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Galway is the fourth largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the only city in the province of Connacht in Ireland. The city
also bears the nickname City of the Tribes for the fourteen "Tribes" (merchant families) that originally settled there.
Galway is a perfect base for seeing the West of Ireland, but it is also worth a visit in itself. Galway is the unofficial cultural
capital of Ireland and its lively arts scene peaks during the summertime Galway Arts Festival. The Galway Races take place every year in Galway for one week, starting on the last Monday in July. This is a particularly busy time and is the most expensive time to stay. In the city, there are extra crowds which make it difficult for restaurant reservations and most pubs are very busy. Traffic also comes to a stand still around the race times, which vary every day.
The Arans Islands
Located in the heart of Galway Bay, on the very edge of Europe,
the Islands are rich in the language, culture and heritage of Ireland.
Here the locals speak Gaelic and you sense the spirit of
Gaelic Ireland. Aran will take you back to an Ireland of Celts and
Early Christians. The Islands offer breath-taking scenery, ecclesiastical
ruins from early Christian times, medieval castles, cliffs,
prehistoric stone forts (including the famous Dún Aonghasa
ring fort), sandy beaches.
Island ferries operate a ½ hour ferry from Rosaveal (23 miles
West of Galway city) to Inish Mor (the largest of Aran Islands)
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top visitor attraction. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8
kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one
can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head
to the South.
The Cliffs of Moher are home to one of the major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds in Ireland. Included within the site are a
cliff-top maritime grassland and heath, and a 200 metre zone of open water, directly in front of the cliffs to protect part of
the birds' feeding area. The designation covers 200 hectares and highlights the area's importance for wildlife.
Connemara
Outside of Galway City, the wild and sparsely populated Connemara region offers
spectacular scenery of valleys, mountains and lakes and unparalleled hill walking
across the peaks of the Twelve Bens. The coast line is wrought into rocky inlets
sheltering white sand beaches, and is studded with the beautiful Aran islands.
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* All airline related taxes and fuel surcharges are included. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and are subject to change prior to purchase. Some foreign authorities require fees at arrival or departure that must be collected directly from the passengers at the airport. Airline-imposed baggage fees may apply and be due at the airport; please consult your airline prior to departure for the latest fees.
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