Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Boston

"Aillwee Cave is a popular destination for Irish families and visitors alike. With a massive cave featuring an underground waterfall, and daily demonstrations of their Birds of Prey show and more, it’s a unique experience you won’t forget. Take a thirty-minute tour through the dramatic underworld of Aillwee Cave."

"If you’re looking for family activities for all ages, the Ailwee Caves and Bird of Prey Centre is a great option for you. Located in the heart of the Burren in County Clare and only 40 minutes from both Galway and Shannon. Perched high on its Burren terraced mountainside."

"One of Ireland's most famous prehistoric grave sites, Gleninsheen lies beside the R480 7km south of Ballyvaughan. It's thought to date from 4000 to 5000 years ago. A magnificent gold gorget (a crescent of beaten gold that hung round the neck) found here and dating from the late Bronze Age is now on display at the National Museum in Dublin. Note: the access gate to the tomb is sometimes locked, and signage is poor."

"Leanmaneh Castle is a fantastic castle that is situated in the town of Leanmaneh North, in County Clare. The origins of the castle date back to the late 15th century, and it is believed to have been constructed by the O’Brien family; the castle was later renovated into a manor house, and it merged its function as a military centre with its residential qualities. The castle fell into ruin during the 18th century, and it has not been renovated since then; it exists on privately owned land, in a farming region of the area, and due to its poor-quality state, it is unfortunately not open to the public."

"Moody and evocative, this marvellous ruined former Cistercian abbey is 1.5km inland from Bellharbour, in a quiet green hollow, surrounded by the stark grey Burren hillsides. It began its long decline in the 15th century but the surviving vaulting in the presbytery and transepts is impressively intact and some striking Romanesque carvings remain."

"North of the Square, Ennis Friary was founded by Donnchadh Cairbreach O'Brien, a king of Thomond, between 1240 and 1249. A mix of structures dating between the 13th and 19th centuries, the friary has a graceful five-section window dating from the late 13th century, a McMahon tomb (1460) with alabaster panels depicting scenes from the Passion, and a particularly fine Ecce Homo panel portraying a stripped and bound Christ."

"Drawing their inspiration from the landscape and culture of the Gaeltacht of Connemara, the crafts people who work, display and sell their products at the Spiddal Craft Centre produce a range of handcrafted quality products which is representative of this area. Visitors shopping in Galway can immerse themselves in a whole different experience, as they can observe the crafts in the making and chat with the master crafts people in the individual studios. The variety of products include Pottery, Candle Making, Leather Working, Woodturning, Jewellery, Hand Weaving, Silk Painting and Batik."

"Ok, admittedly, this technically isn’t a market, but it has that rustic and beautifully, homemade one-of-a-kind feel that any good market offers, and for that alone, Culture Trip highly recommends a visit. The Spiddal Craft Village is a rural business spot for a host of arty producers, people who blow glass, paint Galway’s sublimely rugged landscapes, weave baskets, cook in beautiful bakeries and a serve up an awarding-winning stop-off at the restaurant and coffee shop. In other words, it’s a very worthwhile aside."

"As soon as you sit down in Salthill’s Ground & Co, you’ll feel your worries slip away as comfort sets in. If you fancy starting your day with a dip in the sea, this spot is the perfect place for a post-swim brunch. Chef Leroy’s homemade sausage roll definitely deserves honourable mention, but the entire menu will get your stomach rumbling."

"The Burren's wildflowers are the inspiration for the subtle scents at this wonderful perfumery and floral centre, which creates scented items such as perfumes, candles and soaps that are beautifully packaged in handmade paper. A 10-minute audiovisual presentation details the area's diverse flora, including many fragrant orchids that grow between the rocks. You're free to wander its flower and herb gardens, which provide ingredients for dishes and herbal teas served at its tearoom."

"The heart of Galway is brimming with restaurants and pubs, but it is worth the trip out to the Salthill area to experience more of the city, as well as to stop for a pint at O’Connor’s. The pub considers itself famous for its singsongs and it is certainly famous among the visitors who fill the bar in the summer. The cheery yellow pub has adopted a “more is more” approach to decorations so it can be hard to know where to look when you first step inside."

"OK, so it's not in Galway City, but this Salthill pub's only a short taxi trip or bus ride from the centre and 100% worth the trip. You may recognise it from Ed Sheeran's Galway Girl video or seen pictures of its crazily-Instagrammable interior, and it's the kind of place where Hollywood actors end up doing this. More about O’Connor’s"

"The finely-restored 19th-century Twelve Hotel in Barna is another grand little base for those exploring the county. Located a handy 3-minute ramble from the pier, the Twelve Hotel offers a ‘Pampered Pet Program’ that’s designed to ensure that your pets can soak up some 5-star service. The hotel itself is finely kept, with modern rooms, top-notch service and several cosy chill-outs spaces on offer."

"The hotel/gastropub is situated in Barna Village - a 10-minute drive from Galway. On the top floor, you'll find the fine dining restaurant with a wine list that has won multiple international awards. Our favourite spot is downstairs in The Pins Gastro Bar - the pizzas, stacked with local ingredients, are super."

"Despite recent development at this seaside village, Barna has retained some of its old charm around the harbour area – and its location, handy to both Connemara and Galway City, is a huge attraction. And so is Fergus O’Halloran’s uniq ..."