Explore Ros a' Mhíl

As with all ferry ports, most visitors will remember Ros an Mhíl (Rossaveal) as a departure or arrival point – in this case to the Aran Islands. In fact the outlying area has many interesting features, a beautiful coastline, a rich history and some attractive beaches. To the north and to the east of it, hundreds of acres of bogland are home to all types of wetland wildlife and fauna.

45 minutes west of Galway City, Ros an Mhíl can be reached by taking a left off R336 on to R372 which loops around to meet the main road again at Baile na hAbhann, close to the headquarters of the Irish Language TV Station TG4.

Part of the Wild Atlantic Way, it lies on the eastern coast of Cuan Chasla (Casla Bay). A most interesting driveable 8km trail, preferably walked or cycled, gives a very good insight into life in Conamara over the last 300 years.

Acres of stony fields and rocky shorelines from which families eked out a living and remnants of British Rule – a Martello Tower built in the early 1800’s and a Coast Guard Station constructed some 60 years later. Prior to it becoming a ferry port, Ros an Mhíl was a popular fishing harbour and up to the middle of the last century a port of call for húcéirí and gleoiteogaí (traditional Connemana sailing boats) bringing turf to Aran and Co. Clare and goods from Galway City.

Close to Ros an Mhíl in the village of An Bhánrainn Bhán (Banraughbaun) is a holy well dedicated to St. Colm Cille. Nearby on the shore of a most beautiful beach, lies a large stone in the shape of a ship. Legend has it that the saint sailed it from Aran after visiting St. Enda there.

Mar atá amhlaidh faoi gach calafort, fanfaidh calafort Ros an Mhíl i do chuimhne, más ag imeacht nó ag teacht a bhí tú – go hOileáin Árann sa chás seo. Tá neart gnéithe spéisiúla sa cheantar agus cósta álainn, lán de stair agus tránna breátha. Tá na céadta acra portaigh ó thuaidh agus soir uaidh agus an dúlra go mór i gceist ann.

Tá Ros an Mhíl 45 nóiméad as cathair na Gaillimhe agus teacht air ach dul ar chlé ón R336 go dtí an R372, a shníonn thart i gciorcal agus ar ais ar an bpríomhbhóthar arís ag Baile na hAbhann, in aice cheanncheathrú na seirbhíse teilifíse Gaeilge TG4 . Tá an ceantar mar chuid de Shlí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin agus le cósta thoir Chuan Chasla. Tá bealach suimiúil 8 km gur féidir tiomáint ann, ach arbh fhearr dul ar rothar ann nó de shiúl na gcos, a thugann míniú láidir ar mar a bhí an saol i gConamara le 300 bliain. Tá acraí de gharraithe clochacha ann agus carraigeacha le cósta, gan trácht ar iarsmaí riail na Breataine – túr Martello a tógadh go luath sna 1880í agus stáisiún garda cósta a tógadh thart ar 60 bliain ina dhiaidh sin.

Bhí cáil na hiascaireachta ar chalafort Ros an Mhíl sular thosaigh cúrsaí farantóireachta. Bhí tarraingt ann ag húicéirí agus ag gleoiteoga (báid thraidisiúnta Chonamara) suas go dtí lár an chéid seo caite agus iad ag tabhairt móna go hÁrainn agus Contae an Chláir agus earraí as cathair na Gaillimhe.Tá tobar Cholm Cille in aice láimhe agus cloch mhór ar thrá álainn ansin i gcruth báid. Deirtear gur inti a sheol an naomh as Árainn tar éis dó cuairt a thabhairt ar Naomh Éinne ansin.