Visiting Letterfrack
Letterfrack is a small village established in the mid-19th century by a couple of Quakers, a Protestant religious community. During the Great Famine, James and Mary Ellis built a shop, a dispensary, a school, and several workshops in the middle of this desolate land to help the local population survive. Letterfrack is a essential stop in Ireland. As the gateway to the Connemara National Park, it also overlooks the Renvyle Peninsula and its bright white sand beaches.
The gateway to Connemara
In Letterfrack, you will find the Connemara National Park Visitor Centre, which serves as both a tourist office and an exhibition space. It provides detailed info on the formation of peat bogs and their environmental importance for local flora and fauna. Various hiking trails start from Letterfrack, including the trek up Diamond Hill. This 445-meter peak has a light color and unique shape that resembles the facets of a diamond. From the summit, you get a clear view of the park with Ballynakill Bay in the background. Not far from the village in the heart of Connemara is the only fjord in Ireland, the Killary Fjord.
Use your time in Letterfrack to visit the impressive Kylemore Abbey, nestled in the greenery on the edge of the lake of the same name. This estate once belonged to a wealthy English merchant, Henri Mitchell. After losing his wife during a trip to Egypt, he decided to expand the plans for the abbey to make it nearly cathedral-like. Located a few hundred meters from the castle, the abbey features ornate stained glass and columns built from different types of marble. The site was eventually purchased by Benedictine nuns who established a religious school there. Exploring the site also includes the gardens. Note that access to the interior of the castle is limited to just four rooms out of 66, as the others are still used by the nuns for their teaching mission.
The Renvyle Peninsula
North of Letterfrack lies another natural wonder, the Renvyle Peninsula, which features beautiful wild beaches like Lettergesh, White Strand, and Glassilaun, where you can go diving or snorkeling. Think of the water clarity here like the Pacific Northwest coast, but without the extreme cold.
If you have the stamina, hike up Tully Mountain for a great vantage point overlooking the coast on one side and the mountains of Connemara, the famous Twelve Bens, on the other.
When to go
To avoid the constant rain and gray skies, the best time to visit Letterfrack and the Connemara National Park is during the spring and summer months, when the russet landscapes are at their most striking.
How to get there
Letterfrack is located along the N59 national road that circles the Connemara National Park. The best way to get there is by car, or you can catch a bus from Galway.
