Day 1 Arrive Shannon

Arrive at Shannon airport in the morning, pick up your car rental and travel to the north Clare coastal village of Ballyvaughan (1.5 hours).

Day 1 Ballyvaughan

Ballyvaughan village is situated between the hills of the Burren and the southern coastline of Galway Bay. It is the ideal place for almost everybody: those who look for peace and tranquility in their holidays, those who look for traditional music and old pubs, for archaeologists, botanists and fishermen. Families will enjoy the safety of the beach in Bishopsquarter, surfers will love the waves in Fanore. Hillwalking and cycling are among the most popular pastimes among locals and tourists alike. It is also a great base for exploring some of the best known landmarks of Ireland; Cliffs of Moher, Poulnabrone Dolmen and Alliwee Caves.

Day 2 & 3 Westport

Skirt around Galway Bay with views of the Burren and the Aran Islands and on a clear day the mountains of Connemara. From Galway City head northwest into County Mayo and on to the splendid town of Westport (3 hours).

Westport is a postcard-pretty town with as lovely a main street as you'll be likely to find anywhere in Ireland. The town lies in the shadow of Croagh Patrick with Clew Bay and its 365 islands just to the west. While in Westport be sure to visit Westport House and climb at least a little of Croagh Patrick. Westport House dates from 1730 and offers everything from a dungeon to a zoo! Croagh Patrick is a 765-meter hill where St. Patrick is said to have banished the snakes from Ireland. This hill is climbed (often barefoot) by thousands of Catholic pilgrims each July. South of Westport are some stunning scenic drives leading into the Connemara region. A trip northwards will bring you to remote Achill island which is accessible by a small bridge. Even further off the beaten path is Belmullet in the northwest corner of County Mayo. Westport also boasts a great selection of traditional pubs, among them Matt Molloy's of the Chieftains.

Day 3 Optional Activities:
Golf at Westport

Day 4 & 5 Donegal

Travel northeast through Sligo to one of the least visited and yet most beautiful counties in the whole of Ireland: Donegal (3 hours).

Donegal is the fourth-largest county on the island and one of the most sparsely populated. It’s also one of the most beautiful, with a coastline 400 miles (644 km) long, and many lakes and rivers, mountains and moors. Because of its lack of people, it looks much as it must have centuries ago. It also means that it is a very relaxing place to spend time. Everywhere you go there are wonderful views, empty beaches, and charming little villages. Among its many interesting features are the highest sea cliffs in Europe, Slieve League, and Glenveagh National Park. The Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) is the largest in the country. There is so much to see and do in Donegal that you could very easily spend weeks instead of days. The county also is famous worldwide for its tweed and for its distinctive Parian china. Enya, one of Ireland’s most successful contemporary singers, and her siblings, the band Clannad, are natives of the Donegal town of Gweedore, which is famous countrywide for its traditional Irish music.

Day 5 Optional Activity:
Golf at Donegal (Murvagh)

Day 6 Athlone

Meander south from Donegal through Ireland’s lake counties of Fermanagh, Leitrim and Roscommon. End the day in Athlone which straddles the river Shannon at the very centre of Ireland (3 hours).

Athlone in County Westmeath, has been a strategic crossing point on the River Shannon for many centuries. Because of this position Athlone has played a prominent role in many Irish battles. Today Athlone is a busy boating centre as cruising on the Shannon has become very popular in recent years. During the summer months there is a constant stream of crafts of all size navigating up and down the river and through the loughs in the town. This makes Athlone seem more like a bustling port than an inland town. The town also has some great shopping with a vast array of knitwear, celtic crafts and souvenirs can be found. The town's most imposing historical feature is Athlone Castle situated on the west bank of the Shannon. It was built by the Normans in 1210 on the site of an older wooden fort. Also, do not miss the impressive monastic site of Clonmacnoise which is situated on the banks of the Shannon south of Athlone in County Offaly and dates back almost 1,500 years. St. Ciaran, the son of an Ulsterman who had settled in Connaught, chose the site in 545 AD because of its ideal location at the junction of river and road. You will see that he chose wisely.

Day 7 Ennis

Complete your Hidden Ireland loop by travelling southwest to Ennis, the capital town of County Clare (1.5 hours).

Located just 15 miles from Shannon Airport, Ennis is the county town of Clare and is always pleasantly busy. It takes its name from the Irish word “inis” (island) as it is virtually surrounded by the River Fergus on which it sits. Its streets are narrow and attractive, some of them pedestrianised. The Friary at the bottom of Abbey Street, was founded by the O’Briens in the 13th century. Many of its original features survive and it’s well worth visiting. But the main attraction in Ennis is the locals' obvious love of traditional music. Every May the town hosts Fleadh Nua, an international celebration of Irish culture, while in November, the Ennis Trad Festival is held. But trad music of the very highest quality is on display in the pubs of Ennis throughout the year. It often seems that those in the town that can't sing or play an instrument are very much in the minority. The person who recently labeled Ennis the Nashville of traditional Irish music wasn't far wrong.

Day 8 Depart Shannon

Transfer to Shannon airport to catch your departing flight (30 minutes).

Golf at Westport (Day 3) 4 hours

Situated on the shores of Clew Bay and set in 260 acres of parkland, Westport offers golfers a memorable challenge. The course commands a wonderful view of Clew Bay and is dominated by the Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick. The course was designed by the noted golf architect Fred Hawtree, who also designed the St. Andrews New Course.

 

Slowly it dawns on the visitor that, although beside the sea, this is not a links course. It's almost pure parkland, on 250 mature acres, with a well-balanced combination of holes and a truly majestic backdrop of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay.

It's an accommodating course for the average player but provides a feisty challenge for the more accomplished golfer. In this course of two distinct halves, the opening nine is relatively straightforward but the long back nine calls for character. The best known hole on this course is the truly outstanding par 5 fifteenth which reaches 580 yards and demands a drive clear over an inlet of Clew Bay. Not for the faint hearted.

Westport Golf Club is recognised as a prestigious venue and has hosted both the Ladies Home Internationals in 1989 and the Irish Amateur Close Championship on three occasions, most recently in 1997. The attractive modern clubhouse boasts every amenity the discerning golfer requires, including a bright and spacious bar, overlooking the 19th green and full restaurant facilities offering everything from lunchtime snacks to an á la carte menu.

Golf at Donegal (Day 5) 4 hours

Donegal Golf Club (or Murvagh) is situated on the beautiful Murvagh Peninsula on Donegal Bay, just south of Donegal town. It is an outstanding links golf course. Designed by the legendary course architect, Eddie Hackett, it is one of the longest links in Ireland and Britain and always features in Golf World's Top 100 courses.

The course is screened from the outside world by a forest of evergreens with the Bluestack Mountains forming an imposing backdrop. Nick Faldo played here in preparation for his third victory in the Irish Open. Configured in two loops of nine holes, Donegal Golf Links is often described as the Muirfield of Ireland and the course can provide a fearsome challenge when the wind rises, as is reflected in its standard scratch of 75.

 

Described famously by an English golf journalist as 'hauntingly beautiful', it is everything you want it to be; tough, enjoyable, full of surprises and wonderfully inviting regardless of your skill level. There are great views of the Blue Stack Mountains and a wide variety of holes to enjoy during your round. Perhaps the finest of the lot is the short fifth, aptly called 'The Valley of Tears'.