Pony Trekking

The most beautiful native animal of our region is the Connemara Pony, which stands areound 14 hands high. An animal of great courage, endurance, stamina and a placid nature. Particularly suited as a children's pony, there is a great demand for the breed abroad, but it is the local farmers who take the most pride in them. The Connemara Pony Show takes place in Clifden on the 3rd Thursday in August and is the most important festival in town. One of the nicest ways to see the countryside is on the back of one of these famous ponies.

  • Errislannan
  • Cleggan
  • Aillebrack
  • Cashel

 

Day trips to the Islands

Sea Sports

Sheltered harbours offer safe anchorage for yachts and the fresh Atlantic breezes offer a good challenge for windsurfers and for dingy sailing. Divers can enjoy crystal clear waters with wonderful underwater scenery, often accompanied by seals. A series of regattas are held throughout the summer in the different fishing villages. These colourful events when local as well as visitors test their maritime skills against each other make for a very enjoyable day out.

  • Clifden Sea Sports Centre
  • Scubadive West
  • Oceans Alive

Beaches

Explore some of Connemara's unspoilt beaches. Clear unpolluted waters of the Atlantic wash the beautiful, clean, sheltered sandy beaches of Connemara. Enjoy walking, swimming or lazing about the beach. There are lots of good rock pools where one can discover a wealth of marine life or pick some beautiful shells. Walking on a beach in Connemara as the sun dips into the Western sea is the most magical experience in the world.

  • Clifden
  • Mannin
  • Coral Strand
  • Omey
  • Errismore
  • Gurteen
  • Dogs Bay
  • Bunown

Boglands

Connemara contains some of the last surviving bogs in Europe. Tracts of blanket bog are found throughout the region. The acid nature of the bog means that only a few special plants can live there. It is because of this that we see nodding heads of bog cotton in the late spring, and the mountains covered in purple heather at harvest time. The bogs also supply the people with fuel. The harvesting of the turf takes place in the late spring, and continues through the summer when it is brought home to create cosy fires in the wintertime.

Painting and Photography

The ever changing light and landscape of Connemara offers a challenge to both the painter and the photographer. The variety of colours and shades change not only with the seasons but also as the clouds and sun play games across the mountains and lakes. The farmer and fisherman work long and carefully to reap a reward from this land and sea and the artist must feel the need to do the same with his brush and easel when he arrives.

 

Heritage

From 5000BC man has inhabited the Connemara coastline. Standing Stones and megalithic tombs dot the Connemara landscape. Stone alignments which were used as calendars date to the Bronze Age.

After the Bronze Age defensive dwellings like Crannogs were built and many of these were situated inland. Later, ringforts were built and those built of stone were called Cashels. Later the Celts arrived and many saints set up their monasteries along the Connemara shore or on lonely islands off the coast.

Walking

For those who enjoy a gentle pace or a spirited hike across rugged mountain trails, Connemara offers all. There are hidden byways, shore lines and beaches, forest walks and open bogland, all offer solitude, beauty and nature.

Cycling

One of the best way's to take advantage of this untamed landscape is by bicycle. You can enjoy the fresh Atlantic air amid the small stone walled fields, towering mountains and tranquil lakes, rest on a sandy beach or visit a country Pub.

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