Wild About Ireland Tours

30/05/2026

There is nothing that gives an instant sense of place more than an image of cows and castles. It must be Ireland! However, this Martello tower in Co. Galway is a more recent addition to the landscape and tells a fascinating tale of Britain’s growing fear of French expansion in the 18th and 19th centuries — a fear that the French might invade through Britain’s back door. There were many disgruntled Irish people who would have welcomed them, only too eager to embrace the ideals of the French Revolution.
What Are They?
Martello towers are small, circular defensive forts built across the British Empire in the early 19th century. They were originally constructed to defend against an anticipated maritime invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte, and in Ireland that invasion came in 1798, when a small expeditionary force landed in Killala Bay, Co. Mayo.
The design and name of these towers originated from a specific engagement in 1794 at Mortella Point in Corsica. During this conflict, a stoutly built Corsican coastal tower managed to withstand heavy bombardment from two British warships. The British were impressed and adopted the design for their own coastal defences. However, a clerical error resulted in “Mortella” being mistakenly recorded as “Martello”.
Martello towers were engineered to be “bombproof” and self-sustaining. They were solidly constructed, designed with an elevated entrance over two levels and accessible only by ladder. On the roof was a heavy pivoting cannon capable of rotating 360 degrees.
Construction of this impressive defence system began in 1804, and 50 towers were built along the Irish coast, within sight of one another. The French regularly hugged the Irish coast, testing the British defences. The tower pictured is at Finvarra, Co. Clare, and a signalling tower can be viewed at Hag’s Head along the Cliffs of Moher.
Martello towers were eventually rolled out across the British Empire. I love to visit here as part of my Best Cliffs of Moher Private Tour & Burren National Park Private Day Tour with Wild About Ireland. It’s a quiet diversion when the roads are busy at the height of the season, and there is some excellent ice cream.

03/05/2026

What's your favourite place?

12/04/2026

Where to find Wild? Drive through the stunning landscape of Connemara to Achill Island on a private tour. Visit the beautiful Killary Harbour in Co. Galway, Ireland’s only Fjord before a wander around the mountain village of Leenane.
Visit the eerie yet beautiful Doolough Valley and learn about the tragedy that unfolded during the Irish famine. Explore the picturesque town of Westport and view Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo. Discover how the Browne family redesigned the town of Westport in the 18th century.Drive to Achill Island and visit Keem Beach, the location for the Banshees of Inisherin. Discover the fascinating story of Grainne O Malley, Ireland’s famous pirate queen and see some of many castles
Ascend Croaghaun, and marvel at Ireland’s highest cliffs, and wander amidst the ruins of the Deserted Famine Village to uncover more about this sorrowful chapter in Ireland’s history. Expect breathtaking views and fascinating stories throughout private tour.

》 Drive through the beautiful mountain scenery of Connemara
》Leenane Mountain Village
》Doolough Valley Famine Memorial
》Westport
》Achill Island
》 Keem Beach
》Croaghaun (at 2,300 ft, Ireland’s highest cliffs)
》Deserted Village

www.wildaboutireland.ie

05/04/2026

Happy Easter. Kite surfers on Silverstrand beach during Storm Dave.

03/04/2026

Last letters from the leaders of the 1916 Rising as they await their fate in Kilmainham Jail. It is fascinating how nations are born #1916

21/02/2026

I give many walking tours in Galway City, discussing the 14 tribes of Galway, the Claddagh Ring, Humanity Dick Martin, and much more. However, visitors are often most curious about the sculpture depicted in this photo. “The Inquisitive Hare” is a charming artwork by sculptor Donnacha Cahill. When visitors ask, “What’s with the rabbit?” I have to correct them: “It’s a hare,” one of our most ancient native animals. A true free spirit, the hare doesn’t live in a warren like a rabbit. Instead, it prefers a ‘form,’ a makeshift shelter along a path.

Hares travel great distances and revel in running against the wind on dry, blustery nights. Our ancestors held hares in high regard. The Celts believed in metempsychosis, the belief that upon death, a person’s soul instantly transposes to an animal. This concept appears in the ancient epic “The Táin” and the tale of the two pig-keepers who, through time, transformed into the two prized bulls over which a war was fought When Boudicca had enough of Roman rule and rose up to sack their towns and cities, she took counsel from her pet, Hare, who always sat by her side until the tragic end. Hares are fascinating creatures with lots of character. In spring, they can be seen in clearings, arranged in a circle facing each other, having contests of strength to determine the head buck. Hence, the saying “as mad as a March Hare.” Long ago, the people of the Claddagh fishing village in Galway, located outside the walled city, believed in many piseogs or superstitions. One such belief was that it was a bad omen to see a hare before the fishing fleet was due to sail, enough to call off the expedition.

I hope you now have a new appreciation for our native Irish Hare on International Tourist Guide Day, which could be a long-lost relative, inquiring as to how you’re doing.

Spring is such a great time to celebrate the work of guides all over the world in bringing understanding to the diversity of our world.

To book, go to www.wildaboutireland.ie Wild About Ireland Tours # #

20/01/2026

Northern Lights over Galway

04/01/2026

The beautiful stones mullions Ross Errilly Friary, in Headford Co. Galway. The friary dates to 1351 and is the most intact and was once the largest friary in Ireland. www.wildaboutireland.ie

12/12/2025

Magic sunsets Mid Winter

09/11/2025