Ireland West
Ireland West is the place to see Quintessential Ireland — dramatic cliffs, coastal hikes, golden crescent beaches, airplane-like views, elegant palaces and even a fjord. This route is covered in 7 posts and needs at least 7 days.
We spent 8 days as we allowed an extra day in case of rain. You may want a couple of days before and after this itinerary for Dabbling with Dublin and/or Staying Trim.
Ireland West Itinerary
Ireland West Map
The 1Σ to 5Σ Sigma score is our Ireland Itinerary Ratings to indicate how we would rank each place. Please add comments or questions about any place and press the Like button at the bottom of the post!
1. Cliffs of Moher Up Close 5Σ offers dramatic cliffs, great hike, and lots of tourists — go early or go late in the day. From: Ennis, Lahinch, Doolin, Ballyvaughan, or Galway
2. More than the Cliffs of Moher 3.5Σ offers karst limestone landscapes, unusual formations, flowers, unmarked off-road walks, and Neolithic dolmen (altars). The Burren area is so unusual it probably will be underappreciated by many tourists. Those who love nature will probably rate this higher. You are walking on millions of years of compressed seashells, also known as limestone. From: Ennis, Lahinch, Doolin, Ballyvaughan, or Galway
3. Galway to Gurteen Bay 5Σ offers pine lake reflections, spectacular Gurteen Bay and Dog’s Bay crescent-shaped beaches, an easy hike between these two beaches, White Strand beach, and Sky Road Loop. From: Galway, Roundstone, or Clifden
4. Kylemore to Connemara 5Σ offers wide open views, rugged mountains, Victorian mansion, gardens, fjords, red rhododendrons, and dramatic mountain passes. From: Galway, Clifden, Cong, or Leenaun
5. Genial Galway 2Σ spends a day in the city of Galway with wood and marble cathedral, speciality shops, pedestrian and riverside walks. From: Galway
6. Celestial Cong 2Σ takes a peak at an abbey ruin in a river park, and an luxurious castle hotel for guests only. From: Galway, Cong , or Leenaun
7. Amazing Achill Island 4.5Σ offers broken towers, pirate queens, coastal roads and gorgeous beaches.
From: Westport
