Croagh Patrick (Hill of Saint Patrick) is renowned in Ireland as a place of pilgrimage, where many make the annual climb barefoot. There are no services in the area, adding to travellers’ suffering. Nearby is a monument to the 19th century Irish Famine and the ruin of Murrisk Abbey. Makes for a contemplative experience.

Kennys Book Shop and Art Gallery on High Street is a treat to visit. All the publications are Irish; the artists are usually local. Many photos of famous literary visitors are on the walls. Out the back exit of Kennys and across the road is Charlie Byrnes, a second-hand bookshop with extensive collections: history and literary fiction are good. On Shop Street is Easons, with international publications including daily newspapers.

Actually in County Galway, just 5 km north of Gort, Thor Ballylee is a 16th century tower which was the home of W.B. Yeats in the 1920s. Coole Park (house, nature reserve, picnic areas) also had strong literary connections in the early 20th century, frequented by Yeats, Casey, GB Shaw and others.

The food shops are so good that you will look for any excuse to eat al fresco: McDonaghs Fish Shop and Fish and Chips Bar; Sheridans Cheesemongers, Goyas Cakes, The Saturday Market for bread and grilled sausages, the French Bakery on Cornstore/Middle Street for bread and pastries, McCambridges on Shop Street for everything else.

The same Quay Street area has several of the best outlets for local and other Irish design. Judy Green: pottery; Design Ireland: furniture and furnishings; O’Mailles: woollens and tweeds. There are several more woollens, jewellery, craft shops in the area

The heart of bohemian Galway is around the Quay Street / Cross Street area (click on the Map button) with cafes, small restaurants, Galway’s oldest pubs, the medieval Kirwans Lane, the best design, pottery and woollens shops. At the north end is the 14th century St Nicholas Church and the Saturday market. At the south end is the River Corrib flowing into Galway Bay at the medieval Spanish Arch.

A monument to the pilot and navigator who flew from Newfoundland and landed here in June 1919. More impressive is the views from the monument. The actual landing site is further inland in bog: you can walk to it, but don’t try to drive down this track.

After Kylemore Abbey, you can continue north-eastward to Leenane and Killary Harbour, a really scenic area, with the Ashleigh Falls. There are cruises of the Killary area: try Connemara Sea Cruise (phone +353 91 566736) which departs from Nancys Point outside Leenane; or the Scenic and Wildlife Cruise (phone +353 95 43473) departs from the Sea Life Centre at Derryinver, near Letterfrack.

This is a really scenic area: take the N59 from Oughterard to Clifden and you pass through the Maam Valley, with Maamturk mountains to the north, Twelve Bens mountains to the west, and several lakes in bogland all around. You can also take a detour south to Ballynahinch Lake.

Very quiet holiday village with lovely sandy beaches.

A circular route west of Clifden, about 10 km, which provides marvellous views inland to Clifden and south across Connemara and the sea.

The middle island can be reached by boat from Inis Mor. Not as popular as the other islands, it is the most unspoilt (with only one pub!), although the number of ancient and medieval monuments shows it had a rich past. There is an 8km (5 mile) Aran Way walk which follows the island’s history.

Inis Mor is the largest of the three islands, and has the busy village of Kilronan at the harbour. The best way to see the island is to get a map from the Visitors Centre in Kilronan and then hire bicycles at the harbour. The most important sight is Dun Aengus, a pre-historic fort from 800 B.C. perched on the cliff-edge. Kilronan and Kilmurvey are busy in the evenings with traditional song and dance in the pubs. Although much of this is organised for the tourist now, you will often find a quiet pub suddenly transformed by an impromptu sean-nos (traditional Irish) noisy singing session.

The smallest of the three islands and closest to County Clare, it can be reached by boat from Doolin in Clare, or from the other Aran Islands. It is busier than Inis Meain, with several restaurants, pubs and guesthouses. Has a lovely sandy beach and many medieval ruins, which you can explore on a marked walk (about 10km / 6 miles).

Week full board £279.00-£285.00 Weekend Full board £105.00-£115.00 Midweek Full Board £129.00-£135.00 Public holiday weekends £135.00

Activity per session £20.00- £25.00 Activity per Day £38.00- £48.00

Week full board £175.00 Weekend Full board £84.00- £50.00 Public Holiday Weekends £100.00