County Clare

Head west to County Galway's fresh Atlantic shores. This is the home of Connemara – archetypal Ireland, with its peat bogs, white-painted crofts, breezy lakes and a rocky mountains. Make your base at coastal Clifden, set against a mountain backdrop.

Not far away, Roundstone is a little fishing village with a pretty harbour and some good pubs. Galway City is worth a visit for its street entertainment and September Oyster Festival, not to mention scores of congenial pubs.

County Clare's dramatic Cliffs of Moher are second to none and exhilarating to climb. You can also tour the rocky Burren region, check out the Aillwee caves at Ballyvaughan  or simply hone your swing at the world class Lahinch and Doonbeg golf courses. There are miles of sandy beaches for sunning and surfing, and the Aran islands are close enough for a fascinating day out.