Ireland: West is Best!
Just a short plane or ferry ride away, Ireland is an ever popular place to visit. Fortunately, the west of the country is still relatively untouched, with acres of lush grass and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean just waiting for your arrival. The miles of countryside to play in means in there is also an abundance of activites for the kids to get stuck into too. What more could you ask for?
Western Ireland is made up of the three counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. Galway is one of those talked about places that everyone wants to visit if they have never been; or that every visitor wants to return to. Jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, County Mayo combines an unspoilt environment with cosmopolitan towns. Roscommon is often described as ‘the heart of undiscovered Ireland’ with its castles, stately homes and scenic landscape.
What to do
Not only does it offer astounding beauty in tranquil settings, Ireland's West also has plenty for children of all ages, which is usually your main concern when taking the little ones away on a trip. With activities such as pony trekking, sailing, swimming, canoeing, the children can be kept entertained, and more importantly kept quiet, for the duration of your holiday. Day visitor attractions such as pet farms and activity centres are abundant throughout the region, and museums and heritage centres have activities specially designed to appeal to children.
History and culture are also an important part of what Western Ireland has to offer, and the region has a great variety of visitor attractions to keep all ages entertained. The Aran Islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay are easily accessible by ferry or plane. The largest of the three islands, Inishmore, is a major tourist destination. Here you’ll find Dun Aengus, an Iron Age fort steeped in history, a fascinating place for both adults and children to visit, just watch the little ones near the cliff edge! A popular activity on the island is cycling, and with Inishmore measuring in at 12 miles, it’s not entirely out of the question to cycle around the whole of the island. Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages seem to be the main methods of getting about the here in the summer months.
Most cafes and restaurants in Western Ireland welcome children. There are a wealth of places dotted about the region where you can enjoy some good grub, including a stack of pubs that allow children on the premises until the evening hours, leaving you free to enjoy a pint of the black stuff!
Where to stay
Selfcatering, bed and breakfast, caravans and camping… take your pick. There’s almost no end of places to stay in on the west of Ireland.
Getting there
Seeing as ferries only dock into East and South Ireland, your best bet is to fly into the West rather than driving over from the other sides. Aer Arann fly from several airports across the UK to Galway. Prices vary depending on the time and date of travel and how far in advance you book.
Helpful hints
Visit the official website for Western Ireland at www.irelandwest.ie
Visit www.aerarann.com for flight information
