The Aran Islands, County Galway

Upturned currachs on the Aran Islands - photo credit Susan Byron

The Aran Islands, despite being the most popular and most visited islands off the coast of Galway are still very special, being pocket-sized versions of the mainland and the world-famous karst limestone region known as the Burren. Inis Oír and Inis Meain in particular, are good indicators of how life used to be in Ireland, not so very long ago, whether you were a fisherman, farmer or shepherd or all three thrown in together for good measure, dictated by necessity at the time. So, if you get a chance at all, you should definitely take a trip out to either Inis Mór (the big island) Inis Meain (the middle island) or Inis Oír (the eastern island). Inis Mór is where it’s all happening with the precarious, cliff side, stone fort of Dún Aengus which is a huge draw. Unfortunately, it is also where the world and his mother goes every July and August also,  so do yourself a HUGE favour and choose one of the smaller islands, preferably Inis Meain (my favourite) which are just as lovely, perhaps even more so when you consider that you will most likely have it to yourself ! Born of a long tradition of fishing and farming these once isolated island communities were self-sufficient and pretty much oblivious to life on the mainland, some say they still are! Legend has it that World War 2 pretty much passed them by altogether, even today they don’t pay too much attention to what is going on in Dublin, never mind the rest of the world! The Irish language is alive and well out there, as is traditional Irish music and crafts like knitting and basket making and you will not get closer to nature than on any of the Aran Islands. And yet, we have to credit modern-day technology like broadband for leading a revival and return to many of Ireland’s islands that suffered a such a huge exodus in the past.

There is a daily service a during the summer, to each of the three Aran Islands from either Rossaveal or Doolin Harbour which begins around about St Patrick’s Day, or Easter at the latest and runs until the end of October, if possible. Sailing times differ slightly depending on the weather and the tides of course, so always check directly just in case! Extracted for the Treasure Ireland series of Irish Travel Guides written by Susan Byron author of the independent travel website www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Escape to Delphi Mountain Resort in Connemara - spectacular scenery, excellent food and pampering in one

Delphi Mountain Resort while little over an hour from Galway City is every bit as remote and beautiful as Machu Picchu and a whole lot easier to get to! 

The drive out through Connemara has to be one of the most stunning road trips in the world. Big mountains, dotted with curly horned sheep under even bigger skies that change constantly in an endless play of sunlight and cloud cover. Wild flowers and turf ricks line the route with the odd abandoned cottage sparking the imagination of the wannabee permanent deserter. Acid green fields give way to bogs that edge deep, inky blue loughs, where lone fishermen bob up and down on wind whipped waves.

It’s soul food of a kind that is unique to Ireland, thank God..

Winding around Ireland’s only fjord from Leenane Village (where the movie "The Field" was filmed) Delphi Mountain Resort appears like a scene from "The Hobbit", nestled perfectly into the landscape its rustic eyebrows winking a warm welcome to you as dusk falls.

By contrast the interiors are large and spacious with bright modern rooms with crisp white linen and warm fleecy throws. 

The main focus for many visitors is the wide variety of outdoor activities including, hiking, kayaking, surfing, crag climbing and hill walking. Although we were warned not to venture above the cloud line just in case. Connemara Mountain Rescue had no need to fear on our account the only scaling we were doing was up to the panoramic first floor dining room and the nearest thing to exposure/chill factor we were going to get was several bottles of ice cold Sauvignon Blanc.

Having bemusedly watched the kaleidoscope of changing light and weather that danced across Mweelrea mountain (the highest in Connaught) and feasted on hearty food including cinnamon spiced brown bread, homemade soup, Connemara lamb shanks, and fresh fish from that same fjord we slept like babies.  

Conveniently enough we slept right through the 9.30 am roster for the zip wire and wall climbing activities. Favoring instead a rendezvous with a lounger in the award winning spa at Delphi Mountain Resort. Treatments by a team of expert French therapists include everything you might imagine from facials to massages with the Delphi seaweed bath being the most popular. And while the rest of the them were 'out and about' we were 'busy relaxing' sipping on Delphi’s own blended herbal teas, happy out....(indoors)


December Trails at Delphi Delphi Mountain Resort have some great winter walking offers on this December. Experience these magical landscapes (some would say at their best) with an overnight stay which includes bed, hearty breakfast and dinner, with a guided walk and / or hot seaweed bath in the award winning spa. Sounds like the perfect way to escape the Christmas madness....

One night €119, Two nights €219 per per sharing.

By Susan Byron author of "Ireland's Hidden Gems"

For more information visit the Delphi Mountain Resort website here

The Volvo Ocean Race is coming to Galway - six of the fastest sailing boats battle as the city parties

There is great excitement about the Volvo Ocean Race coming to Galway on the 30th June 2012 so much so that Galway has built a huge quay side festival around it which will cater for pretty much everyone even if you haven’t the remotest interest in the boats or the racing itself.

It was a rip roaring success the first time Galway hosted the event in 2008. This was mainly due to the fantastic weather and fingers crossed we’ll get the same again.

The the city is gearing up to welcome some 100,000 visitors over the next week when the Volvo Ocean Race, which began in Alicante, Spain in October 2011 comes to a close after 39,000 grueling miles. Six teams - Abu Dhabi Racing, Camper with Emirates, Puma Ocean Racing, Team Sanya, Team Telefonica and Groupama (the French team leading the race at the moment) - will set off from L’orient in Volvo 70 footers (the fastest in the world) for the final leg and finish of the race in Galway.

And while the star attraction will undoubtedly be those six Volvo yachts and their crews battling it out to the finish in Galway some time next Tuesday the 3rd July. There is going to be so much sailing and waterside action with a full programme of in port racing, daytime events and evening entertainment, we wont even notice if it rains. In fact it is going to be one huge party from start to finish!

For full details of the festival and events visit Volvo Ocean Race Festival or as they say there is an App for that.

But be warned access will be limited so to avoid the inevitable traffic jams either Park & Ride from Ballybrit Racecourse €5 or hop a rib from Kinvara with Ribwest €18 or take a ferry across Galway Bay from Ballyvaughan with the O’Brien Line €20.

Failing all that and if you cant make it to Galway one of the days you can always watch the live action here.

For more information about Galway please visit http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/galway.html .

By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com