Mike’s Connemara Blog
After growing up here, I think that Connemara is one of the best places in the world. Here is my insider reccommendations for what to do in Connemara – All of these are within easy distance of The Connemara National Park.
Dingle Peninsula – Similar but different
Dingle peninsula is a place similar to Connemara in its geography. It is located about four hours drive from Letterfrack Lodge. Dingle peninsula is on the ring of Kerry which is probably the most widely known tourist activity globally besides a visit to the Guinness...
3 Connemara drives that our guests really love – Part 1
On a sunny day in Connemara it's a delight to cruise around Connemara stoping off at various cool spots savouring the best we have to offer. It also works really well on a bad day . For the last 5 weeks we have had fairly mixed weather so I've been recommending...
My thoughts on Clifden
Clifden (Located fifteen minutes drive from Letterfrack) Clifden is the capital of Connemara and famous for many reasons. The first radio signals to cross the Atlantic by Marcony, the first transatlantic flight by Alcock and Brown. Very popular tourist destinations...
Dublin – It’s closer than you think!!
Dublin is the Capital of Ireland and where you will find the most modern sence of the Irish Culture. Hugely cosmopolitan. This city has 1 million people and has to be one of the liveliest cities in Europe. As a result of Ryan Air using Dublin as a hub it allows people...
19 – Killary Fjord – The Wild Atlantic Way
If you are interested in visiting Ireland’s only Fjord, you will find the perfect base in Letterfrack. Number 6 on the list is the Dramatic Killary Fjord which is just 10 minutes drive away from the Connemara National Park. Killary Harbour...
A Day in the Connemara National Park
The Connemara National Park is one of the most exhilarating activities to do in Connemara. It will most certainly be one of the highlights of any trip to Ireland. Located just ten minutes walk from the Lodge the park will present an eclectic array of views and...
5 – Letterfrack Village & Traditional Irish Music
Letterfrack Village is a vibrant little village on the west coast of Ireland and is a fabulous location for visitors to stay and experience the best that Connemara and Ireland has to offer The village is made up of 3 traditional music bars, 3 restaurants , GMIT...
8 – INIS BOFFIN ISLAND
Inish Bofin Island . Take a step back in time. Located 12 miles off the west coast with ferries running morning and evening this is one of the best ways to spend the day exploring this romantic and rugged island on foot or cycle. This will prove to be an...
10 – The best closeby beaches
The beaches in Connemara have splendid scenery which begines with the turquise waters and white sandy beaches. There a handful of beaches many of which are off the beaten track. With 8 beaches within 15 minutes of the Lodge you are spoilt for choice. You...
21 – WILD ATLANTIC WAY
The Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail that leads you through some of the best coastal scenary in the world. It covers the entire west coast of Ireland. The 2,500 km (1553 miles) driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces, stretching...
3 – WALK TULLY MOUNTAIN or the Dawros River
Tully Mountain is one of those Connemara Gems that is not as popular as it should be. It stands opposite the Connemara National park and provides a different and unique perspective of the beaches and the whole Connemara area. On a clear day...
1 – WALK THE CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK
Number 1 on "Mikes top 10" is walking the Connemara national park. It's a 5 minute walk to the visitor centrewhich has lots of info a cafe and a children's playground to but no trip to Connemara is complete until you experience the views from the...
Isn’t the Connemara Sunset spectacular ?
17 Photos that Prove Diamond Hill is a MUST DO hike!
The incredible views from the top of Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park make it a must-do hike if you are in Connemara. Here are the photos to prove it! Its a 2 hour 30 minutes hike roundtrip, little pain for so much gain. Make your way up there! If you are...
Abbie’s Cycle Around Connemara
Cycling in Connemara is officially my favorite activity to do around here thus far! I have had the absolute most incredible...
Walking the Killary Fjord
I’ve had the most spectacular day walking along the Killary Fjord! This is definitely one of my top recommendations to people passing through Connemara!...
The gothic church
One of the 3 main attractions at kylemore abbey is the gothic church .(which is actually a mini cathedral based on Norwich and Bristol cathedrals) It was built in 1784 as a memorial to Mrs Margaret Henry who died after a short illness she contracted while traveling...
Mike’s top 10 Connemara Events and Festivals
1. The Connemara Mussel Festival. May 1-4 Tully cross, Renvyle I have a small mussel farm on Killary Fjord so this festival has to get my number 1. Tasty fresh mussels , music dancing, cookery , foraging and a very warm small village welcome are some of the things on...
The Walk to Molly’s
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WALK 8 – Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Garden Walk. Grade: 2-10
Kylemore abbey and victorian garden take the wesport road from letterfrack. You can either or park there. stroll in the lunch surroundings of this very popular neo gothic castle and church.
Walking in connemara
I can honestly say that letterfrack is the best base for anyone interested in walking / hiking in connemara. There's good well priced accommodation available at the connemara national park hostel - letterfrack lodge,which has hostel and hotel styled rooms. The...
WALK 7 – The Killary Fjord walk. Grade: 2-10
The Killary Fjord walk Three varieties of walk. 1. The Devils Cut. 2. The Fjord and lake circuit. 3. Letter Difficulty: 2 -10 Distance: kms Height: flat Time: 2 hours and 15 mins A flat walk on road and track that takes you through some of the most scenery to be seen...
WALK 6 – The Lettergesh Circuit. Grade: 2 -10
The Lettergesh Circuit. “One of 50 places in the world to see before you die.”. - B.B.C Travel 2008 The only place mentioned in Ireland. Difficulty: 2 -10 Distance: kms Height: flat Time: 2 hours and 15 mins How to get there. From Letterfrack take the Tully Cross Road...
WALK 5 – The Dawros River Walk grade: 3-10
The Dawros River Walk Difficulty: 3-10 Distance: 7kms Height: flat Time: 2 hours and 15 mins From Letterfrack you can walk along the N59 towards Westport for almost 2kms until lyou see the river on the left hand side beneath you. Be careful its a steep enbankment down...
WALK 4 – Mweel Reas Mountain. Grade: 9-10
Mweel Reas Mountain. The tallest mountian West of the Shannon river. Difficulty: 9-10 Distance: 8kms Height: 800+ metres Time: 5 hours How to get there. From Letterfrack take the Westport Road 2.5km past leenane to the turnoff Louisberg turn left. Continue straight...
WALK 3 – Ben Baun , The Big Daddy of the 12 pins. Grade: 8-10
Ben Baun , The Big Daddy of the 12 pins. Difficulty: 8-10 Distance: 9kms Height: 725 metres Time 4.5 hours up and down. How to get there. From Letterfrack take the Westport road 9kms. Turn right just after Kylemore Pass hotel. Go 4 kms down the road and park your car...
WALK 2 – Benchoona garraun & Binn Fraoigh Grade: 7-10
Benchoona garraun & Binn Fraoigh Difficulty: 7-10 distance for the circuit 9km time: 4.5 hrs How to get there: From Letterfrack take the Tully Cross Road to Tully Cross. Turn right down the hill for 3 miles. Along the coastal road towards lettergesh. When you get...
WALK 1 – Tully mountain Grade: 5-10
Tully mountain first peak. zero pain for lots of gain distance is 4km up and down time: 1 hour 45 mins Height: 357 meters or option 2 is the full duck (full curcuit of tully mountain) distance is 10 km up and around and down Time: 4 hours max Wow factor 8/10 From...
The garran complex, my featured walk 2015
Each year I like to focus on a walk in the area and give very detailed info on the walk. This year it's my personal favourite , the garran complex . A cluster of 3 peaks over looking the Atlantic Ocean that just happens to be at the back of my house in Lettergesh and...
Fancy a bit of a run
http://youtu.be/LLUVVBUMALU
Go Connemara – The Connemara National Park
The Connemara Loop is an area of Connemara that is linked into a route that leads you to The Connemara National Park. Letterfrack Lodge is situated at the foot of the Connemara National Park. It's roads place Connemara in the Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way...
Biking the old road
A forty minuet drive from the connemara national park in the direction of cong is the old road or as it's known locally the "sean bother" . It's the old road from clombur to cong and it's great for biking . Good surface very few cars and stunning views over lough...
The Kilarney National Park – A highlight
Killarney has a National Park which rivals the Connemara National Park. A bit more built up with man made gardens and fields and lined with a magnificent castle this place is rich in beauty. A walk around is definitely a highlight of any visit to Ireland. The...
The fringe – 10 more things to see, do, and eat.
All within 20 minutes of the letterfrack lodge 11. Lough Inagh , Maumeen and the Derryclare nature reserve. 12. Fishing. 13. Rent a bike and tour the connemara loop. 14. Doughruagh Mountain and the Black Lake. 15. Dawros peninsula sunset walk. 16. Scuba dive west. 17....
Innis Bó Finne – Island of the white cow. A cycling trip in winter.
Inishbofin is the closest Island to Connemara and with its 15km² and ~160 habitants a beautiful little place to visit for the day. The ferry in the morning leaves at 11:30...
The top ten 2015
It was around this time 11 years ago we were backpacking our way from the Yucatan peninsula Mexico to the Panama Canal . A fantastic road trip that took us thru Mexico, Belize Guatemala , El Salvador , Honduras , Nicaragua , Costa Rica and finally Panama for Christmas...
The Giants Causeway – Near and Far from Letterfrack
Giants Causeway is deeply rooted in Irish Mythology and where the Giant last stepped before making it Glasgow in Scotland. All the rocks are flat in this enclosed area and tourists flock here every year to view this spectacular site. Located just 4 hours drive from...
Hiking around Killary Fjord – Luka’s take
If you are interested in visiting Ireland’s only Fjord, you will find the perfect base in Letterfrack. Killary Harbour stretches out 16km from the...
The Big December at the lodge.
As November draws to end we are looking forward to December and the festive season which I think is a great distraction for all in the middle of winter. We are planning a few more theme nights this December . On the thirteenth it's Indian ( fully booked) on the...
2 – Kylemore Abbey – Connemara
A really famous tourist attraction and you will probably find yourself within tons of other tourists but still worth a visit. The old Abbey is the home of the Irish Benedictine Nuns and provides you with a choice of attractions. The Abbey itself was a...
Visiting Connemara in Winter
Hello from beyond the hills and mountains of Connemara. And the temperatures drop and the winter sets in in earnest the Letterfrack Lodge stays warm, cosy and inviting to the discerning traveler who ventures west. Good fortune favors the brave and the good fortune...
Top Attractions in Ireland
Other spots in Ireland that are advisable to visit if you are visiting Ireland (A budding travel guide, Mike only features reccomended places to visit) Dingle and the Ring of Kerry The Ring of Kerry takes you through some of Irelands most spectacular scenery. Dingle...
A Walk in The Connemara National Park
The Connemara National Park is one of the most exhilarating activities to do in Connemara. It will most certainly be one of the highlights of any trip to Ireland. Located just ten minutes walk from the Lodge the park will present an eclectic array of views and...
A Connemara Seashore Walk
This walk on a narrow old road takes about 2 hours and is a nice undertaking for an afternoon or evening walk. Next to the great variety of beaches most of the seaside shore is covered with stones...
My Walk up Tully Mountain
Tully Mountain definitely provides the best view over the seashore and the whole Connemara area. If you are lucky you can look as far as to the Croagh Patrick near Westport and southwards as far as to the whole Galway Bay. You also have splendid views over the Twelve...
Clifden Castle Tour – The Wild Atlantic Way
In Clifden (a little market town) you can do excellent postcard and book shopping. Check out one of the good restaurants (Atlantic Hotel, Mitchels) or have a coffee in the morning...
A daytrip to Roundstone
One of my secret and top favourite things to do in the area is a daytrip to Roundstone. Go from Clifden to Roundstone and plan to stop at the best and most wellknown (some of them...
Driving The Sky Road – Connemara
My favourite road in Connemara is the Skyroad (unfortunately well-known by all the tourists in the area, but nevertheless worth a drive). Your tour starts with a view at the old Clifden Castle. Making your way...
A daytrip to Inishboffin Island – Connemara & The Wild Atlantic Way
You will always remember a daytrip to Inishbofin Island which is on the Wild Atlantic Way. First of all, the Ferry is so much fun, make sure that you do not get seasick and do not stand in the front part of...
