Galway
Medieval Galway City is a whirlwind of activity with pubs and restaurants, arts, crafts and culture. The historic City of The Tribes dances to its own unique vibrant beat. Music, festivals, horse racing, pubs, restaurants, shops, theatres and most of all Galway people, combine to create this atmospheric city of culture.
www.galway.net
Galway Races - Summer Festival Meeting
Galway Races Summer Festival Meeting is Ireland's premier national race meeting and now has an attendance of approximately 200,000 people over the course of its seven day duration.
With a mixture of flat and national hunt racing, Galway Races attracts punters from all walks of life from the keen race-goer to the ordinary punter. The two big races are the Galway Plate held on the Wednesday and the Galway Handicap Hurdle held on the Thursday.
www.galwayraces.com
Clarenbridge Oyster Festival
The Clarenbridge Oyster Festival was established in 1954. Since its inception when 34 people attended the very first festival at Paddy Burke's, Clarenbridge, the festival has gone on to represent all that is good about life, namely Good Company, Good Food, Good Entertainment and Great Craic.
Each year the festival draws visitors from all over the world. Over 100,000 native oysters are consumed during this colourful week of gourmet food, good Guinness and great fun. The highlight of the week is the World Oyster Opening Championship, with challengers competing to open 30 oysters in the shortest time. Clarenbridge is situated 4 kilometres from Oranhill Lodge.
www.clarenbridge.com
Galway Arts Festival
The Galway Arts Festival is a strong, vibrant and incredible visual spectacle. Founded in 1978, it is Ireland's leading arts festival, incorporating theatre, dance, visual arts, music, literature and comedy. Since its inception, the Festival has become a platform for Irish and International art of the highest quality and is now established as one of Europe's key cultural events.
www.galwayartsfestival.ie
Cruinniu na mBad Festival
Up to 100 unique Irish boats, the Galway Hookers, once the workhorses of the coast of Connemara and North Clare, gather for a weekend of racing and celebration at Cruinniú na mBád (Gathering of the Boats), festival in Kinvara, Co. Galway, in August. Since its revival in 1979, the festival has become one of the most unique and successful weekend festivals in Ireland. The visual spectacle of the colourful traditional boats, under sail, at high water in Kinvara Bay, is unparalleled and thousands visit the festival each year to enjoy the races and many other attractions and events. Kinvara is located 12 kilometres from Oranhill Lodge.
http://www.galwayhookerassociation.ie/cruinniu_english.htm
Golf
County Galway is littered with championship golf courses and challenging links in some of Ireland's most beautiful landscapes. Galway has a long dramatic coastline perfect for crafting the links courses Ireland is so famous for. Inland, the parkland courses are green, lush and always challenging. The main golf season runs from April to October, however you can play throughout the year. Local golf clubs are reknowned for their warm welcome and down to earth attitude.
The Christy O'Connor designed Galway Bay Golf Club is located 3 kilometres from
Oranhill Lodge.
http://www.galwaybaygolfresort.com
Fishing
When it comes to fishing Ireland's West has it all, from the promising waters of a remote inland lake to the thrill of deep sea fishing. The rivers of Ireland's West offer everything from big salmon to wild browns and some of the best fishing stocks in Ireland. The great Western lakes of Galway and Mayo are recognised as the best wild brown trout fisheries in the World, while Lough Corrib in Galway is a mecca for game fishermen and famous for its Mayfly season.
Aran Islands
No holiday to Ireland would be complete without a trip to the mystical Aran Islands
which are situated in the middle of Galway Bay. The rugged, natural beauty along with thatch roofed stone cottages that dot the islands provide a splendid example of Celtic and early Christian heritage and gives you the impression that you have travelled back in time. The islands are Inishmore, the largest, Inishmaan and Inisheer the smallest.
www.aranislands.ie
Connemara
Connemara is one of Ireland's most peaceful and scenic areas. With its rugged
landscape and tranquil atmosphere it has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland. From its lakes which are rich for fishing, the Twelve Bens mountain range and golden beaches reaching out to the Atlantic Ocean, Connemara is truly an area of unsurpassed beauty.
www.connemara.com
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are 8kms long and 214m high and offer superb views of the Clare coastline, Connemara Mountains and the Aran Islands. The cliffs are located adjacent to the famous Burren region of North Clare.
www.cliffsofmoher.ie