County Galway

Right in the middle of the Wild Atlantic Way, the city has a reputation for artistic creativity and an infectious up-tempo vibe that’s played out in a full calendar of festivals and events. From music and horseracing to literature and oysters – Galway knows how to celebrate.

Throughout the year there’s a party atmosphere that gives this place a special edge. It’s no wonder people pour into the hopping bars, traditional pubs and fantastic restaurants every weekend.

Galway city

The obvious first stop is the thriving city of Galway itself. Don’t make a plan when you go walkabout here (few Galwegians do). Instead, go where the mood takes you. That may be an independent bookshop such as Charlie Byrne's; it may be a pub, an aquarium, or a city museum whose upper floors reveal a breathtaking view of the River Corrib. There's a wealth of choice on tap!

Galway is a place to go with the flow. Fancy catching a Heineken Cup rugby match in the Sportsground? What about a stroll along the old Long Walk, as Steve Earle sang about in Galway Girl (“Her hair was black and her eyes were blue…”). Browse the market by St Nicholas’s Church; eat sushi; step through the Spanish Arch. It’ll be night-time before you know it.

Connemara

Travel beyond Galway city and you'll encounter Ireland at its wildest. For every star God put in the sky, it is said, he laid a million stones in Connemara. And those stones – be they meshed into the ground and trodden upon by black-faced sheep, or punching upwards into the magnificent Twelve Bens mountain range – come together in a wonderful mosaic.

Connemara is as much a coastal phenomenon as a National Park even though it possesses one of those too. Take a drive, and within a few hours you’ll be winding your way from Maam Cross to the harbour town of Clifden; or from the Gaeltacht village of Spiddal and the coral beach at Carraroe to a creamy bowl of chowder in Roundstone – an old harbour village on the windswept Ballyconneely Peninsula. You'll recognise a few places from your favourite films, too.

To the west of Galway city you’ll find the wild and wonderful landscapes the county is famous for, but head south and east, and the scenery becomes softer and more tranquil. This is Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands territory, where slow travel is a must and under-the-radar experiences can be found around every river bend.

You can enjoy some quiet contemplation with a morning sunrise kayak tour or a wild swim at dusk with Lough Derg Watersports. Or how about immersing yourself in nature with a walk in Portumna Forest Park? While you’re here, don’t forget to stop by 17th century Portumna Castle, which combines medieval and Renaissance styles. The formal gardens here create an amazing sense of the original 17th century setting.

For the perfect slow-travel adventure, head to Slieve Aughty Centre. Esther and Hugo Zyderlaan moved here from The Netherlands in order to live sustainably on the land. Today, they run a thriving resort which offers horse riding, eco-trails, and bikes for hire. Plus, if you can’t get enough of the area, you can stay in one of the eco-friendly bedrooms, lodges or cabins, and enjoy a dinner from the organic vegetable garden.

Don't forget the Aran Islands

Nor does Galway stop at its westernmost shoreline. A short ferry or plane crossing from the mainland whisks you to the mythical Aran Islands: limestone outcrops dominated by sheer cliffs, stone walls, deserted beaches and iconic heritage sites like Dún Aonghasa. The 2,000-year-old fortress, scythed in half by encroaching erosion, has “wow” written all over it.

One day, they’ll bottle all of this. Until then, get your boots on.