Page 178 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

176 BACK ROADS IRELAND

5 Connemara National Park Built in the 19th century, since 1922
Co Galway the abbey has been home to a semi-
This protected parkland spreads over enclosed order of Benedictine nuns
3,000 ha (6,000 acres) of mountains, who, until recently, ran a boarding
bogs, heaths and grasslands. The school for girls. Part of the abbey is
19th-century Quaker-founded open to visitors, who can view the
village of Letterfrack offers the best dining rooms, library and main hall.
access to the park, and is a good The visitor centre recounts the
opportunity for visitors to leave the history of the building and the order,
car for a while and experience at and the craft shop sells delicious jams
first hand the unique terrain of made by the nuns, as well as local
Connemara. The excellent Visitor pottery. But perhaps the biggest
Centre (open Mar–Oct) provides attraction here is the walled garden
general information on fauna and (open mid-Mar–Oct), originally laid out
wildlife in the park, and maps of in 1860 with no fewer than 21 glass-
the walking trails. One of the best houses. There is a shuttle bus to the
is the circular Diamond Hill Walk gardens from the abbey.
Above Diamond Hill, in Connemara National which offers rewarding views of ª Leaving the abbey, turn left onto
Park, seen from the Visitor Centre Kylemore Abbey and its surrounding the N59 to Leenane for Killary Harbour.
bays and mountains. It is a looped
VISITING CONNEMARA walk taking about 2–3 hours. For
NATIONAL PARK something less strenuous and
shorter, there are also three less-
Parking demanding trails that skirt the lower
Park at the National Park Visitor Centre.
slopes of Diamond Hill. All routes are
National Park Visitor Centre clearly signposted. Along the way,
Letterfrack, Co Galway; 095 41054;
www.connemaranationalpark.ie; walkers may well glimpse red deer
open Mar–Oct daily and Connemara ponies, and hear a
wide variety of songbirds.
Shopping
Cottage Handcrafts at Moyard by ª From Letterfrack continue east on
park entrance stocks green marble, the N59, along the shores of Lake
tweeds and knits. Pollacappull, to Kylemore Abbey.
VISITING KILLARY HARBOUR 6 Kylemore Abbey
AND LEENANE Co Galway Above A scenic view of the lovely winding fjord
One of the most photographed vistas of Killary Harbour
Killary Harbour Boat Trips in Connemara is from the shores of
Cruises up the fjord depart several 7 Killary Harbour
times daily Apr–Oct. Lake Pollacappull. Across this tranquil
Leenane, Co Galway; 091 566 736; stretch of water, nestling at the foot and Leenane
www.killaryfjord.com of Duchruach Hill, is the castellated Co Galway
form of Kylemore Abbey (open daily). Killary Harbour is Ireland’s only fjord
WHERE TO STAY and the small, picturesque village of
Below Spectacular Kylemore Abbey, perched on Leenane sits at its head. The best
KILLARY HARBOUR AND LEENANE the shoreline of Lake Pollacappull view of the fjord is a little way before
Leenane Hotel moderate
A former coaching station, this family-
run hotel offers beautiful views over
Killary Harbour. Now refurbished,
it retains its old-world character and
has a warm, welcoming ambience.
Clifden Road; closed mid-Nov to mid-
Mar; 095 42249; www.leenanehotel.com
DELPHI VALLEY
Delphi Lodge expensive
Set in a beautiful secluded location on
the shores of Lough Finny and facing
the graceful slopes of the Mweelrea
mountains, the lodge also offers
superb dining in the evening around
a communal table.
Delphi Valley; closed mid-Oct to mid-
Feb; 095 42222; www.delphilodge.ie
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200

174-179_Back_Roads_Ireland.indd 176 11/09/17 12:30 pm
Back Roads LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue Spread template “UK” LAYER
(OpenType)
Date 29th April 2009
Size 145mm x 217mm
Fonts Bulletfont, Clearbullet,
Frutiger Pro, Myriad Pro, Travelfont