If you're still considering your plans for Christmas, here are some Gaeltacht gems we highly recommend visiting over the period. Yes, it's 'off season' but that's the beauty of it.
Seo an tréimhse is ciúine do chuid de na ceantair is deise in Éirinn, seo ár gcuid moltaí leis an Nollaig a chaitheamh sa Ghaeltacht.
Conamara
Go West and visit some of writer's Tim Robinson most favourite places in Conamara. From the Coral Beach/ Trá an Dóilín in An Cheathrú Rua to Ceantar na n-Oileán and if you manage it, onto one of the Aran Islands, you won't regret it. Conamara is vast, barren and breathtakingly beautiful.
Tá Conamara fairsing agus lán le radharcanna dochreidte, tránna áille agus cnoic iontacha, is fiú go mór cuairt a thabhairt air ach go háirithe más duine thú a dtaitníonn sé leo a bheith amuigh faoin aer.
Moltaí bia:
We love the food in O' Grady's on the Pier in Bearna, Pota Café in Baile na hAbhann (next door to TG4) and Coyne's, Cill Chiaráin.
Corca Dhuibhne
Known in English as the Dingle Peninsula, Corca Dhuibhne have nailed the visitor's experience. Dingle is buzzy and still authentically Kerry and the further into the Gaeltacht you go, the more you see and learn about this stunning place and its thriving culture which isn't a historical artefact but a living, changing tradition. Lá an Dreoilín illustrates the pride in local culture and heritage, held every St. Stephen's Day (or Wren's Day).
Ar bharr liosta go leor turasóirí le linn an tsamhraidh, tá Corca Dhuibhne agus ní haon iontas é sin. Ach tá draíocht faoi leith ag baint leis an áit seo nuair atá na sráideanna, na bóithre, na cnoic agus tránna níos ciúine freisin.
Moltaí Bia:
Solas does some of the best tapas I've ever had, don't leave without trying the croquettes. Visit Out of the Blue for fresh fish, if it's good enough for Stanley Tucci... and of course, coffee and cake in Bean in Dingle.
Gaoth Dobhair
Wild, wonderful west Donegal is known for its music, beaches and most recently, its award-winning, stunning airport, situated right beside a white sandy beach in Carraig Fhinn. Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair is an annual traditional Irish music school and festival held between Christmas and New Year's and if you're looking for something to lift your flagging spirits, believe me, this is it.
Mura raibh tú ag Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair ariamh, tapaigh an deis le cuid den cheol traidisiúnta is fearr in Éirinn agus go hidirnáisiúnta a chloisteáil in áit aoibhinn, álainn. Má tá tú cróga, tabhair leat do chulaith snámha , bíonn snámh bliantúil ar siúl Lá na Bliana Úire!
Moltaí Bia:
Danny Minnie's for high-quality local seafood and meats in a cosy, welcoming atmosphere, Arán Café for coffee and brunch and Teach Jack for some comfort food.
