TOUR 05 - 10 Day Ultimate Ireland Small Group Tour – WED, 03 AUG 2022 – Day 4

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WED, 03 AUG 2022 – “Day 4: An Irish Fjord, Connemara National Park and picturesque Westport - We will ‘arise and go now’ through Yeats’ country before heading for Westport, nestled between the Carrowbeg river and in the shadow of Croagh Patrick. Connemara National Park is calling and The Lost Valley, a deserted famine village where the road literally runs out. As we plough through rugged Connemara, we’ll make for Kylemore Abbey, a working Benedictine abbey built on the grounds of an 18th century castle. It has had more than a few past lives and boasts an imposing position at the foot of Druchruach Mountain, overlooking Kylemore Lake. It’s onto Cilfden, ‘the Capital of Connemara’ for the night and it’s time to relax, as you’re officially on West of Ireland time. Why not shuck some Dooncastle oysters or devour a whole Cleggan crab while the stout is settling? Cock an ear and listen out for ‘the session’, (traditional music) coming out of the many pubs and settle yourself in. After the ceol agus craic (music and merriment) you could always wake up in an 18th century Castle, feeling like Royalty because you’ve the added option of staying in Ballynahinch castle. Estimated driving time: 4 hours Excluding stops” – Overnight Cilfden, Ireland

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Photos

Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden – Galway, Ireland
Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The abbey was founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I and since 2022 belongs to the English Benedictine Congregation.