Introducing Connemara
In Irish, Connemara (Conamara) means ‘Inlets of the Sea’, which is borne out by the region’s filigreed coastline.
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The coastal road west of Spiddal (R336) winds around small bays and coves reminiscent of eastern Canada’s remote reaches of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (minus the moose). It strings together a succession of seaside hamlets, including the jewel-like fishing harbour at Roundstone, and sleepy Lennane on Killary Harbour, the country’s only fjord. Clifden, Connemara’s largest town, is spectacularly sited on a hill, while offshore lies the idyllic island of Inishbofin.
Connemara’s interior is a kaleidoscope of rusty bogs, lonely valleys and shimmering black lakes. At its heart are the Maumturk Mountains and the pewter-tinged quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens mountain range, with a network of scenic hiking and biking trails. It’s dazzling at any time of day but especially as the sun starts its descent, when the landscape glows as if filtered through a topaz-coloured lens.
One of the most important Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas in the country begins around Spiddal and stretches along the coast as far as Cashel. Ireland’s national Irish-language radio station, Radio na Gaeltachta (www.rte.ie/rnag) and Irish-language TV station, TG4 (www.tg4.ie), are both based in the region, as is the Irish-language weekly newspaper Foinse (www.foinse.ie in Irish).
If you intend any detailed exploration of the area, the excellent Connemara: Introduction and Gazeteer, by Tim Robinson, is a must. Connemara: A Hill Walker’s Guide, by Robinson and Joss Lynam, is also invaluable.
Galway’s tourist office has a wealth of information on the area. Online, Connemara Tourism (www.connemara-tourism.org) and Go Connemara (www.goconnemara.com) have region-wide info and links.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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