Camping on public land is usually strictly forbidden but again, if are discreet, considerate and leave no trace it is unlikely that you will be moved. This is the reason why wild camping continues to attract a growing number of enthusiasts. Youll be treated to incredible views of the Aughrus peninsula and the crashing Atlantic ocean that surrounds you as you pitch your tent. The Northern Ireland Road Trip: 5 Days Exploring Antrim And Down (Full Itinerary), This Treehouse In West Cork Comes With A Hot Tub. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Omey Island is a tidal island that is only accessible via a sand bridge during certain parts of the day. Co. Galway, ), because of the number of rare and important plants and insect life to be found including unusual staghorn beetles. Wild Camping in Ireland: The Top 14 Spots These spots are a little better known but no less scenic and beautiful for it. In her new book on Omey, Dr Heather Greer explores the origins of Omey as an island - its native rock types, dominated by the 422 million years old Omey granite (among the oldest in Connemara) and by much older Dalradian psammite rock peppering the west and south of the island, dating from around 750 million years ago. Omey Island is a designated Special Area of Conservation (S.A.C. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Neverforget to bring along the following gear: A Tent:There is always a lot of debate over the best tent or shelter. Whelan was a colourful figure who was well-known in the area. it is an island of pink granite covered by sand dunes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. On a recent trip to the west of Ireland we left the busy streets of Clifden behind and motored on out to the Sky Road loop. on the island, just a very quiet lane and lots of unspoilt beaches, rabbits. With Connemara on our doorstep, beautiful forests and lakes to explore in the east of the county and the unique Burren region to the south, the only challenge youll have is deciding which direction to head for. If you choose to wild camp, you can also escape the hustle and bustle of civilisation, while those who prefer their luxuries can go glamping in a fully-furnished bell tent. The island is connected to the main land by a beach. A description of the ancient saint who built his monastery on the island was included- and a description of when and how it was excavated. If you happen to be arriving during the early spring or late autumn, be sure to bring the appropriate clothing; this area is entirely exposed to the elements. If in doubt, you can also ask in Sweeneys pub in Claddaghduff for advice before setting off. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. We had only been on the small island for about 25 minutes but when we reached our beach to drive to the mainland the sea was lapping against the markers and we had no choice but to wait for the next 4 hours to drive back. Watch the tides, you have a couple of hours either side of low tide to walk or drive across to the island. Kylemore Abbey is one of the most picturesque estates in Ireland. You may well have its beautiful mountains all to yourself if you decide to overnight here. Connemara Day Trip Including Leenane Village & Kylemore Abbey from Galway. This tidal island Omey can be reached at low tide via a wide sandy beach - either by foot or by car. Recommended. However, please note that it can become quite crowded during the summer. However, beware of potentially strong currents on occasion. 10 Recommended Family friendly campsites for your stay in Ireland Skip to content 087 795 9839 info@craicncampers.ie About Us Why Choose Us? Omey Island is a must-see destination for anybody visiting Connemara. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Check locally for the best time to make the crossing. We must have spent at least a couple of hours just wandering around and taking it all in. A more elusive but similar, sinister creature has apparently been. Shopping Here, you'll find everything from hike and drive guides to funky places to stay and more! It's a walker's paradise throughout and is really a series picture-postcard settings. Just ten minutes from Clifden town, Actons is located beside the local village of Claddaghduff on a safe, white, sandy, private beach in walking distance to the stunning tidal island of Omey. During full tide, the water can rise up to your horses' elbows or right up to his withers, so timing your ride to Omey Island is key. Below we will look at Wild Camping that will help you have a lifetime experience, and these include what is wild camping is legal, what equipment will I need, and the best places to go Wild Camping in Ireland. The Glenregan is found along the Slieve Bloom Way and close to the foot of the nearby mountains. Connemara Day Trip Including Leenane Village and Kylemore Abbey from Galway, Galway to Connemara National Park Day Tour, Cliffs Of Moher Tour from Galway including Doolin Village, Full-Day Private Connemara Tour by Electric Fat Tyre Bike. Ideally located in Evie, west of Vishall Hill, this well-maintained site gives you a rustic camping experience surrounded by rural Orkney farmland. Having said this, others wish to pit themselves against the environment by testing their bushcraft skills. Private Guided Walking Tour of Omey Island in Connemara. In the early seventh century, St Feichin founded an important monastic settlement on Omey Island and the ruins of St Feichins Church can be seen not far from the shore on the mainland side. It is a fisherman's paradise with rods On the edge of Europe and beside the Atlantic Ocean, Connemara Caravan and Camping Park offers a wide range of facilities and local attractions guaranteed to make your holiday one Curraghduff Farm is a small alpaca farm near Oughterard, County Galway, run by a family. Well, these cattle were going home too - except they had to wait for low tide. Operated on a sustainable, green, environmental & ethical basis, our campsite is in harmony with nature. There is a road running across the island from Omey Strand to the Atlantic shore. 6 Today, Omey Island is teeming with wildlife and contains a wide array of flora and fauna. Wild camping spots in Fermanagh. If you prefer to pitch a tent, there are some nice spots at the head of the Ben Crom Reservoir too. Top ways to experience Omey Island and nearby attractions. I have visited Omey many times. STAY. Imagine turning a corner while following a street sign to someplace called Omey Island and sewing the road disapper in the ocean with a few signposts in the sea Watch out for tide timings.. it is worth going there and seeing the tide come in .. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. 1,093 Recommended Full-day Tours from $120.84 per adult FAQ Testimonials Home Campervans Blog Videos Contact Us 087 795 9839 Booking and Enquiries 10 Recommended Campsites to stay for Families You are here: Home Campervan Tips & Advice There can be a reluctance for landowners to let people camp on their land and a lot of publicly owned spaces prohibit camping, for both tents and campers/motorhome. The primary appeal of this location is that it overlooks the mirror-like waters of nearby Dingle Bay. its time to relax and immerse yourself within the magical landscape that makes Connemara such a unique place to visit. This area was one of the last to be provided with electricity, so it is off of the grid. The kids had a lot of fun running around the grass, boulders, and sand dunes. Cyclists, hikers and similar enthusiasts will often take advantage of this greater sense of tolerance. To reach this island we had to drive across a beach when the tide was out. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. He worked with actors like Paul Hogan on the set of Crocodile Dundee during his career. Some bushcrafters and wild campers prefer the idea of creating havens with tarps with natural resources instead of pitch your tent in wild camping spots. Anyone who is a fan of the maritime environment will love this next suggestion. Omey Island is a tidal island situated on the western edge of Connemara in County Galway, Ireland near Claddaghduff. A fire-starting device (such as a magnesium bar). Best to go out on a falling tide to maximise your time out there. The nearby Glennamong Ridge highlights this regions unapologetic wildness, so it is perfect if you have been hoping to get away from it all. Fully extinguish any campfires before you leave the site. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Operated on a sustainable, green, environmental & ethical basis, the campsite is in harmony with nature. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. See some Basking Sharks in Mayo 5. Phone: +353 (0) 95 44036 Mobile: +353 (0) 87 1267687 Email: actonsbeach@iol.ie Dream by the stream, Its good to be green! An open-air camping spot is found not far from the main trail. Actons eco-park offers campers eight hectares of Machair habitat biodiversity with unparalleled panoramic Atlantic seascape views. Referred to as The other Galway Races, they take place every year on the on the tidal flats at Omey Strand, Claddaghduff in Connemara. First up, youll be sleeping in a fully-furnished yurt, complete with a king-size bed, wood-burning stove, carpets and wooden furniture. Slovakia Wild camping is legal but forbidden in areas with a level three protection and above. Yes, there are a variety of accommodation options on the island and in the nearby area. Youll need to drive on the sand, so care is needed (see below). It really is a lovely place top walk around, especially on a fine day. You can also drive across if you want but a walk across the sand to the island and then a circuit of the island will take you less than a couple of hours. Impassable during high tide, the signposted route along the tidal sands of Omey Strand reveals itself as the only access to the island when the sea recedes. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Additionally, the eco-site is located on a certified organic family farm both of which prides itself on sustainability. Some wild campers will arrive during the summer to take advantage of the nearby waters. Travelling across the wide expanse of firm sand beach makes for an unforgettable experience. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Omey is a tidal Island in Connemara off the coast of Galway in the west of Ireland.From the mainland at Claddaghduff the island is inconspicuous and almost hidden. You can also rent a tipi tent from them for something really unique. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Prices vary depending on the season (low / high). However, it is the regions primary burial ground, using an ancient burial ground associated with St Brendan. The scenic 16km Sky Road offers an incredibly stunning view of the Connemara region. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Hikers, bicyclists and canoeists have all flocked to this location thanks to its natural beauty as well as its spectacular forest views. Camping can be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the great outdoors around Galway. Notwithstanding our failure to take on the adventure- this is a special place which would be lovely in summer. Children will love feeding the animals at the on-site farm and petting the resident rabbits and goats. Its location is fabulous, too spectacular scenery and star-gazing at night, with activities on tap nearby, from walking and cycling to kayaking and coasteering. Understanding the Omey Island tide times in advance of your visit, as weve mentioned, is reeeeeeally important. A visit to Omey Island in Galway is one of the most overlooked things to do in Connemara. Pack your own bivvy bag and everything you need to stay comfortable. It is possible to drive or walk across to the island at low tide. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. . The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Accommodation Located upon the Iveragh Peninsulas shores, tranquil dunes and calm waters will make the perfect backdrops for your wild camping experience. Interesting experience with the tides, and fantastic scenery. Located on Eagle Point peninsula, the campsite is surrounded by water and has boats available to hire for practicing your paddling on the calm water. You can also drive across onto the island (again, see above info on reading the Omey Island tide times). There was no clear road or bridge however it is possible to pass once the tide is out, there is signs to guide the driver to and from the island. Get directions on Google Maps Contact details Claddaghduff,Clifden,Co Galway What's nearby Experience as part of Private Guided Walking Tour of Omey Island in Connemara Walking Tours from $693.99 per group (up to 15) Connemara Day Trip from Galway: Cong and the Kylemore Abbey 316 Recommended Full-day Tours from $60.42 per adult From Galway: Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher including Cliffs of Moher cruise. During the summer months the island is covered in wild flowers including salt-tolerant alpine, colourful shore plants and wild thyme. Omey Island 71 Reviews #1 of 1 things to do in Claddaghduff Nature & Parks, Islands Claddaghduff, Ireland Save Private Guided Walking Tour of Omey Island in Connemara 0 reviews Book in advance from $434.95 per adult Check availability View full product details TheMooks2017 Athlone 12 23 Camping Weekend Away with Friends Review of Omey Island In this section, you can find everything you need can be broken down into two categories: essential gear to go Wild Camping and the equipment that may come in handy. Check local. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. It is also rare for midget insects to appear on site due to its coastal location. As always, ask permission if you are in doubt. There is one road snaking away to your left even you arrive on the beach, follow it and it leads past a curious lake in the centre of the island to a beautiful headland where people wild camp and there are lovely beaches there. Accessed via a tiny road just outside Feathard, the beach has great shelter from the elements thanks to the grassy cliffs that enclose the small cove. So there we were, heading back across to the mainland being led by a herd of cows! Clifden Anne McLoughlin's, +353 95 44779. Iceland Camping with no more than three tents is allowed on uncultivated ground for a single night, although the use of campsites is preferred. Two similar huts are located at Mucklagh and Mullacor. The race begins on Omey Strand with a 0.75-kilometer swim, which is then followed by a 24-kilometer cycle race, through Omeys wonderful scenic locations and finishes up with a 5-kilometer run. First piece of advice: if you're going to Omey Island bring a picnic just in case. Situated on the south side of the Loop Head Peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. John and Marion McDonagh's. Comfortable and well equipped 4-bedroom bungalow. Must see this bestiful bay. For a screen version of Shakespeares Macbeth, he also taught the late Peter OToole how to sword fight. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Then basically follow the beach/coast around to your right until you get to a stretch of sand you can walk across back to the mainland. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Located on Eagle Point peninsula, the campsite is surrounded by water and has boats available to hire for practicing your paddling on the calm water. If you just like coastal scenery and exploring, history and building sandcastles, then go visit Omey island just don't get caught by the tide, otherwise you are stuck for five hours at least bring sandwicheshey, always time for a picnic on the wild Atlantic way. However, never present yourself with overly tricky situations if you possess little experience. However, you will find Lough Tay not far from this amazing estate. You may well have this special spot all to yourselves so you can kick back, watch the sun go down and enjoy the rugged beauty of the Hook peninsula in blissful solitude. Often considered one of the best beaches in Ireland, you wont want to miss a visit to Dogs Bay Beach. We visited at sunset - which happily coincided with low tide, allowing us to walk across to the island. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. However, this is undoubtedly offset by its raw beauty and untamed personality. Toilets, Shower, Laundry, Small shop AND Bunk Room for 6 people available Bags & Camping Gear can be transported by arrangement. If you really want to find your inner explorer and wild side, there is nothing quite like camping in the wild. At the Edge of Connemara. If youre up for a hike, Diamond Hill offers an incredibly rewarding 7km loop walk. You can find freshwater streams here, and the site itself is located close to the Gleensk Viaduct. An interesting stop on the WAW, this island is reached via a sand causeway that is only accessible twice a day at low tide. Wild Camping Spots In Waterford. "Take a RWD car and make some donuts in the sand :)" Click hereto visittheir comprehensive website (note that it is actually called 'Clifden Camping and Caravan Park' - we mention this because the names of this and the above park are so similar!). As part of Scotland's access legislation, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act . Copyright Connemara.net - All Rights Reserved |. At night, the stargazing is fantastic. A charged mobile phone the emphasis is on charged here, as for the most part, even in the national parks, most wild camping spots will have no charging facilities. Just make sure you follow the wild camping code: pitch late and depart early . You can enjoy the area on foot or by car, with plenty of opportunities to take in the views. The last permanent resident passed away in 2017. This sense of isolation is balanced out by the Aughrus Peninsulas stunning vistas and the Atlantic Ocean itself. It can also help when your body temperature gets cold and wet, easily in a wild camp in Ireland. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The island is currently mostly uninhabited, with the exception of a few seasonal residents. The Corncrake have been nesting and breeding on Inishbofin for many years. It caters for tents, caravans and motor homes,but don't provide mobile home sites, or chalets. It's a stunning landscape with sand-dunes and rolling hills, a lake, boulders, grass, flowers, cows and rabbits. Hot showers, gated park and. Nestled amongst the sand dunes on the Western fringe of Connemara, County Galway. Frenchman's Beach, Inis Mr, Aran Islands, Ireland, Glann, Oughterard, Galway H91 R2Y7, Ireland, Upper Salthill Road, Galway City, Ireland, Salthill Caravan Camping, Galway City, H91 K856, Ireland, Ballyquirke, Moycullen, Co. Galway, Ireland, Galway International Oyster Festival 2023, Clifden Eco Beach Camping & Caravanning Park. Be sure to bring all of your own supplies with you (theres not much in the way of shops on the island) and check tide times before walking over. 336. Photo by Fishermanittiologico (Shutterstock). The sun rose at 7:25am and the sunset will be at 6:17pm. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Licensed & approved. Curraghduff Farm is a one-of-a-kind alpaca 2km from the scenic Roundstone village in Co. Galway, Gurteen Bay and Dogs Bay beaches are one of the biggest draws for visitors to Connemara when the sun is shining. O'Hallorans Caravan and Camping Park is a family camping grounds in Salthill, overlooking Galway Bay and on the city bus service (buses every 30 mins). If the tide begins to come in when youre on the island, youll be stranded there until it starts to go back out again. Wherever you go youll find a good range of camping options, from simply bringing your own tent and sleeping bag to hiring a large bell tent, yurt or caravan where you can relax in your very own double bed along and enjoy many of the other comforts you would only expect at home. Baginbun is also a great swimming spot, although the sea can be a little unpredictable around the Hook peninsula so approach the water with caution and watch out for strong currents and rips. This is why many choose to visit during the early autumn or the late spring. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Wild camping is about going off the beaten track and getting yourself out into the peaceful, empty and vast wilderness of Ireland to spend time truly alone with the world, away from the masses in caravan parks and campsites. The Pickaquoy Caravan And Camping Site is Orkney's largest camping park that could accommodate up to 80 pitches. The good news is that more remote locations (such as those associated with the northern and western portions of Ireland) tend to tolerate wild campers. We visited at sunset - which happily coincided with low tide, allowing us to walk across to the island. This unique tidal access island is situated along the wonderfully scenic Sky Road Loop near Claddaghduff which makes it an ideal place to make your base when exploring the plethora of attractions in the region. Keep in mind that open fires are prohibited due to the chances of high winds and dry brush.