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Connemara
Con-mhaicne Mara “the descendants of the sea”.
Connemara is named after Con-mhaicne Mara - “the rich coastline invites adventure – the many inlets,
descendants of the sea”. peninsulas bays and beaches are yours to explore.
Irish Folklore is alive in the landscape of Connemara. Alongside the rich sea life of Connemara the
Here, playwright and foundress of Dublin ‘s Abbey bewildering array of onshore and offshore geographical
Theatre, Lady Gregory, found her inspiration and phenomena make exploring the Connemara region a life
the storytellers whose words she has immortalised. time challenge.
The waves are known as Manannán’s horses, capaill From cosy pubs to relaxing restaurants where local
Mhanannán. seafood is served in ultimate freshness – Connemara
On a 16th century map of Ireland we see the area of invites one to relish a special calm and tranquility. To the
Connemara is curiously speckled. The Connemara coast east rise the Maumturk Mountains and beyond them lies
is dotted with Islands, inlets and bays more conducive Joyce Country, divided by the two lakes , Lough Corrib
to movement by sea rather than land. It is easy to see and Lough Mask, both excellent fishing destinations. By
where the region found it’s moniker. Today’s Connemara the shores, you can tread in the footsteps of generations
is accessed by road but this was not so a hundred years of Connemara fishermen – expert boat builders and
ago. With a mind emboldened by the wild sea air, seamen in their own right.
Pádraig Pearse made Connemara his spiritual home and Take a walk out to Slyne Head (Ceann Léime) from
courted visions of Ireland's freedom. Connemara is a far Ballyconneely (Baile Conaola) or take a boat out to
cry from Irelands' citadels of power. One hundred years explore the Islands. There is a regular tour from Cleggan
ago it would have taken up to six days to make the long to the Island of Inishbofin with it’s monastic remains.
trip from Dublin to Connemara. A Heritage Centre The Twelve Pins Mountains rise to the east , Hillwalkers
where Pádraig Pearse once visited is open to the public. are advised to purchase a local OS(Ordance Survey)
Just under one hundred years ago it would have taken up Map to assist in navigating the wilds of the mountain
to six days to arrive here from Dublin. treks. Passing through Letterfrack and Kylemore where
Mannin is the widest of Connemara’s west facing bays. you might visit the Abbey- an architectural gem in a
Here, about three miles of water separate its northern Neo Gothic style. Through Leenaun, village with it’s
shore of Errislannan (Iorras Leannán) from Errismore charming homesteads you will finally arrive at Killary
(Iorras Mór), a peninsula at it’s southerly end. A number Harbour where the wilds of Connemara opens to lush
of beaches line the head of the bay and the silvery Coral Mayo countryside.
Strand is one worth seeking out. It is not strictly coral In 1948, Philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein arrived
that crunches underfoot, but fragments off a coraline at Rosroe in Connemara to stay at a friends holiday
alga, a seaweed that draws on the calcium carbonate cottage. At Rosroe the tiny fishing hamlet that divides
dissolved in seawater. An Trá Choireálach near An the mouth of Killary Harbour from the bay of Little
Cheathrú Rua is anothe fine coral beach of Connemara. Killary, the young philosopher found his muse. To
The coraline seaweeds are collectively known as maerl the south in Maam Valley the mother of Fionn Mac
and offer an abundance of hide outs for the iconic array Cumhall of Ireland’s misty past is said to have her final
of sea species recorded here. Of course, Connemara’s resting place.
Derryclare Lough
144
Con-mhaicne Mara “the descendants of the sea”.
Connemara is named after Con-mhaicne Mara - “the rich coastline invites adventure – the many inlets,
descendants of the sea”. peninsulas bays and beaches are yours to explore.
Irish Folklore is alive in the landscape of Connemara. Alongside the rich sea life of Connemara the
Here, playwright and foundress of Dublin ‘s Abbey bewildering array of onshore and offshore geographical
Theatre, Lady Gregory, found her inspiration and phenomena make exploring the Connemara region a life
the storytellers whose words she has immortalised. time challenge.
The waves are known as Manannán’s horses, capaill From cosy pubs to relaxing restaurants where local
Mhanannán. seafood is served in ultimate freshness – Connemara
On a 16th century map of Ireland we see the area of invites one to relish a special calm and tranquility. To the
Connemara is curiously speckled. The Connemara coast east rise the Maumturk Mountains and beyond them lies
is dotted with Islands, inlets and bays more conducive Joyce Country, divided by the two lakes , Lough Corrib
to movement by sea rather than land. It is easy to see and Lough Mask, both excellent fishing destinations. By
where the region found it’s moniker. Today’s Connemara the shores, you can tread in the footsteps of generations
is accessed by road but this was not so a hundred years of Connemara fishermen – expert boat builders and
ago. With a mind emboldened by the wild sea air, seamen in their own right.
Pádraig Pearse made Connemara his spiritual home and Take a walk out to Slyne Head (Ceann Léime) from
courted visions of Ireland's freedom. Connemara is a far Ballyconneely (Baile Conaola) or take a boat out to
cry from Irelands' citadels of power. One hundred years explore the Islands. There is a regular tour from Cleggan
ago it would have taken up to six days to make the long to the Island of Inishbofin with it’s monastic remains.
trip from Dublin to Connemara. A Heritage Centre The Twelve Pins Mountains rise to the east , Hillwalkers
where Pádraig Pearse once visited is open to the public. are advised to purchase a local OS(Ordance Survey)
Just under one hundred years ago it would have taken up Map to assist in navigating the wilds of the mountain
to six days to arrive here from Dublin. treks. Passing through Letterfrack and Kylemore where
Mannin is the widest of Connemara’s west facing bays. you might visit the Abbey- an architectural gem in a
Here, about three miles of water separate its northern Neo Gothic style. Through Leenaun, village with it’s
shore of Errislannan (Iorras Leannán) from Errismore charming homesteads you will finally arrive at Killary
(Iorras Mór), a peninsula at it’s southerly end. A number Harbour where the wilds of Connemara opens to lush
of beaches line the head of the bay and the silvery Coral Mayo countryside.
Strand is one worth seeking out. It is not strictly coral In 1948, Philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein arrived
that crunches underfoot, but fragments off a coraline at Rosroe in Connemara to stay at a friends holiday
alga, a seaweed that draws on the calcium carbonate cottage. At Rosroe the tiny fishing hamlet that divides
dissolved in seawater. An Trá Choireálach near An the mouth of Killary Harbour from the bay of Little
Cheathrú Rua is anothe fine coral beach of Connemara. Killary, the young philosopher found his muse. To
The coraline seaweeds are collectively known as maerl the south in Maam Valley the mother of Fionn Mac
and offer an abundance of hide outs for the iconic array Cumhall of Ireland’s misty past is said to have her final
of sea species recorded here. Of course, Connemara’s resting place.
Derryclare Lough
144
