Galway
An adventure into the heart of Connemara
1Day
An adventure into the heart of Connemara
1Day
Aughnanure Castle is a historic gem in the heart of Connemara. The fearsome O’Flaherty family, whose motto was ‘Fortune favours the strong’, ruled west Connacht for 300 years from this fine six-storey tower on the shores of Lough Corrib.
In 1546 the O’Flaherty’s joined forces with the Mayo O’Malley’s when Donal an Chogaidh O’Flaherty married Grace O’Malley, later known as Granuaile, the formidable pirate queen. The O’Malley motto, ‘Powerful by land and by sea,’ showed the awe in which that family, too, was held.
Continue west to Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara — Pearse’s Cottage and Visitor Centre.
Here in Ros Muc, in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht, Patrick Pearse, leader of the 1916 rebellion against British rule, built a summer cottage for himself.
In the state-of-the-art visitor centre you can explore the things that drew Pearse to Connemara – the area’s unique landscape and the ancient Gaelic culture and language which is still alive today. You will get a warm welcome from our local guides, who are steeped in the local culture and take great pride in it. A short stroll across the bog will take you to the cottage itself. You will find it just as it was when Pearse left for the last time in 1915.
This one is for the daring only – perilously perched on a sheer sea-cliff, Dún Aonghasa defiantly faces the Atlantic Ocean. You may recognise it from a 2022 film. Brendan Gleeson, star of the Banshees of Inisherin said:
“This is an extraordinarily harsh place with all this bare limestone rock but there’s a softness about it and it’s the most extraordinary thing,”
Dún Aonghasa is over 3,000 years old. Excavations have revealed significant evidence of prehistoric metalworking, as well as several houses and burials. The whole complex was refortified in AD 700–800. The visit involves a short hike over rising ground and rough, natural rock, so come prepared with boots or strong walking shoes. Be careful, too, when walking near the cliff – there is no fence or barrier at the edge of the 87-metre drop.
Unlimited access to Ireland’s past
