Lough Corrib

Lough Corrib, north of Galway Bay in the west of Ireland, is nearly 30mi/45km long but at some points no more than a few hundred yards wide. The lough is dotted with numerous islands - said to number 365 in all. They can be best seen from a viewpoint on high ground.

The scenery of Lough Corrib is of striking beauty. Round the green shores of the lough, with their clumps of trees and expanses of pastureland, are countless little bays, promontories and peninsulas, reaching out to the tiny islets which form a kind of continuation of the land. To the east of Lough Corrib is low-lying country, to the west are hills, and on the horizon to the north are the mountains of Connemara. The lough is linked with Lough Mask, to the north, by underground streams; and from its southern end flows the River Corrib, reaching the sea after a very short course. In summer excursion boats ply from Galway in the south to Cong in the north.

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Around Lough Corrib

The scenery of Lough Corrib is of striking beauty. It is possible to drive right around Lough Corrib, but with the exception of a short stretch at the north end of the lough the road runs at some distance from its shores. These can only be reached by certain access roads.

Moycullen

From Galway the N59 goes northwest to Moycullen (8mi/13km), a good fishing center.

Moycullen is a satellite town of Galway, most residents commute to the city for work or school. The town also has thriving basketball and football clubs.

Ross Lake

The road from Moycullen passes Ross Lake (good rough fishing), to Oughterard.

Oughterard

From Moycullen the road passes Ross Lake (good rough fishing), to Oughterard (nine-hole golf course), the "Gateway to Connemara." This little town, in a beautiful green setting on the River Owenriff, is a well-known fishing center.

Aughnanure Castle

3mi/5km southeast of Oughterard, on a rocky islet, stands Aughnanure Castle (1500; National Monument), a six-story tower house in an inner and an outer ward with round towers. The castle has been restored.

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Inchagoill

From Oughterard a boat can be taken to the picturesque island of Inchagoill, with the remains of two churches (both National Monuments). The smaller of the two dates from the fifth century, the other (12th C.; restored) is a good example of Irish Romanesque architecture.

The narrow road which runs north along the shore of the lough is a dead end: to drive round the lake it is necessary to continue on the N59.

Cornamona

From the road intersection at Maam Cross the R336 leads north to Maam Bridge, from which the L101 runs east to Cornamona, a fishing center in a beautiful setting which is also a good base for walks and climbs in the hills to the west. Westward extend the mountains of Connemara, with Joyce's Country, and to the south, on either side of the long Dooras Peninsula, are the waters of Lough Corrib with its countless islands.

Castle Kirke

Southwest of Cornamona, occupying almost the whole of a little islet, rise the imposing ruins of Castle Kirke, also known as Hen's Castle (12th C.; National Monument), a large tower enclosed by curtain walls.

Clonbur

From Castle Kirke the road continues for 8mi/8km, skirting the lough for much of the way, to Clonbur, on the isthmus between the Loughs Mask and Corrib, with a fine view of Mount Gable to the west.

Headford - Connaught

The route along the R346 and R334, passes through Cong and in 14mi/23km through the little market town of Headford (take the signed road in the town).

Ross Abbey

1.5mi/2km northwest of Headford stand the extensive and interesting ruins of Ross Abbey, or Ross Errilly (National Monument), a Franciscan house founded about 1351 which was occupied until 1753. Most of the surviving remains, including the tower and the double south transept, date from the 16th C. The cloister has beautiful arcading. To the north of it is an inner court surrounded by conventual buildings, including a kitchen with a tank for fish, a bakery with its oven and the refectory with a reader's desk. Altogether this is one of the best preserved ruins of a Franciscan friary in Ireland.

Annaghdown

5mi/8km south of Headford a narrow road goes off on the right to Annaghdown, with the ruins of Annaghdown Abbey (National Monument). There are some remains of 12th C. work, but the principal church ("Cathedral") and the conventual buildings are 15th C.