The north and west regions of Ireland present an ever changing vista of breathtaking panoramic views. In the east of Ulster, "the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea"; in the north the high plateau of the Glens of Antrim is broken by steep glens and plunging coastal cliffs with dramatic sea views; slightly further west precipitous columns of basalt rise sheer from the sea to create the structure often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world - the Giant's Causeway.
See the historic walls of Derry; explore the area west into County Donegal, a landscape of grave and mountainous beauty, russet-hued like its famous tweed. The 4,000 year old Grianan of Aileach (stone fort in the sun), 10,000 acres of the Glenveagh National Park (the largest in Ireland), Slieve League (the highest sea cliffs in Europe) and the longest coastline in Ireland made up of rocky headlands and sweeping sandy beaches. Meet Ireland's last-remaining King, Patsy Dan Macruairi from Tory Island, or interact with the locals in Ireland largest Gaeltacht (Irish Speaking area)... perhaps visit a pub or three - Leo's Tavern is a must, and a session in the company of Enya's father can be arranged.
In Counties Cavan, and Monaghan small rounded hills crop up all over the region sometimes standing alone, sometimes joined together in a hummocky jumble and sometimes sticking up as islands in the many lakes that speckle the landscape. These are drumlins, tear shaped humps up to half a mile long and 100 ft high unusual features left when the ice retreated 10,000 years ago. Two great rivers have sources in Cavan; the Erne, which begins its tortuous journey to the sea near Shercock, and Ireland's longest river, the Shannon, rises under Cuilcagh Mountain. Myth, legend, folklore and hero there is much to see in these historic border counties. Further south and into the province of Connaught, travel through Counties Leitrim and Roscommon which are internationally recognized as providing some of the best fishing grounds in Europe. Visit County Sligo, a favourite haunt and final resting place of the famous poet William Butler Yates, whose grave is located below the stark table top of Benbulbin, a mountain of haunting beauty.
In the south west of the REAL IRELAND region arecounties Mayo and Galway, where beautiful mountains drop down to a coastline of lace-like intricacy. Whitewashed cottages lie scattered along the shoreline, clinging to rare patches of fertile soil, their thatches lashed to their gables against the Atlantic storms. When the sea mists blanket the coast, the landscape reveals a new mysterious nature and the many prehistoric sites of the region take on an unworldly presence. Among this regions most celebrated beauty spots are Achill Island and the bleak Connemara Mountains which straddle Galway Bay. Popular attractions include the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, and the prehistoric fortress of Dun Aengus which stands proudly on the sea cliffs of Inismor, the largest of the Aran Islands.
