Connacht: Mountains, Monasteries and Prehistoric Landscapes

Connemara National Park includes part of the Twelve Bens mountain range, including Benbaun, the highest peak in County Galway at 725 metres. The main entrance is near Letterfrack on the N59; the visitor centre is accessible by public and private transport. You can factor the journey to the visitor centre into your plans if you want to explore the mountain landscape.

Mountains and trails in Connemara

The Upper Diamond Hill Route is a challenging 3.7-kilometre circular trail. It starts and ends at the national park visitor centre. The route offers a practical way to include a hike in your visit to the park; when planning, consider both the stated distance and the challenging nature of the trail. As route details may change, check them before setting off.

Kylemore Abbey is also in Connemara. It is a Benedictine monastery and visitor attraction on a 1,000-acre mountainside in County Galway. The six-acre Victorian Walled Garden includes restored garden buildings as well as formal flower, vegetable and herb gardens. Kylemore also offers woodland and lakeside walks across its 1,000-acre estate. This gives you different aspects of the site to choose from: the monastery, landscaped garden areas, and walks through the woods and along the shore.

Prehistoric landscapes in Mayo

The Céide Fields in County Mayo include fields, settlement areas and megalithic tombs that together form the most extensive known Stone Age monument. A natural blanket bog covers the site; its vegetation and wildlife are unique. A platform at the cliff edge stands 110 metres above the sea. Archaeological traces, the bog landscape and the view from the platform offer different ways to experience the Céide Fields.

Monasteries and tombs in County Sligo

Sligo Abbey is a Dominican priory dating from the mid-13th century. Its surviving features include Gothic and Renaissance sculptures, a well-preserved cloister arcade and a carved high altar dating from the 15th century. Visitors can explore the remains of the refectory and dormitories; the historic cemetery lies around the complex. The architecture and surviving areas offer different ways to explore the priory’s history.

Carrowmore, a prehistoric landscape in County Sligo on the Wild Atlantic Way, offers a very different historical perspective. It is the largest and oldest collection of Neolithic tombs in Ireland and includes more than 30 surviving monuments that are almost 6,000 years old. If you are interested in the history of County Sligo, you can compare the medieval monastic site of Sligo Abbey with the Neolithic tomb landscape: the two sites illustrate different periods and forms of cultural heritage.

Everyday history and events in Mayo

The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park presents objects, rare archival photographs and films about Ireland’s rural past. Throughout the year, the museum offers workshops, talks and tours for all ages, as well as changing exhibitions. These complement the monumental and architectural heritage with collections and audiovisual insights. If you are interested in a particular format, check in advance which activities are taking place when you visit.

Connacht offers several distinct highlights: mountain scenery and a challenging circular trail in Connemara, garden experiences and walks at Kylemore, prehistoric monuments in Mayo and Sligo, and monastic architecture and museum collections. Choose the sites according to whether you want to focus your trip more on landscapes, archaeological remains or cultural history.

Discover more destinations: Galway, County Sligo, County Roscommon, County Mayo, County Leitrim, Ulster, Leinster, Munster

For the main travel overview: Ireland.