Top 10 Small Towns in the West of Ireland

The West of Ireland is an enchanting place filled with colorful towns and villages, long stretches of stunning coastline, soaring sea cliffs, and craggy countryside that boasts a uniquely desolate beauty and a vibrant cultural heritage rich in tradition. Quaint villages are a quintessential part of the Irish landscape. While the bustle of city life with upscale shopping and restaurants is attractive, you will find the real Ireland out in the countryside. Here are top 10 can’t miss small towns and villages in the West of Ireland.

1. Adare: Renowned as Ireland's prettiest village, Adare is a major tourist destination with many tours of Ireland stopping off in Adare. The local heritage centre gives a deep insight into the history of the village and also hosts a number of craft shops and a restaurant. Adare is a very popular wedding and conference venue and has recently become a major golf destination hosting the Irish Open at the Adare Manor Hotel &Golf Resort.

2. Ennis: With narrow streets and quaint shops in every nook (we're not sure what a cranny is so we're avoiding mentioning them), Ennis is, perhaps, the most endearing town in Ireland. When you visit Ennis, walk along Market Street, away from the main drag and duck into the alley cutting over to the river. You will find a number of out-of-the-way shops where normally only the Irish shop.

3. Cong: The village is small and intimate with excellent pubs. Also, there is an authentic famine house nearby and the ruins of an old abbey right in the town. Adjacent to the abbey, you will find a path along the river where you can stroll through one of the loveliest forests in Ireland.

4. Bundoran: Popularly known as Ireland’s Premier Seaside Resort, is located on the shores of the broad Atlantic Ocean against a backdrop of the majestic Ben Bulben mountain range. With a wealth of activities and facilities on offer to suit all tastes, Bundoran is widely recognised as a ‘hub’ destination to discover and experience the richness of our local and surrounding areas.

5. Donegal Town: Donegal Town is charming and picturesque, with a small harbour where the Eske River enters Donegal Bay and a pleasant town centre, known as the Diamond. The Diamond is a spacious, open pedestrian area surrounded by hotels, shops, pubs, restaurants and coffee houses. It is the fifth largest town in the county.

6. Castlebar: A busy bustling Market Town and is one of the fastest growing towns in the country. Castlebar was originally a garrison town and derives its name from a settlement around the de Barra Castle in the 11th century. A town steeped in history with one of the oldest buildings being Christchurch whose foundation stones were laid in 1739. Since then it has featured in the battles of 1798 and has been the birthplace of many a famous son.

7. Killybegs: Killybegs is a bustling town where local and foreign ships tower over the quayside. With large numbers of both trendy and modern restaurants and the more traditional pubs, Killybegs offers the visitor a variety of good food, drink and entertainment.

8. Ardara: Ardara is a designated Heritage Town and also a well known centre for the manufacture of Donegal homespun tweeds. The area boasts a thriving tourist trade and social scene, and has been dubbed "The Festival Capital of Donegal".

9. Clifden: If you’re thinking of traveling to the West of Ireland, and in particular Connemara, well then you’ve come to the right place. Clifden is the perfect base to explore Connemara’s rich landscape and heritage.

10. Killaloe: Killaloe, in County Clare is a network of charming narrow streets, flanked by old shops and houses, that climb up the steep hillside and look down over the 13th century cathedral.

Visit these quaint Irish villages and towns on Celtic Tours West of Ireland Tour. With our West of Ireland tour, you will travel back in time as you visit Achill Island with its wild views of mountains and beaches, experience the highest cliffs in Europe at Slieve League and see the traditional fabric arts of Ireland in motion: spinning, knitting and weaving as we travel along the scenic routes of Adara and Glenties. Visit our website to book your West of Ireland tour today!

Castle Hotels in Ireland

Castle hotels in Ireland offer visitors the chance to take a magical step into Ireland’s past, with all the amenities you expect from a luxury hotel with modern conveniences. With many castle hotels in Ireland to choose from, here is a short list of our favorites.

Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
The 4 Star Abbey Hotel County Roscommon, is a charming 18th Century Manor House Castle Hotel in Ireland, set idyllically on it's own private grounds and gardens. The accommodation at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon Town, County Roscommon has been individually designed and decorated to an exceptional standard, giving a classically luxurious edge.

Adare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland
Situated in the heart of Adare Village in County Limerick, Ireland – Adare Manor, a luxury Five Star Hotel and Golf Resort is both steeped in history and surrounded by medieval ruins. Far removed from generic trappings of ordinary hotels, the Manor’s hallmark experience offers unique accommodation, the best of contemporary food and an impeccable approach to hospitality that brings guests back, time and time again
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Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland
Dating back to 1228 and once the estate of the Guinness family, the luxurious 5 Star Ashford Castle first opened as a hotel in 1939.

Dromoland, County Clare, Ireland
With an extraordinary history stretching back to the 5th Century, the Dromoland Castle, was originally the ancestral home of one of the few families of Gaelic Royalty; direct descendants of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. Approached by a meandering drive that passes acres of magnificent lawns, this Irish 5 star luxury Castle Hotel overlooks its own Championship Golf Course and a glistening lake which commands the panoramic beauty of the surrounds.

Contarf Castle, County Dublin, Ireland
Clontarf Castle, reborn and redesigned, is the choice of interesting people the world over. Forget what time it is, Clontarf Castle Hotel is an imaginary world, no longer the past, not quite the future. When you arrive, time becomes yours.

Ballyseede Castle, Tralee, Ireland
Ballyseede Castle, Tralee Ireland, is an impressive building and has a history dating back to the 1590’s. Wonderfully transformed into a hotel in 1965, Ballyseede Castle offers 23 ensuite-bedrooms, three function rooms and beautiful reception rooms complimented by enchanting formal gardens.

Waterford Castle, County Waterford, Ireland
Situated on its own private Island, Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort offers luxurious Castle accommodation in Ireland. One of the leading luxury hotels in Ireland which boasts superb 4 star hotel facilities, you can enjoy the 18 hole Championship Golf Course in Waterford, or choose to stay in one of the Castle Gardens holiday homes.


Visit Celtic Tours website for more information about castle stays in Ireland.

Luxury for Less! Ireland Your Way - In Style!

Luxury for Less - Ireland your way - in Style!

Take advantage of our Super Sale Pricing on this

Luxury self-drive get-away to Ireland.

With three options for you to choose from:

Option 1- 1nt Dublin, 2 nts Galway, 2 nts Killarney, 1 nt Limerick
Option 2 - 2 nts Dublin, 2 nts Galway, 2 nts Killarney, 1 nt Limerick
Option 3 - 2 nts Dublin, 3 nts Killarney, 1 nt Limerick

With 4 and 5 star Luxury properties throughout!

Includes Standard Shift Car Rental with CDW & Location Service Fee!
(Car upgrades are available)

Land from $637 pp sharing twin - depending on the option selected
Airfare from your hometown can be added - using our Vacation Builder

Now is the time to enjoy the Luxury of Ireland - for Less! Visit Celtic Tours website for more information about this luxury vacation in Ireland

Please note, hotels are on a request basis and subject to availability at time of deposit. Blackout over bank holidays and rugby weekends apply.

Padua: Founded by a mythical Trojan, Immortalized by Shakespeare & Home to the “Saint of Miracles”

Founded by a mythical Trojan, Immortalized by Shakespeare and home to the “Saint of Miracles,” Padua is set amongst the shadows of Venice, in the historic Euganaean Hills. Boasting a picturesque network of arcaded streets, numerous bridges and large communal piazzas Padua is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe.

A good starting point for an exploration of Padua is the immense elliptical piazza and public garden, the Prato della Valle, one of the biggest such areas in Europe. The large garden at its center is surrounded by a moat, whose interior circumference is lined with 78 statues of Padua's most famous early citizens. The area is still much-used for concerts - and loud political demonstrations, both of which are regular events in Padua.

Another garden of interest is the Botanical Garden of Padova. Created in 1545 on the property of the Benedictine monks of St. Justine, the Botanical Garden of Padova is the oldest existing university botanical garden in the world and still contains an important collection of rare plants. The garden, affiliated with the University of Padua, currently covers roughly 22,000 square meters, and is known for its special collections and historical design.

The University of Padua was founded in, making it one of the oldest universities in continuous operation. Among the host of famous faculty and alumni to grace the university, Galileo taught in Padua from 1592 to 1610. The university is also famous for its anatomical theater, which is the oldest surviving permanent anatomical theater in Europe.

The most famous attraction in Padua, is St. Anthony’s Basilica. St. Anthony is known as the “Saint of Miracles” and for helping find lost items. The Basilica is guarded by Donatello’s “Gattamelata”. The largely Romanesque exterior features seven cupolas, two of which are pyramidal. The interior contains gorgeous 15th century marble carvings by artists such as Falconetto and Sansovino and bronze relief work at the altar by Donatello.

Less than 25 miles from Venice, Padua often offers a less expensive vacation for those interested in day-tripping to Venice. With several historic and cultural attractions, the oldest Botanic gardens in the world and a host of good restaurants, trattorias and cafes Padua provides a good base for Northern Italy holidays. It is also a featured stop on Celtic Tours Treasures of Italy tour.

Doge's Palace, Venice, Italy

When visiting Venice, you can’t miss a stop at Doge’s Palace. Centrally located off of St. Mark’s Square, on the Piazzetta, the Doge’s Palace was the seat of government for the former Venetian Republic.

The architectural style of the Doge's Palace is unique. Commonly referred to as Venetian Gothic, it adapts northern Gothic styles to Venetian geographic conditions. Tall arches, steeples and towers were prone to subsidence. Therefore, low squat structures, incorporating many typical and often exaggerated Gothic features, were preferred.

The eastern wing of the palace is connected by the Bridge of Sighs to the prison on the opposite bank of the Rio del Palazzo. The enclosed bridge was constructed around 1600, of white limestone and has windows with stone bars. It was Lord Byron who penned the famous name “The Bridge of Sighs” when he romantically recounted the sound of condemned prisoner’s sighs as it was their last view of Venice before their imprisonment. According to legend, lovers will be granted everlasting love and bliss if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge.

Visit the Doge’s Palace with Celtic Tours on our Treasures of Italy Tour. Tour the best of Italy with our Treasures of Italy Tour including Rome, Siena, Florence and Venice.

Venetian Glass

Known the world over, Venetian glass is colorful, elaborate and skill-fully made. Glass is one of the oldest forms of art, dating back to about 3500 years ago. Though it is unclear when, where and how the art of glass making was discovered, Venice became the glass making capital of the world in the 13th century.

When the Venetian Republic, fearing fire and destruction to the city’s mostly wood buildings, ordered the destruction of all the foundries within the city in 1291, all Venetian glass production was moved to Murano. Murano is often known as “the glass island”. Murano glass is still interwoven with Venetian glass. Murano’s glassmakers held a monopoly on quality glassmaking for centuries, developing or refining many technologies including crystalline glass, enameled glass, glass with threads of gold, multicolored glass, milk glass, and imitation gemstones made of glass. Today, the artisans of Murano are still employing these centuries-old techniques, crafting everything from contemporary art glass and glass jewelry to Murano glass chandeliers and wine stoppers.

Take a tour of a Glass Factory on your next Venice Vacation with Celtic Tours. On your Glass Factory Tour you will learn about the ancient art of glass-blowing, the amazing history of Venetian Glass and even make your own Venetian Glass to take home with you. This tour is included on our Treasures of Italy Tour, or you can add it on to your Venice City Stay Package.

Fountains of Siena

Step into the middle ages with a visit to Siena. The Tuscan hill town's magnificent cathedral, built in the 1200s, is a marvel of marble floors and astonishing artworks. In just about every part of Siena, there are fountains to sit by and admire.

Aqueducts and complex irrigation systems brought water into and around the city. Many fountains were built on what was once the outskirts of Siena; for use in cooking, drinking and in agriculture. With roofs that protected the water from pollution, Siena’s water was highly regarded and protected. Spend a relaxing day finding, savoring and photographing Siena’s diverse fountains.

Fonte Gaia: The Gaia Fountain is one of the most important works of the Italian 1400s and is both Gothic and Renaissance in style. Centrally located in Piazza del Campo, Fonte Gaia is considered to be "the queen of Sienese fountains”.

Fontebranda: The oldest, most impressive and famous fountain in Siena. Fontebranda is associated with the birth and early life of Saint Catherine. It was also cited by Dante in his Inferno. Today, Fontebranda is a site for outdoor concerts and dance performances during the summer.

Fonte d’Ovile: Fonte d'Ovile was built in 1260 to replace an earlier fountain. It began to decline in importance already by the end of the century with the construction of the Fonte Nuova, but is indeed worth visiting and admiring.

Fonte del Casato: Siena’s hidden fountain, built in a central area of city, a pleasant and unexpected surprise worth finding.

Fonte Nuova d'Ovile: Built in the Gothic style; it is striking for its distinct arches, and was built as the outlet for the bottino of the same name in order to bring water to Vallerozzi for industrial and agricultural uses.

Spend a relaxing day finding, savoring and photographing Siena’s diverse fountains. Visit Siena with Celtic Tours.