at the foot of the mountain—Lough Aghree and Lough Minnaun.

Labby Rock (Carrickglass), Sligo

The Labby Rock or Carrickglass dolmen is located in a shallow valley on the north end of the ridge of Moytura. It is an impressively massive portal dolmen: with a capstone weighing an estimated seventy tons, it is among the largest monuments of its kind in Ireland.

Map of Outdoors- Other to explore in Connacht