The Connemara Hostel Top Things To Do!

• Drive some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery – The Connemara Loop (www.goconnemara.com)

• Enjoy some organised outdoor and adventure activity with the Killary Adventure Company (www.killaryadventure.com).

• Go walking or hiking on some of the best routes in North-west Europe. See a full list here (thanks to Go Connemara - www.goconnemara.com/tcl.htm)

• Scuba Diving - a popular and fascinating activity in this part of Connemara. You can get up close to some of the most diverse underwater wildlife in the world (www.scubadivewest.com)

• Bike one of the many nearby trails. Or go on a bike tour with West Ireland Cycling (www.westirelandcycling.com)

• Visit Kylemore Abbey, Victorian Walled Garden and Gothic Church (www.kylemoreabbey.com) former home of the Benedictine Order with a history spanning over 1,500 years.

• Visit Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre with a range of guided walks and dominated by the mighty Diamond Hill, it’s easy to spend a day in the park relaxing in the beauty of the Connemara landscape (www.connemaranationalpark.ie). The park spans some 2,957 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands, and some of the mountains within the perimeter are among the famous Twelve Bens.

• Day trip to Inishbofin Island,  famous for its beautiful unspoilt scenery, archaeological features such as the ruins of the 7th century St. Colman's Abbey, an abundance of plants and wildlife (www.inishbofin.com)

• Swim on Lettergesh, Glassilaun or one of the many other beautiful beaches on the Renvyle Peninsula and throughout Connemara. Lettergesh Beach is #16 on The Sunday Times recommendations for '20 secret beaches' in Ireland & the UK (May 2009).

• Take a cruise along the scenic Killary Fjord - Ireland’s only fjord (www.killarycruises.com) and watch out for the school of nearly 40 dolphins who have made the fjord their home.

• Enjoy some world-famous Connemara Lamb in a local restaurant, or buy your own to cook at Sleepzone Connemara! It can be roasted or eaten tapas-style, and for more recipe ideas watch this clip of McGeough's Connemara Fine Foods.

• Learn the words (or you may know them already!) to the famous French song 'Les Lacs du Connemara' (The Lakes of Connemara) by Michel Sardou - listen to the song here!

• Pick up your own copy of "Recipes from the Connemara Loop" for just €3.00 at Sleepzone Reception and try out some of the recipes in our kitchen!

• Visit Avoca Handweavers - located on the Clifden to Leenane road; Frommer's Guidebook says "The Connemara branch of the famous Wicklow weavers is in a lovely, isolated location, surrounded by colorful flower gardens. Inside are the Irish chain's trademark colorful woven clothes and blankets, as well as locally made marble souvenirs, pottery, jewelry, and music" (www.avoca.ie)