Ireland: Connemara & Galway Bay

Lake-studded peatlands, emerald mountains, and virgin beaches render Ireland ideal for walking,
especially along the mountainous west coast of Connemara and surrounding Galway Bay. The Irish
respect the natural world. Their culture is tribal in origin, Gaelic in tongue, and monastic in religion. The town land of Sheeauns, for example, means “fairy hills” in Gaelic. This superstition has protected the ancient site (heavy activity would have angered the fairies), and you reap the benefits by walking through a beautifully preserved landscape.
    The country’s topography, however, does not solely constitute the magnificence of this excursion. Its true crowning glory is the Irish spirit: ebullient and witty, life-affirming, and infectious. What else would you expect from a country whose national symbol is the harp? Encounters with the Irish are events in themselves—whether it’s a clever quip in passing or a philosophical discussion over stout in a pub.