Top Things to do in Province of Connacht
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Province of Connacht That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Province of Connacht, Ireland including Glengowla Mines, Knocknarea, Arigna Mining Experience, Dun Duchathair, The Great Western Greenway, Erris Head Loop Walk, Atlantic Drive on Achill Island, Killary Sheep Farm, Belleek Castle Museum, Carrowholly Stables & Trekking Centre.
Restaurants in Province of Connacht
1. Glengowla Mines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 426 reviews
Buried beneath the Connemara Mountain lies a way of life long abandoned and almost forgotten just waiting for you to explore! Let the team at Glengowla Mines lead you on a journey of discovery of how lead and silver were mined from the roots of the Connemara Mountains in the 1800’s. The constant dripping of water, the ‘miners breath’ and if you are brave enough - a moment of darkness will set the scene! Delve into the depths of Glengowla mines where you can explore the caverns of marble studded with lead and silver. Follow the veins of copper pyrite which will lead you to the ‘miners gold’ - Galena. Marvel at the rare and beautiful crystals of quartz and fluorite. Learn of the working conditions the miners worked under before the mines closed in 1865. A firm favourite with adults and children alike is to pan for gold and gems at our gold panning station and keep any gems you find! Not only will you enjoy guided tours of the mines,
Reviewed By sarahoR5721WQ
One of the best afternoons spent in Connemara. Great for kids and adults. The staff were all friendly and very patient with my son (and his millions of questions). The Sheepdog display is a must, we loved meeting Jess the sheepdog and watching her herding the sheep to us so we could pet and feed them. The mine tour was great, limited group numbers so not rushed and really interesting with a very knowledgeable and funny guide. We were taught how to pan for gold and even given a little bag to bring our treasure home. A relaxed afternoon in beautiful surroundings to wander around. Great attention to Covid measures, everything we touched was cleaned. I Highly Recommend a visit here!
2. Knocknarea
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 660 reviews
Reviewed By brianf197 - Sligo, Ireland
I always go up the back way so cant say anything about the new walk way. Its a lovely easy climb and the views are class on a nice day
3. Arigna Mining Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 874 reviews
Reviewed By Meganmccarthy1705
Visited the mine on a recent breakaway in Carrick on Shannon. Such a worthwhile experience and would definitely recommend a visit. The staff are such lovely welcoming people and Maurice gave a fantastic tour of the mine providing lots of interesting information as well as first hand accounts of his own mining work. Amazing to see the conditions that people endured. The views from outside the experience are breathtaking but can be viewed from the fabulous coffee shop inside also. Really enjoyed ourselves!
4. Dun Duchathair
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By redhead_roaming - Seattle, United States
Honestly, it's quite an adventure just getting to this place! We rented mountain bikes in town and we were glad we got those versus gentle city bikes. The road that gets you closest, while it looks smooth and nice on Google Maps satellite view, is full of large rocks that would take out city bikes - there was more than one occasion I almost biffed it even with my mountain bike! While walking is certainly an option, it kinda makes sense just to get bikes for the whole day to explore the island anyway. Anyway, the path ends near the cliff side, with a lone bench. It's not America - there are no signs, no safety rails, nothing. Be safe and be informed as to where you need to go. We left our bikes there and I was really worried they would get stolen but no one touched them - thank you kind people! Walking through the limestone landscape, you have to be careful where you step, as you could easily twist an ankle if you're too busy looking around. You start to notice that the stone walls have a couple entries in them and you can follow some virtually all the way to Dun Duchathair. Once you get there, there's not much to see of the actual fort. There's no signs about not walking on the structure and you kinda have to but we tried to keep that to a minimum, to keep the integrity of the structure for years to come. We sat and enjoyed the views for a while though, especially loving waves crashing along the steep cliffs. As cool as watching the sunset would be here, I 100% do not recommend it. I can't imagine trying to navigate the cliffs or the limestone landscape in the dark. For clothing, it wasn't a terribly cold day but with the wind, it made it. We had lightweight fleece jackets, pants and good hiking shoes.
5. The Great Western Greenway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,438 reviews
Reviewed By UndergroundOfHappy
Wonderful day cycling from Achill back to Westport. Love the way the Greenway is close to the road in places although protected or segregated, giving you a picture of the vehicle traffic as you're whistling to yourself, gliding along past picture perfect views. The coastline, hillscape, terrain are all stunning, also nice to see the odd bit of local farm activity along the cycle path. At one point a ram literally said hello to us from high up on a rock (that's what we told ourselves anyway!). Stopped in Mulranny and Newport, both perfect stop offs for bit of food or refreshment, and great views of the coastline or river. We brought two kids of 9 years old and the 42km was just about manageable for them, it's mostly flat anyway. But there were plenty of even younger children we passed along the way too. An unforgettable day's cycling. Highly recommended.
6. Erris Head Loop Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By Errisg
Easy 5k incline - world war 2 lookout post at the top with Eire carved out down below. Fabulous views.
7. Atlantic Drive on Achill Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,306 reviews
Reviewed By Venture14995
I love Achill Island and visit it at least twice a year. There is a lovely drive from Mulranny along by the coast with views of Clare Island & lots of sheep on the road. Keem beach is worth a visit at any time of the year.
8. Killary Sheep Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 375 reviews
contains some of Ireland's most awe-inspiring and dramatic scenery including Killary Fjord. Sheepdog Demonstrations with highly skilled working dogs, feeding the lambs with bottles, Sheep shearing using the hand shears, turf cutting using the traditional method which visitors can try out this ancient method for themselves, walking trails, Great day out for all the family.
Reviewed By peteald - Downers Grove, United States
The drive up to Leenane is absolutely stunning. Once you enter the town of Leenane and see the Fjord you will be blown away, the mountains with the water and the amazing flowers are an unbeatable scene. We took a day trip up to the area on one of our last days in Ireland and wish we would have gone earlier so we could have spent more time there! Killary Sheep Farm is spectacular. We went in May, when it was a little warmer than usual for the time, and had a wonderful experience. There was a tour group of about 30 individuals there, and my girlfriend and I were the only ones there not a part of the tour. Tom took time to answer everyone questions and explain how a sheep farm operates. The best part was toward the end, we got to hold baby sheep and feed them. We feed a sheep that was just born the day before, they are so cute! You get a little bottle that you feed them with and you have one of the most adorable experiences ever. The farm is amazing, the family that runs it are so nice and helpful, and the views are impeccable. This day trip was the highlight of a week long trip all over Ireland. If you are on the west coast, or staying in Galway, make the trip up and have a day you'll always remember.
9. Belleek Castle Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 231 reviews
Learn about the history of Belleek Castle & the story of its inhabitants the Knox-Gore family. Lean about the exciting life of Marshall Doran a sailor who made his fortune from smuggling & antique dealing who later became hotelier & restored Belleek Castle in the 1960's. Visitors will see the original Castle & Marshalls additions to the house such as the Spanish Armada Bar (built from salvaged wood from Spanish Armada shipwrecks) and the Medieval Banquet Hall,. The highlight of the tour will be the Marshall Doran Collection! One of the finest collections of antiques, Jurassic Fossils, Medieval weapons and Medieval Armour in Ireland! Other curiosities include the last wolf shot in Connaught & the bed of Grace O'Malley, Ireland's Pirate Queen.
Reviewed By sandramK8378SD
Went Nov. 2019, great tour, guide fantastically knowledgeable. Would be great for kids as well. Very interesting history. ????
10. Carrowholly Stables & Trekking Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 260 reviews
Carrowholly Stables is situated 3 miles from Westport town in the beautiful west coast of Ireland and is the perfect choice for all your horse riding. We offer pony camps, group parties, beach and trail rides suitable for all levels of riders from the beginner to the more accomplished enthusiast. We have a wide range of horses and ponies from 11hh- 17hh to suit all abilities (We have ponies ranging in height from 107-148 cm and our horses range in height from 149-165 cm). Packages can be tailor made to suit your requirements. Discounts are available for groups and regular bookings. A.I.R.E. and Failte Ireland Approved.
Reviewed By Mollymullet
Carrowholly Stables Westport Co.Mayo. We weren't expecting the experience we got - in a great way. For the price of €30 pp, we got a little more than an hour. The staff were so calming and helpful, that we couldn't have been made feel more relaxed or at ease. I had Graham as my guide. He was gentle and very nice to chat with. I had Molly Mullet as my horse, she was sweet and she took good care when I was on her back. But the nicest thing we got to do was not only trek on the beach but to walk through the water up to the horses chest. Wow what an experience to do and on such beautiful creatures. I would like to thank Kitty and her staff who run a beautiful establishment with so many wonderful horses. What an experience and I would hope tourist will visit this place when in Westpost Co. Mayo, Ireland. You won't be disappointed. Thanks to Joe also who was our other guide. For a beginner and the first time on a horse, I was able to trot after a while, due to the staff. They take great care in every way to make you feel at ease and place you on a horse that suits you. Myself and my 2 friends loved it. I would go again
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