The Galway peninsula of Renvyle stretches out from Ireland’s western coastline as if it longs to reach across the Atlantic.
Stretching out from Ireland’s western coastline, as if it longs to reach across the water, Renvyle Peninsula is as far removed from city life as a place could be.
Taking in Derryinver Quay, Ballinakill Harbour, and the towns of Letterfrack and Recess, it is a place of natural peace thanks to its protected place on the northern edge of County Galway.
A popular destination for those interested in sea life and all activities that come with it, it boasts stretches of sandy beaches, safe for swimming and diving as well as sea fishing. It has its own adventure center, aquarium, maritime museum and seaside parks. In this part of the world, Irish hospitality is at its best, too, with welcoming bars, warming hotels and bed and breakfasts as well as plenty of camping spots.
Renvyle Beach, County Galway.
You may have seen parts of Renvyle before, without even knowing it, and certainly, you will have read from many authors and poets who have been inspired by its beauty.
William Butler Yeats, Oliver St. John Gogarty and Oscar Wilde all credited this coastline as inspiring some of their great works, while the romance of scenery was immortalized in The Field.
Such scenes have remained unspoiled and unchanged in this part of the world, with ancient remains, castles and glorious Kylemore Abbey all reminders of the incredibly rich history that lies in its hills.
The stunning Kylemore Abbey.
Kylemore Abbey is the monastic home of the Benedictine Order of nuns in Ireland, and up until the 1990s was a prestigious boarding school for girls.
With its own Gothic church, immaculate Victorian Walled Gardens and preserved rooms, restored in intricate detail to its former glory when wealthy Henrys ran property in the late 1800s.
Getting to Renvyle
There is no other way to get to this westerly peninsula other than by car and roads are typically winding and undulating. This makes for the most spectacular of scenery, of course, and we highly recommend taking your time getting there. Soak up as much of Connemara National Park as you can while you do.
From Dublin or Cork, allow yourself a good four and a half hours, while the peninsula lies an hour and a half north of Galway.
* Originally published in July 2013 in Ireland of the Welcomes, updated in Nov 2023.
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