The West Coast of Ireland.

[TanselleTooTall]

I have always fancied the idea of holidaying somewhere in Ireland, especially so along a coast. Frankly it all looks beautiful, both inland and coastal.

I don't really know why but I'm gravitating towards the west coast although I really like the idea of visiting the very south.

I know I'm whittling on (sorry!) but the reason I am posting is to ask if anyone is familiar with west Ireland and if so, where would they recommend to visit. I would really appreciate the help.

We live in the very inner city so when we go away we only ever book self catering homes that are secluded, rural, situated on a farm, a quiet spot by a canal, tiny village etc etc. We love to walk and we take advantage of the hiking trails that are usually found nearby. We MAY visit a castle if there's one nearby/wander about a market or specialist fair/or even do a run of charity shops for the day in the nearby town, however we mostly hole ourselves up and spend the week taking in the immediate area, enjoying the lack of people and the quiet. That's just about as adventurous as (alliteration wasn't deliberate!) we get when we go away and I've included that info to put into context the type of holiday we like.

I would love to be minutes by the sea, eating cockles and oysters fresh from a seafood stand..my children would as well.

There are 6 of us, me, DP, and children aged 12, 9, 4 and nearly 2.

Thank you in advance for any help given. I am really looking forward to reading suggestions.

Dingle in kerry is amazing or Galway city with day trips to connemara or the Burren in Clare is so beautiful.

We stayed in a cottage near Galway a couple of summers ago. Loved it. Loads to see, do, climb and walk along both to the north and south. Cracking beaches too.

I would imagine anywhere along the west coast of Ireland would be great.

Or Westport in mayo with the scenic greenway..so many amazing choices.

Westport is gorgeous - loads to do, we go every year.

I can't do a link sorry, but take a look at the website for the Wild Atlantic Way. It covers the whole of the west coast & will give you lots of ideas. The west is beautiful, just stunning.

Have a google of the Wild Atlantic Way and pick your route/spot.

If you can get all the way down to the very south, I’d highly recommend the West Cork peninsula. Clonakilty is lovely and has a great alternative scene, and right out west in Bantry Bay and Castletownbere it’s just stunning. I’d highly recommend it if you can manage it, and less touristy than the Ring of Kerry etc.

Fanore or Ballyvaughan in County Clare are fab. You are in the middle of the Burren which is a n area of spectacular natural beauty with great walking trails . They are both beside the sea and Fanore has a lovely beach. Lovely restaurants and little coffee shops in the area.
You can also take a boat nearby out to the Aran islands which you would love.
Irish music in the pubs.
We have holidayed there and lived it. Want to go back.
It's near Shannon airport if you are flying over.

Agree with the pp who suggested getting right down into West Cork. Delightful scenery and the people are fab.

Westport and Mulranny are lovely. You could rent a house. Some hotels have houses on the grounds and you can use the hotel facilities too which is good. Handy to have a pool as it rains a lot on the west coast! You can hire bikes and cycle the greenway, climb Croagh Patrick, visit Clare island, Westport house etc and Westport is a lovely town. Lots to do and see in the area.

Are you planning on having a car? If so stay in Ennistymon Co Clare. Lahinch is close for the sea. There's loads near too like Cliffs of Moher, Burren for walking, Craggaunowen, Ailwee caves etc.
Or you can stay in Lahinch

Also check Spanish Point (also Clare) nice beach not very busy.

I wont go on as I might be a bit Clare bias!! Though if you don't plan on a car Clare might be difficult.

Westport is amazing. We go a couple of times a year to visit family. There are 5 of us so we use an Air B&B. Normally fly to Knock and hire a car, you can be in Westport in under an hour.
Go to the beaches at Old Head and further round past Louisburgh. Up to Achill another day and drive the Atlantic Drive. Spectacular scenery. Climb Croagh Patrick. Visit Killary Fjord, there's loads to do and plenty of brilliant pubs and restaurants.

Check out Ben Inagh cottages in Connemara. Havent stayed there but they are on my list. Remote and beautiful location. Stunning scenery, gorgeous beaches nearby, great walking. You can potter about Clifden , visit Kylemore abbey, connemara national park, omey island, derrigimlagh.etc

Irish living in Ireland and sometimes my soul aches for the mountains in Connemara. They are not big but there is something so unforgiving about them. We camped there a couple of years ago as I got a strong urge to see the mountains. There are lots of unspoilt areas and you can take a ferry to the Aran Islands or Inish boffin. There is a national park with some nice bikes. The 12 pins are the mountain range. They speak Irish in the gaeltacht areas and you can get lovely sea food in the pubs and restaurants. Galway is a lovely city also. Parts of Mayo and Clare are withing driving distance but there is plenty to do around Connemara in relation to walks and chilling. Connemara is the west of Galway. Donegal and Kerry are also lovely. Donegal is more rugged and Kerry is more scenic.

Hikes not bikes

I’ve stayed in Lahinch and done day trips from there. Close enough to the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, etc. and the beach is nice right there. My BIL and SIL like to surf there. It’s a lovely area.

Look at the Dingle Peninsula. You need a car, but the beaches are amazing.
We've had two self catering holidays here ( Castlegregory side of the peninsula) doing nothing but bodyboarding and walking.

I have to declare a bias here but West Cork is amazing.
If you stay in or nearby to Clonakilty ,you can go to many beaches , my favourite being Inchydowney.
Bantry, Glengariff and the Ring of Kerry are all so beautiful.

Ireland is stunning and it is possible to have four seasons in one day but oh so worth it .
Enjoy where ever you decide to go.

Westport, Clifden or West Cork are all fabulous. I'd probably choose Westport though out of those if I had to pick one.

MondayTuesday yes Mulranny - that's where we stay - it's idyllic. Gorgeous beaches - the Greenway for cycling and walks and welcoming pubs - love the Mulranny Hotel and Nevins in Tiernaur. Easy access to Newport, Westpkrt and Achill. We have the best time every year. Get a rented house or cottage there - there are loads on the market.

I haven't abandoned the thread, I'm still here!! My car isn't working so school and nursery runs are on foot and I'm pushed for time.

I didn't expect as many replies. Thank you everyone.
I'm excited at the prospect of later jotting down all names and searching each one on Google.

DP said he fancied driving to Scotland and then getting a ferry over because the children haven't been on a ferry before. Soooo...yes, I need help with this area as well (not that DP leaves the organising to me and does nothing to contribute, I just want clarification as to how best to go about it from those of you who've done this before) if this is ok.

I'm really excited.

Definitely do the Wild Atlantic Way - they were just starting to put the signs up when I left a few years ago. It takes in some stunning scenery.

If you REALLY want to get away from it all, then Donegal (including Inishowen) and Fermanagh are both lovely though a bit further north than you might be wanting. Fermanagh in particular is somewhere people generally don't know much about apart from Omagh, which made news headlines all those years ago for such tragic reasons. And it's a shame, as it's a lovely part of the world.

Mulranny and Newport lovely and might suit you. We like quiet remote places for holidays too. Small lively villages in the middle of beautiful countryside.Sounds like a lovely holiday.

Ring of Kerry and West Cork.

No matter how many holidays abroad I go on to sunny Spain, nothing compares to our family holidays in Ireland. Beautiful, relaxing and the kids have a fantastic time.

The journey over from Scotland to Ireland is short and lovely (as long as the sea's not too rough) but it depends on where your starting point is?

It's a REALLY long journey, and utterly tedious if you hit traffic, if you're anywhere south of about Birmingham. Maybe think about going via Holyhead, or Liverpool, or if you are south of Brum, even go via Milford Haven to Rosslare and drive from there? The roads in Ireland will be much emptier than roads up to the Stranraer area.

Though of course if you're already in the north or Scotland then Stranraer (well, Cairnryan now) is obviously a better bet. (And depending on where you're coming from, you could have the joy of stopping at Tebay services. I mean that sincerely, their farm shop is fab.) Enjoy, whatever you decide.