Ireland In a Weekend  

Or a day, with easy access to stunning scenery and culture hubs across the Emerald Isle from Galway City  

Ireland has bank holidays sprinkled throughout the year where team members have a 3-day weekend to rest and explore. Ireland has so much beauty and culture to offer, you can’t go wrong even with adventuring for a day trip on a normal weekend! Here are some ideas for a few of the places you can go. 

Dublin  

Looking to spend time in a bigger city?

The Irish Rail is an easy and quick way to spend a day or weekend in Dublin. You don’t want to miss visiting Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university. Housed there is The Book of Kells, a stunning 9th century Illuminated Manuscript containing the Four Gospels. The Long Room is an old library on Trinity’s campus that’s well worth a visit! St. Stephen’s Green Park is a lovely spot to walk, picnic, or people watch. Grafton Street in Dublin is known for its live street performers and you can almost always hear someone singing, while visiting the shops. The National Gallery of Ireland is a must-see for any art lovers, containing world-renowned art.  

Connemara  

Connemara is located in our very own backyard, in County Galway. Walk or bike along the Wild Atlantic Way, with trails like the Sky Road near Clifden town, or venture to nearby Connemara National Park to hike the Diamond Loop. Clifden is easy to get to, just take City Bus Route 923. Clifden town is very walkable and is a quaint small town with a handful of shops and local eateries. Kylemore Abbey has gorgeous views of the wild Connemara mountains and a Connemara ponies, if you’re lucky, as well as a famous walled garden. You might see (or hear) Benedictine nuns praying while you tour the grounds. Connemara is also home to Killary Fjord, Ireland’s only Fjord!  

Cliffs of Moher  

When you think of Ireland, there’s a good chance you’re picturing the Cliffs of Moher. These majestic cliffs are one of the top tourist destinations on the Emerald Isle, according to Ireland.com. Located only about an hour from Galway City! The towering cliffs, sea spray, view of the Aran Islands, and Puffins (if you go from late April to early August) are easily enjoyed in a day trip. Galway Tour Company is an easy and stress-free way to spend time contemplating the Cliffs of Moher. They also have tours to areas like the Burren, the Aran Islands, and Connemara that are wonderful options for sightseeing without much planning required!  

Limerick 

Limerick is a city full of history and has some beautiful architecture. St. Patrick visited there, and it was even the site of a Viking settlement in the 10th century! It’s medieval cathedral, St. Mary’s, is a very popular sight in Limerick, along with St.John’s Castle on the River Shannon. Between Limerick and Galway is the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. It boasts of being the most authentic and complete castle in Ireland and has a folk park, with a “living village” to explore Irish culture through the years. You can even have an authentic medieval dinner here! Limerick is only a 1.5 hour bus ride from Galway City; it’s perfect for a day trip!  

Westport  

Tucked between the very Irish and very famous mountain, Croagh Patrick, and Clew Bay in County Mayo, Westport is a charming town with the Great Western Greenway biking trail, a host of traditional Irish live music sessions, and colorful buildings. Just take Bus Eireann Route 456 from Galway to Castlebar and get off in Westport! From here, you can also plan to hike Croagh Patrick, which is a traditional hike that follows a story about Saint Patrick having worshipped on the mountain. While many wear shoes, some undertake it barefoot as part of a personal pilgrimage journey! 

Life in Galway City is itself a treasure trove of beauty and culture, but these nearby places are pretty great, too!