A 3 day circular tour of approx. 300 miles (480km)

Day 1 : Start your tour from Ross Lake House and drive to the historic city of Galway, the Gateway to Connemara, with its Spanish Arch, Eyre Square and the Church of Saint Nicholas in which Christopher Columbus is said to have prayed before he set out for America. Your tour of Connemara brings you by Spiddal, in the heart of the Irish-speaking district, and along the coast to Costelloe, Screeb, and the beautifully located town of Clifden. On leaving Clifden you turn northwards towards Letterfrack and Tullycross where the coast scenery and beaches are unrivalled. Continue on via the beautiful Pass of Kylemore and the famous Kylemore Abbey to Leenane, at the head of picturesque Killary Harbour.

When driving around the roads in Connemara you are likely to encounter many sheep grazing happily by the side of the road, but watch out for the animal most associated with Connemara - the famous Connemara Pony. Drive on northwards through the mountains to the pleasant fishing village of Louisburgh in County Mayo, in the shadow of Croagh Patrick where St. Patrick did penance. Stop in Westport, an important sea-angling centre. Alternatively you can get from Leenane to Westport through the Joyce country, taking you through some delightful scenery to Maam, Cong, Ballinrobe, Partry, Ballintubber, with its famous abbey, and into Westport. From Westport continue to Castlebar, a bustling market town, and overnight in Jennings Hotel.

Day 2 : The following day leave Jennings Hotel and explore the beauties of Achill Island. This island is joined to the mainland by a bridge and is the largest island off the Irish coast. Explore the island and then return to the mainland and experience the magnificent cliff scenery of the north coast of county Mayo. Take the road to Newport, Mulrany, through Curraun Peninsula, and on to the wonderful sights around Keel and Dooagh. Take the scenic coastal road, through uninhabited countryside, northwards to Bangor Erris.

Continue on to Belmullet, via the ravine of Glencastle, and then on to Blacksod Point. This journey gives a good idea of the extraordinary outline of the peninsula: its west coast exposed to the fury of the Atlantic storms, is completely bare of vegetation; while its east coast overlooks the landlocked inlet of Blacksod Bay. The Stone Age tombs and dwelling areas at Ceide Fields near Ballycastle are worth a visit before continuing on to the angling centres of Crossmolina and Pontoon, with views of Lough Conn. Return to Castlebar and see the Foxford Woollen Mills and overnight once again in Jennings Hotel before returning to Galway and Ross Lake House via Claremorris and Tuam.