After leaving the southern regions of Ireland, we headed up North towards Galway and spent our final days of this journey exploring some of the phenomenal scenery in this region.

The city of Galway was lively and fun to explore on foot. Music and pubs are the prime attraction.

We took two phenomenal day trips out of Galway which got us into some pretty amazing landscapes on this part of the island. First we wandered through the stunning Connemara National Park, with it’s majestic mountains and fjords. I’ll share just a few of my favorite views from this trek!

I particularly enjoyed this stop at Kylemore Castle/Abbey and its Victorian Walled Gardens, what a beautiful spot. Originally built by a wealthy family, it was later sold to a Benedictine Abbey who fled Belgium during WWI. The nuns have significantly decreased in number and no longer live in the castle, but use it as a way to raise funds (through tours, great food, baked goods and other products they make).

The walled gardens were amazing and well worth a visit! Make sure to take the trek to walk through them.

Day 2’s trek took us to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher and through the rocky landscape called the Burren.