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Dunguaire Castle
Dunguaire Castle, stands on the 7th century stronghold of Guaire, the King of Connaught.It is only 3 minutes drive from Villa Maria B & B. It is open to visitors from April - September.It hosts Medieval Banquets, with entertainment based on song, poems and extracts from great Irish writers, twice nightly, subject to demand at 5.45pm and 8.45pm. Banquets can be arranged by Villa Maria on request.
Tickets for Dunguaire Castle banquets & sailing tickets for Ferry to Aran Islands can be obtained here at Villa Maria B&B.There are many attractions available in the area. Aillwee Caves, Poulnabrone and The Burren are all within 10 Km from Villa Maria.
Places of Interest
The Cliffs of Moher have been carefully preserved through time and stand "mighty and defiant" against the fierce Atlantic ocean on the county's west coast.
The Cliffs are one of the most celebrated features of the Irish coastline. Plunging 200m into the sea and stretching for five miles, the Cliffs of Moher are the most magnificent natural monuments and are home to puffins, cormorants and rare fossils. The Cliffs of Moher (the Great Wall of Thomond) and O'Brien's Tower, that stands out on a headland is evidence of the extent of the O'Brien influence on the history of the Celtic Tribes.
The Burren
To enjoy a day of exploration and scenery, a visit to The Burren is a must. The Buren is a limestone Karst region that is internationally renowned for its geological features, beautiful flora and archaeological remains. The word BURREN means 'rocky land' in Gaelic and few trees manage to grow in this desolate place, yet other plants thrive. The Burren region includes some wonderful rivers, ancient sites, peaceful lakes, towering cliffs and lush green valleys.
The Aran Islands
Take a step back in time and enjoy a visit to the Aran Islands. There are 3 islands, Inishmore (the large island), Inishmann (the middle island) and Inisheer (the eastern island), all lying in Galway Bay. Some time around 490, St. Enda founded a monastery on Inishmore and it was one of the first and one of the most important monasteries in the whole of Ireland. It was set on fire in 1020 and raided by the Northmen in 1081. Inishmore is the largest island and It has the most impressive piece of history in all Ireland -the great stone fort of Dun Aongus, on the edge of a cliff, which rises sheer from the sea, 91m below. These islands provides an insight into ancient island and promises some amazing panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Galway city
Enjoy the many fantastic shops and beautiful restaurants in this vibrant and colourful city. Why not plan your holiday around The Galway Arts Festivals and experience its magical parades and exciting nightlife. The capital of Connacht, Galway, is a rich is Irish heritage dating from medieval times.
Connemara
Capture on camera the amazing beauty of the countryside that presents an amazing variety of bog, moorland, lake and mountain scenery, Explore hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths and grassland.