With jewels like Connemara National Park, the Twelve Bens, Inishbofin and Killary Harbour (Ireland’s only fjord), Connemara is like a vast shabby chic designer garden for you to adventure in.

Without a doubt the best way to experience this outdoor paradise is to get out of your car and allow the unique spirit of this wild place to assault your senses.

For walkers and hikers, it’s simply a case of picking which direction to travel. Will it be a short stroll on country lanes? Or would you rather a day-long hike with map and compass in the Twelve Bens. There are several way marked ways to explore like the 50km Western Way or the 250km Slí Chonamara.

Cyclists also have a vast number of route choices as they travel narrow stone-walled roads that wind through tussocky bog and are lined with untamed hedgerows bursting with the bright beautiful colours of wild flowers.

For the water babies, you’ll be blown away by a day spent on a beach so white and with waters so turquoise that you could be fooled into thinking you are in some tropical paradise. Or you could explore the ocean on a traditional Galway Bay hooker or even go diving.

As for fishermen, you’ll have the pick of the pristine sea, rivers and lakes for casting your lines. And equestrian enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the area on native Connemara ponies.

However, if by now you’re just bamboozled by the choices, why don’t you check out the area’s fantastic adventure centres, like those at Killary and Delphi? With bungee jumping, high ropes courses, kayaking, sailing, clay pigeon shooting and much more, they’re ideal for kids, families, groups and those who just can’t make up their mind what to do!