CAR HIRE IRELAND - West Coast of Ireland 3 Day Tour
» Day 1: Shannon to Galway 164 kms, 102 mls
Fly into Shannon and take a fly-drive tour of the area, then head up
and explore more of the West. From Shannon, take the R472 and follow
the signs for Galway and Limerick. Limerick is a largely Georgian city
superimposed on an older town on the banks of the River Shannon. Find
time for a short tour of the Castle, the Museum and Art Gallery, before
taking the N18 north west into County Clare past Bunratty Castle to
Newmarket-on-Fergus. Here a halt at Dromoland Castle, with its golf
course, health club and excellent accommodation and food, makes the
perfect overnight stop if you're in the mood to spoil yourelf. Continue
along the N18 and at Ennis head west along the back road to Ennistymon
and the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which drop 200m/600ft to the Atlantic.
From here you're only a short drive away from the Burren, a vast expanse
of naked grey landscape which harbours superb wild flowers and hundres
of ancient monuments. Rejoin the N18 at Kilcolgan and you're left with
an easy run into Galway city, the most thriving and lively community
on the west coast and a good jumping off point for exploring the scenic
splendour of County Mayo.
» Day 2: Galway to Westport 196 kms, 122 mls
Start your tour from the city of Galway. Your tour of Connemara brings
you by Spiddal, Costelloe, Screeb, Gortmore, Carna, Toombeola, Ballynahinch
and Glendollagh. Alternatively, travel north-west of Galway to the pretty
village of Oughterard, with views of Lough Corrib along the way, continuing
through the rugged countryside of Connemara to Clifden. From Clifden,
continue northwards to Tullycross and on to Leenane, at the head of
Killary Harbour. Drive northwards through the mountains to Louisburgh,
in the shadow of Croagh Patrick. Alternatively you can get from Leenun
to Westport through Joyce country, taking you to Maam, Cong, Ballinrobe,
Partry, and Ballintubber. However you choose to get there, try to spend
some time in Westport.
» Day 3: Westport to Galway 280 kms, 175 mls
The following day explore Achill Island, taking the road to Newport,
Mulrany, through Curraun Peninsula, Achill Sound and on to Keel and
Dooagh. Return to Mulrany and take the road north-wards to Bangor Erris,
then to Crossmolina before turning south for Pontoon, with views of
Lough Conn. Return to Galway by Castlebar, Claremorris and Tuam.
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