County Galway - Environment<< Galway Homepage |
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| Here's a selection of Galway Environment. Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list. |
1. Islands |
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Aran IslandsCathy Ghoill , Co. GalwayThe earliest inhabitants are said to have been the Firbolgs, who, having escaped after the Battle of Moytura fled first to Meath. But they were not prepared to pay the exorbitant rents imposed upon themthere by Cairbre-Nia-Fer, King of Tara in the first century, A.D., and retired to Connacht where they were granted lands along the western seaboard, including the Aran Islands. They fortified themselves on the Islands, and called their fortresses after their chiefs Aengus, Eoghanacht and Eochla. The Firbolgs later lost the islands to the Eoghanacta of Munster. Some time around 490, St. Enda founded a monastery at Killeany on Inishmore, and many of the founders of other great Irish monasteries, such as St. Ciaran of Clonmacnois, St. Finnian of Moville and St. Jarlath of Tuam, came and studied under him. St. Enda's monastery was one of the first and one of the most important monasteries in the whole of Ireland. It was set on fire in 1020, raided by the Northmen in 1081 and its last recorded abbot died in 1400. Possibly some time in the 11th century, the O'Briens took possession of the island, which was plundered and burned by Sir John Darcy, Lord Justice of Ireland, in 1334. As and from about 1400 the O'Flahertys were laying claim to the islands, or at least to parts of them, and they succeeded in expelling the O'Briens in the 16th century. A Franciscan monastery was founded on Inishmore in the 15th century. Arkin's Castle was erected also on Inishmore in 1587 by John Rawson who had been granted the islands by Queen Elizabeth. The castle was probably occupied by the Cromwellian forces when they invaded the islands in 1651. The islands were garrisoned by the English after 1691. John Millington Synge drew some of his best literary inspiration for his plays from the people on the Aran Islands. Because of their comparative isolation, the islands have preserved a considerable amount of traditional Irish culture, which has been lost elsewhere, and to this day it is one of Ireland's last and strongest Irish-speaking areas. | |
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2. Mountains |
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Mount GableConnemara, Co. GalwayOne of the most beautiful and scenic mountain walks in Benlevy (Mount Gable) (1370 feet). It dominates the isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask and guards one of the major routes into Connemara from the east. The starting point for this walk is approximately 2km from the village of Clonbur.. | |
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3. National Parks |
Go to ALL National Parks in Galway |
Connemara National ParkCo. GalwaySituated in the heart of the West of Ireland, Connemara National Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths and grassland. The development of the Connemara landscape over 10,000 years is exhibited in the visitor centre with 3D models and large scale displays. Other facilities are an audio visual show, picnic areas, tea rooms and nature trails. Various activities are available in the Park including Nature Days for Children, Art in the Park, Lectures and Pony information sessions. | |
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