Page 133 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

IRELAND  131

The imposing Kylemore Abbey, on the shores of Kylemore Lough, Connemara
e Galway Nearby is the Collegiate Church Nearby Kylemore Abbey is a
Co. Galway. * 60,000. £ @ of St. Nicholas, the city’s finest 19th-century romantic, battle-
n The Fairgreen, Foster St (091-537 medieval building. To the south mented fantasy. It became an
700). ( Sat & Sun. _ Arts Festival stands the 16th-century Spanish abbey when Benedictine nuns,
(Jul); Galway Races (late Jul); Oyster Arch, where ships from Spain fleeing from Belgium during
Festivals (Sep). unloaded their cargoes. Across World War I, sought refuge here.
the Corrib, facing the arch, is the A Victorian walled garden and
Galway is the center for the Irish- Claddagh. The only remnants of nature trails through the woods
speaking regions in the West of this once close-knit, Gaelic- and along the lake make the
Ireland and a lively university city. speaking community are its abbey a popular destination.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, friendly pubs and Claddagh
it was a prosperous trading port, rings – betrothal rings that are
controlled by 14 merchant traditionally handed down from t Aran Islands
families, or “tribes.” Its allegiance mother to daughter. Co. Galway. * 900. k from
to the English Crown cost the Connemara (091-593 034).
city dear when, in 1652, it was r Connemara g from Rossaveal (091-568 903);
sacked by Cromwell’s forces. In from Doolin (Easter–Sep: 065-707
the 18th century, Galway fell Co. Galway. @ to Clifden or Letterfrack. 4455). n Kilronan, Inishmore (099-
into decline, but in recent years, n Mar–Oct: Galway Road, Clifden 61263). Heritage Center: Open daily.
its fortunes have revived (095-21163). National Park Visitors’ = & 7
through high-tech industries. Center: Tel 095-41 054. Open Mar–Oct:
The city stands on the banks daily. - 7 ∑ connemaranational Inishmore, Inishmaan, and
of the Corrib River. Many of the park.ie Kylemore Abbey: Tel 095-52 Inisheer, the three Aran Islands,
best stores, pubs, theaters, and 001. Open daily. & 8 compulsory. are formed from a limestone
historic sights are packed into ∑ kylemoreabbeytourism.ie ridge. The largest, Inishmore, is
the narrow lanes of the “Latin 13 km (8 miles) long and 3 km
Quarter” around Quay Street. This wild region, to the west of (2 miles) wide. The attractions of
Galway, encompasses bogs, the islands include the austere
mountains, and rugged Atlantic land scape crisscrossed with dry-
coastline. The small market town stone walls, stunning coastal
of Clifden is a convenient and views, and prehistoric stone forts.
popular base for exploring. The islands are a bastion of
Starting from Clifden, the Sky traditional Irish culture, with most
Road is an 11 km (7 mile) of the islanders engaged in fishing,
circular route with spectacular farming, or tourism. Ferries sail at
ocean views. South of Clifden, least once a day in winter and
the coast road to Roundstone several times daily in summer. Cars
skirts a massive bog, impromptu cannot be taken to the islands.
landing site of the first At Kilronan on Inishmore,
transatlantic flight made by jaunting cars (ponies and traps)
Alcock and Brown in 1919. and minibuses wait by the pier
Connemara National Park, to give tours; bicycles can also
near Letterfrack, includes some be hired. Nearby, the Aran
spectacular scenery, dominated Heritage Centre is dedicated to
by the mountains known as the the disappearing Aran way of
Twelve Bens. Here, visitors have life. The islands are famous for
Colorful storefronts lining Quay Street in a chance to spot red deer and their distinctive knitwear and
Galway’s “Latin Quarter” the famous Connemara ponies. traditional costumes.

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