Connemara and its mosaic of peat bogs, lakes and hills

Back on dry land, the route continues into the heart of Connemara, a majestic mosaic of peat bogs, glacial lakes and metamorphic mountains. Along the way, the neo-Gothic forms of Kylemore Abbey are reflected in the lake of the same name, framed by formal Victorian-style gardens. For those who enjoy walking, the paths leading up Diamond Hill, within Connemara National Park, offer sweeping views of the coastal inlets. Hospitality in this region finds one of its most distinctive expressions at the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, a castle set within a vast private estate where life is punctuated by salmon fishing on the adjacent river, walks in the woods and workshops dedicated to the artisanal processing of local yarns. Heading towards the more rugged coastline to Bunowen Pier, you’ll come across the Connemara Smokehouse, an organic establishment specialising in the hand-salting and slow smoking of fish using seasoned beech wood. Part of the international Food Économusée network, the facility is open for guided tours and tastings, a short distance from Dog’s Bay beach, famous for its pure white sand composed of fragments of foraminifera shells (small single-celled organisms). To explore the lesser-known corners of this coastline, the hands-on experience offered by the Secret Connemara tour is a useful resource for tailoring your itinerary.