12 of the most breathtaking views in the province of Connacht, Ireland

IRELAND IS one beautiful country.

Whether it's miles of green fields and forests stretched out before you; the city's ancient walls and castles cast in orange light at dusk, or a series of islands standing proudly in the wild Atlantic ocean, every visitor to Ireland comes away completely in awe of the country's breathtaking beauty.

If we tried to list every gorgeous view in Ireland we'd be here forever, so we at the Irish Post have decided to break it down by province.

We've already covered Munster and Leinster, now get ready to explore the counties of Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Leitrim and Roscommon as we cover the province of Connacht.

 

1 Sky Road, Connemara, Galway

View this post on Instagram

Skyroad, Connemara #skyroad #skyroadconnemara #connemara #skyroadclifden #clifden #cleggan #irelandcalling #ireland #thisisireland #ireland🇮🇪 #wildatlanticway #countygalway #galway #galwaycounty #beautifulirishlandscape #beautifulirishnature #oceanatlantic #oceanatlantique #atlanticocean #nofilter #ireland_gram #discoverireland #travelireland #visitireland #connemaraireland #visitgalway

A post shared by David Col1 (@col1d) on Jul 28, 2019 at 3:22pm PDT

2 In fact, everywhere in Connemara

View this post on Instagram

Du sommet de Diamond Hill dans le Connemara, la vue sur le Wild Atlantic Way est imprenable ! 😍 Un grand merci à @thibaud_bordereaux (@inzoom.photo) pour cette photo ! Partagez vos photos avec #InstantIrlande . . . #irlande #connemara #voyage #vacances #rando #randonnée #paysage #nature

A post shared by Tourisme Irlandais (@tourismeirlandais) on Sep 10, 2019 at 2:30am PDT

View this post on Instagram

If ever there was a postcard pic, this is surely one of them! The colourful, wild & dramatic #Connemara region around #KillaryFjord & #Leenane is showing off again! 😁 Cheers to @suka.nanas for this capture!👌😍🐑😎 #PostcardPic #EweBetterBelieveIt #DramaticScenery #Colourful #ShowOff #Killary #Leenaun #Conamara #Galway #Ireland #VisitGalway

A post shared by Visit Galway (@visitgalway) on Sep 11, 2019 at 2:57am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Follow @amazing.ireland for the best Irish content every day! . . 📷 @liklicz . . #amazingireland #ireland #irlanda #wildwest #irelandphotography #ireland_gram #ireland_insta #irelandofficial #ireland_daily #connemara #travelireland #visitireland #vscoireland #ig_ireland #travel #inspireland #earthoffical #earthfocus #wildatlanticway #instaireland #irelandtravel #ирландия #ирландиявдуше #удивительнаяирландия #irish

A post shared by Amazing 🇮🇪 Ireland (@amazing.ireland) on Sep 11, 2019 at 12:48am PDT

3 Benbulben, Sligo

View this post on Instagram

Road to Benbulben and a quaint old Irish cottage #wildatlanticway #sligo #benbulben #Ireland #travel #explore #picoftheday #wanderlust #instatravel #travelgram #travelphotography #discoverireland #view #roadtrip #irelandswildwest #loveireland #Ireland #rteweathercomp
#HUAWEICREATIVES #IRELAND #TRAVEL

A post shared by John Carver (@carverphoto) on Mar 16, 2019 at 11:37am PDT

View this post on Instagram

What do think of @carverphoto image of Classiebawn Castle. I love how you’ve put this image together, I’ve always been a big fan of it ever since you brought it to the people’s eyes! It’s so good thanks for letting me feature it here. . Image chosen by @kiwi_exploring_ireland and if you would like to be our next feature tag us @thefullirish_ or #the_full_irish_ . #ireland_gram #éire #welivetoexplore #artofvisuals #viewireland #icu_ireland #inspireland #ireland_travel #classiebawncastle #sligo #mullaghmore #wildatlanticway #discoverireland #castle #travel #visitireland #countysligo #landscapephotography #benbulben #irlanda #wanderireland

A post shared by The Full Irish (@the_full_irish_) on May 10, 2019 at 2:29pm PDT

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2J63F4iAxH/

4 Keem Bay, Achill Island, Mayo

https://www.instagram.com/p/B00-7fYDvQn/

View this post on Instagram

The most beautiful beach in the world. Hidden away amongst the cliffs, the drive and reveal are breathtaking. An absolute must for anyone visiting Ireland.

A post shared by Up in the Eire (@upintheeire) on Jul 15, 2019 at 12:23pm PDT

5 Croagh Patrick, Mayo

View this post on Instagram

😍 WHAT A VIEW! Who’s adding Croagh Patrick to their bucket list? 📸: @bic2400

A post shared by The Irish Post (@theirishpost) on Apr 16, 2019 at 7:14am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Clew Bay in all its glory 😍😍 One island for every day of the year! No need to travel half way around the world for amazing views. Just get yourself to Mayo. You just have to climb a wee mountain to get to this point but it's soooooo worth it. Would you do a four hour hike for these views? Well it took me five actually but who's counting! 😂🐢

A post shared by Kerry Kissane (@allaroundireland) on Sep 6, 2019 at 3:27am PDT

6 Glencar Lough, Leitrim

View this post on Instagram

Where the wandering water gushes From the hills above Glen-Car, In pools among the rushes That scarce could bathe a star, We seek for slumbering trout And whispering in their ears Give them unquiet dreams; Leaning softly out From ferns that drop their tears Over the young streams. Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand, For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand —————————-/ WB Yeats #sligotourism #reflection #wildatlanticway #wawpics #glencarlake #sligowhoknew #sligostories #sligo #littlepiecesofireland #wbyeats

A post shared by Eddie Lee (@sligobass) on Sep 10, 2019 at 12:55am PDT

View this post on Instagram

This was probably my favorite waterfall in Ireland and this quote seems to sum it up perfectly. "Where the wandering water gushes From the hills above Glen-Car, In pools among the rushes That scarce could bathe a star... Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand, For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." THE STOLEN CHILD by W.B. YEATS #Glencar #waterfall #scotland #unlostandunsafe

A post shared by Matt Meshey (@unlostandunsafe) on Nov 2, 2015 at 12:23pm PST

7 Slieve Bawn, Roscommon

View this post on Instagram

Beautiful view from Slieve Bawn mountain in County Roscommon, Ireland. Where the mountain lies between Strokestown and Ballyleague. #ireland #ipsubmit🍀 #ipsubmit #discoverireland #eire #strokestown #slievebawn #travelireland #irelandtravel #lovindotie #tourismireland #visitroscommon #visitireland #ireland_gram #irelanddaily #countyroscommon #ballyleague #irelandcollective #connscameras #postcard_from_ireland #earthporn @earthporm #discoverroscommonirl @roscommon.ie @discoverroscommonirl #irelandshiddenheartlands

A post shared by jen naraga-kearns (@jennaragakearns) on Jul 31, 2019 at 7:35am PDT

View this post on Instagram

View from Slieve Bawn one of the highest mountains in Co. Roscommon ⛰️ #slievebawn #mountain #sunset #eveningwalk #windmill #countyroscommon #forest #roscommonwalks #góra #spacer #zachodslonca #niebo #chmury #beautifulireland

A post shared by Magdalena Klimczak (@magdainireland7) on Jul 6, 2019 at 2:13pm PDT

8 Seltannasaggart, Roscommon

View this post on Instagram

#Seltannasaggart #mountain looking onto #loughallen #arigna #mines #roscommon #mountains #lakes #cloudyskies #summerevenings #longwalks #nature #ireland

A post shared by Mary Beston (@marybeston) on Jun 9, 2015 at 7:06am PDT

9 Tullaghan, Leitrim

View this post on Instagram

Out and about with an old friend today touring lovely Leitrim. Nothing beats good days at home. And he carried the drink....Lamberts Energy Drink of course. Wouldn’t go out without it#lambertshealthcare#natureschoiceenniskillen#Tullaghan#bundoran#lovelyleitrim#cyclingireland#cycling#keepingfitandhealthy

A post shared by Nature’s Choice (@natureschoiceenniskillen) on Apr 23, 2019 at 8:08am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Why I love Leitrim, 🌞😊 #tullaghan #wildadlanticway #summer #westisbest #bluesky #clouds

A post shared by Paulsurf10 (@paulmcintyre10) on Jul 4, 2019 at 12:39pm PDT

10 Kylemore Abbey, Galway

View this post on Instagram

Ireland’s rugged west coast is dotted with castles, islands, pubs, and Victorian estates, like @kylemoreabbey. Get our guide to the perfect way to spend a day in County Galway — link in bio.🔗 [📸 @frenchieyankee]

A post shared by Departures (@departuresmag) on Aug 13, 2019 at 4:31pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

07.09.2019 // Connemara, Ireland Irish countryside anyone?

A post shared by Jan Go (@go_intimidating) on Sep 10, 2019 at 8:46am PDT

11 The Long Walk, Galway City

View this post on Instagram

The Long Walk Galway...shorter than you’d think. . #lovegalway #galway #thelongwalk #galwaytourism #travel #galwaycity #tourism #tourismireland #galwayireland #photosofireland #ireland #wildatlanticway #connemara

A post shared by 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 (@galwaytourism) on Jul 5, 2019 at 1:55pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

#thelongwalk #reflection #longwalk #seagulls #clouds #claddagh #visitgalway #thisisgalway #galway2020 #lovingalway #galwaycity #galway #ireland #latinquartergalway #icu_ireland #ireland_inspires #ireland_in_pictures #ireland_passion #galwaybay #irishcentral #irelandtourism #picturesofireland

A post shared by Johanna Ní Mháille (@johannah_ni_mhaille) on Sep 6, 2019 at 9:48am PDT

12 Clew Bay, Mayo

View this post on Instagram

“Clew Bay” Clew Bay is one of Ireland’s finest areas of natural beauty. The bay with surrounding mountains & all of its small islands are stretched across such a large scale. This makes it challenging to capture its entirety in one single photo. For Miles I travelled up, down & across this bay for 2 days capturing various angles but continually found it difficult to fit everything into frame. This particular angle was captured at the base of ‘Croagh Patrick’ Mountain looking north towards Achill Island. To squeeze all these details in, I captured multiple photos & stitched them all together into this one final panoramic photo. I hope it shows you the true scale & beauty of Clew Bay. According to tradition Clew Bay has 365 islands, one for each day of the year. It's swarm of Islands (drumlins) are unlike anything else found in western Europe. These small islands are called ‘drowned drumlins’. They are elongated steep-sided hills (sometimes described as whale-backed) that were formed during our last ice age 12 thousand years ago when the glaciers started to melt & slide into the sea. They carved up & pushed the rocky sediment off the landscape which gathered in wave like patterned mounds on the mouth of Clew Bay creating these unique islands 🏝 The largest of these is Clare Island, which is famously known as the home of the “Pirate Queen” Grace O’Malley. This 16th-century heroine attacked & plundered countless ships passing through this area. Clare island guards the entrance to the sheltered bay & today is home to 130 people. Most of the others smaller islands in the bay are mainly uninhabited. Although a few brave souls still cling to the age-old tradition of living on a small island all year round. Can you just imagine living off the grid & alone on one of these islands? Sheer bliss! 😍

A post shared by Gareth Wray (@garethwrayphotography) on Sep 1, 2019 at 5:58am PDT

View this post on Instagram

The Spanish Armada view point offers exceptional views south across Clew Bay and south west to Clare Island (pictured). It is one of the lay-bys along the Clew Bay coastal road, on Currane Peninsula. A plaque was erected to commemorate the 26-gun ship San Nicolas Prodaneli, carryng 355 men, and El Gran Grin, both of which sank at the mouth of Clew Bay at Toorglass in 1588. It was thought that only sixteen sailors survived.

A post shared by Up in the Eire (@upintheeire) on Aug 8, 2019 at 11:06am PDT

View this post on Instagram

@ggunderson shows us what it looks like when you bike to work on an Irish island. Did you participate in #BikeToWorkDay today? . . . . #stellerstories #loveireland #digitalireland #visitireland #irlanda #irlande #instaireland #ClareIsland #biketowork #irelandtravel

A post shared by Steller | Share your world! (@stellerstories) on May 17, 2019 at 9:22am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Newport - Clew Bay - Clare Island . https://m.facebook.com/aerialphotographymayo/ . Real estate photography, Outdoor wedding photography. Prints available. Message us for more info. . #newport #clewbay #clareisland #countymayo #county #sky #clouds #countymayoireland #discovermayo #drone #dji #djispark #mayotourism #tourismwestcoast #dronephotography #picoftheday #photooftheday #aerialshots #irishpassion #wildatlanticway #irishphotography #bestirelandpics #loves_mayo

A post shared by Aerial Photography Mayo (@aerial_photography_mayo) on Mar 4, 2019 at 10:15am PST