Fáilte Ireland in partnership with the Connemara and Aran Islands Tourism Network (CAITN) have launched two self guided digital trails.
Tá dhá chosán dhigiteacha féintreoraithe seolta ag Fáilte Éireann i gcomhpháirtíocht le Líonra Turasóireachta Chonamara agus Árann (CAITN).
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Film Trail / Slí na Scannán
Welcome to the Connemara Film Trail
Embark on an exciting journey to explore the stunning film destinations of Connemara. This region offers directors and location scouts a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, making it a favourite for various film genres, from romance and comedy to drama and legend.
A Dynamic Natural Backdrop
Connemara’s ever-changing landscape provides a perfect backdrop for storytelling. Whether it’s the time of day or the weather, the scenery is always in flux. Within a short distance, you can find white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, fast-flowing rivers, colourful villages, and the silhouettes of lonely islands on the horizon.
Iconic Filming Spots
The Renvyle Peninsula, Roundstone, and the Aran Islands are among the most favoured locations in Connemara. The Gaeltacht region, Ceantar Cois Fharraige, is home to TG4 (the Irish language TV station) and a cluster of support industries. Notably, US Director Roger Corman spent time here, and the Irish language soap “Ros na Rún,” based in An Spidéal, has featured stars like Stephen Fry and Conan O’Brien.
A Welcoming Community
The locals in Connemara are known for their friendliness and openness toward visiting stars and productions. Directors often find perfect extras among the local people, echoing George Bernard Shaw’s sentiment: “Why a man should desire to act on the stage when he has the whole world to act in.” Films shot here employ local talent as carpenters, dressmakers, and set builders.
Galway: A UNESCO City of Film
Since 2014, Galway has been recognized as a UNESCO City of Film, highlighting its significance in the global film industry. This designation by UNESCO, the cultural body of the United Nations, underscores the region’s contribution to the arts and culture.
Explore Connemara and discover why it continues to captivate filmmakers from around the world.
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Sheep & Wool Trail / Slí Caorach & Olla
Welcome to the Sheep & Wool Trail
There are more sheep than people in Connemara. You’ll see them everywhere — in the fields, among the rocks and uplands, or even lying on the road for warmth. Good places to spot them include Joyce Country (an aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark), the Maam Turk Mountains, Lough Nafooey, around Leenane, and in Connemara National Park.
Hardy Sheep & Tireless Sheepdogs
The sheep in Connemara descend from the Scottish Blackface breed — small, hardy, and well adapted to the wet, rugged terrain. They arrived in the 18th century alongside black-and-white Border Collies, renowned for their agility and intelligence. In past times, young people tended flocks in summer uplands, building booleys (stone huts) for shelter.
Wool & Tweed Heritage
Once shorn, the fleeces were processed into tweed at local mills such as Millars Connemara, which operated in the 19th century. As tastes changed and tweed fell out of fashion, production became harder to sustain. The Congested Districts Board supported new factories and craft education in rural areas. Today, some of these mills survive with new creative purposes.
Connemara Hill Lamb
The lamb’s meat is particularly sweet and tender thanks to the herb-rich mountain grasses. Connemara Hill Lamb has European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, ensuring that only lamb born and reared in the designated region may carry the name. It’s available nationwide in Dunnes Stores and through local butchers.
Aran Knitwear
The Aran Islands are famed for their intricate, white fishermen’s geansaí (jumpers), popularized worldwide by folk group The Clancy Brothers. Worn by icons like Steve McQueen, Grace Kelly, and now Taylor Swift, the Aran jumper remains a symbol of Irish craftsmanship. Stars like Roma Downey and Nicola Coughlan have also supported local designer Colin Burke. Ask if a jumper is hand-knitted in Ireland when shopping for authenticity.
