Northwest Ireland

This is a rugged area of tweedy bogs and shining black lakes overseen by dramatic mountains, most notably the famous Twelve Bens. (Some fit and hardy souls attempt to climb all 12 in a single day, the highest peak being Benbaun at 2,392 feet.) To the north lies County Sligo, a region of Ireland renowned for its traditional music and poetry. Indeed, the poet William Butler Yeats said, “The place that has really influenced my life most is Sligo.” He is buried in the county’s north, close to the dramatic rocky outcrop Ben Bulben, which he immortalized in verse.

Golfers will find several fine courses in the northwest: Connemara Championship Golf Links, Carne, Enniscrone, Donegal Golf Club and Narin & Portnoo. I would urge you to take the magnificent drive around the Rosguill Peninsula, a remote and visually stunning part of the country where you will find breathtaking sea vistas, beaches with water tinted in Caribbean shades and fields flecked with grazing sheep.

Editor Tips

Connemara's Unending Beauty

Connemara is one of the most movingly beautiful parts of Ireland. With no destination in mind, I’ve often set out just to immerse myself in the landscape of mountains, lakes and rocky seacoast. Part of Connemara is a national park, and the visitor center in Letterfrack is a fine place to find information on hikes and scenic trails.

Northwest Ireland's Enticing Golf Courses

Golfers will find several enticing courses in the northwest: Connemara Championship Golf Links, west of Galway City; Carne, just north, with a layout by the legendary Eddie Hackett; and the nearby Enniscrone, another Hackett creation, with dramatic seaside dunes. Farther north, in Donegal, there is memorable golf at the Donegal Golf Club and at Narin & Portnoo.

The Rosguill Peninsula

If you opt to stay in Donegal, a remote and visually stunning part of the country, I would urge you to take the magnificent drive around the Rosguill Peninsula. You will find breathtaking sea vistas, beaches with water tinted in Caribbean shades and fields flecked with grazing sheep.