Dear Traveller,

How do you signpost Connemara, one of the most mystical places on the planet? And how on earth do you convey the magnetic, mesmerising pull of this quintessentially Celtic corner of Ireland, its ethereal beauty and the spirit and warmth of the western people?

It is not an easy task – but I feel well-placed to be your guide as a descendant of the proud and ancient clan that gave its name to Joyce Country – the magnificent and rugged region between Lough Corrib and Killary Harbour.

My guidebook, consisting of seven journeys, provides a sprinkling of history and an insight into the lives of the extraordinary people who have lived here over the centuries. It is a pleasure for me to take you on journeys to my favourite off-the-beaten-track gems that the average tourist never sees, and to suggest places where you can enjoy afternoon tea, a creamy pint or a picnic on one of the many sandy beaches dotted along the coast.

What was once an isolated landscape ravaged by poverty has now become the destination for nature-lovers, mountain climbers, walkers and other sports enthusiasts. Excellent restaurants are in abundance, and the choice of accommodation ranges from simple bed-and-breakfasts to world-renowned luxury castles.

The following quote captures my feelings for this wild, majestic place:
And you feel that if God chose a place to reveal Himself it would be upon these western hills at sunset when the whole hushed world is tense with beauty and earth seems waiting for a revelation.

(In Search of Ireland by H.V. Morton)

The eighty-five years I’ve lived on this earth have been full of adventures but writing about Connemara has been the most rewarding, and it is my hope that in some small way these journeys will hold treasured memories for you.