Touring Scenic Ireland in 5 Nights

Rich in medieval heritage, yet oozing with contemporary style, Galway – Ireland’s fifth largest city – is one of the Emerald Isle’s most engaging destinations.

The city’s vibrant centre is hub of culture, visitors and locals – many of which continue to speak age-old Irish dialects – alike flock here to be part of various festivals and events that take place throughout the year; visit the interesting museums and galleries, such as Galway City Museum; and sample the famous ‘craic’ at traditional Irish pubs. Intertwined with the delights of modern Galway are remnants of medieval walls and centuries-old structures such as the Spanish Arch and St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church – the oldest medieval church still in use in Ireland – offering an insight into the city’s fascinating past.

Situated on the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way, Galway is also a gateway to Western Ireland’s spectacular coastal scenes. Within easy reach of the city is the picturesque seaside suburb of Salthill, well-worth visiting to stroll the long promenade and admire views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands, and sample locally-caught seafood, such as the area’s famous oysters, at your pick of the fantastic restaurants. Further afield, it’s possible to uncover the treasures of County Galway on day trips; the beautiful Connemara National Park and charming villages such as Spiddal and Roundstone are among the highlights.

Situated 6 Kilometres off the rugged west coast of Ireland, Clare Island, the 'Gem of the Western Isles', is a sight to behold as you sail by in the comfort of your Fred. Olsen ship. 

You'll be taken as close to the island as possible, slicing through the surrounding Atlantic Ocean waters, for unspoilt views of its nature-carved coastline and landscape, which is overlooked by the 465-metre-high peak of mighty Croaghmore Mountain. Amongst the scenes of verdant valleys, rolling hills and imposing cliffs, look out for the seabirds and other fauna that inhabit them, as well rare arctic-alpine flora, through your binoculars. 

The islands of Inishkea, situated off the coast of Ireland’s Mullet Peninsula along Wild Atlantic Way, are a collection of low-lying, golden-beach-framed desolate lands, named after the barnacle geese that migrate to the archipelago each winter.

Uninhabited since the 1930s, though some visitors still have holiday homes on the main islands, the only residents of Inishkea are their geese, other species of sea birds and large colonies of grey seals. As you sail by, have your binoculars to hand to look-out for the native wildlife, living freely amongst the islands’ beautiful scenery.

As you sail along the coast of Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way, beautiful Arranmore Island – situated off the rugged coast of County Donegal – comes into view and is a sight to behold.

Wild and somewhat untamed, with only small, charming towns and villages hinting at any sign of human inhabitation here, Arranmore boasts gorgeous countryside landscapes and mile-upon-mile of golden sand beaches and towering cliffs along its coastline, creating postcard-perfect scenes and an ideal habitat for marine and bird life.

Delight in the natural beauty and charm of the island as you glide past the island, and watch the cliff tops to hopefully spot fulmars, shags and much more, all from the comfort of your smaller-sized ship.

A scenic cruise by Tory Island is a scenic cruise past Ireland’s most northerly inhabited land, a picturesque gem situated nine miles off Wild Atlantic Way on the northwest coast of County Donegal. As you sail by, you’ll not only be enamoured by the beauty of Tory Island, with its rugged sheer cliffs and vast grasslands, but also get a feel for just how remote the island is, and how detached the inhabitants are from mainland Ireland as they go about their day-to-day lives.

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is renowned for the beauty of its rugged coast, spectacular cliffs and natural wonders, so to say Lough Swilly is one of the region’s greatest scenic attractions gives you some idea of just how special this 45 kilometre-long waterway really is.

Slicing between the peninsulas of Inishowen and Fanad in County Donegal, Lough Swilly is Ireland at its quintessential best, a wonderland of shimmering blue waters flanked by diverse countryside scenes of lush-green rolling valleys, craggy coastline, imposing cliffs and secluded pools, beaches and bays. A sight that will captivate, inspire and create lasting memories as your smaller ship takes you closer to it all.