The rugged scenery, the lively culture, and the thriving food scene are three of the big lures for tourists to visit the Wild Atlantic Way. Added to that, local history and a variety of cultural events really add to the enjoyment and richness of the experience and enjoyment you will find in any number of towns and villages on the coastal driving route that stretches from Co Donegal in the northwest of Ireland to Co Cork in the south.
One area that ticks all of these boxes - and more - is Omey Island in Connemara in Co Galway. The tidal island - which is close to the village of Claddaghduff and roughly ten minutes away from the capital of the region, Clifden - has a magical feeling to it, given its terrain can totally change from one part of the day to the other.
When the tide is in, Omey - whose only full-time inhabitant, a former wrestler and stuntman died in 2017 - is fully surrounded by the sea. However, when the tide is out, a beautiful beach is exposed and the island can be accessed by horse, foot, or car. The fact people have to wait for nature to take its course before visiting the island - whose name in Irish, Iomaí, means resting place - adds anticipation and further appreciation to any visit to the Connemara beauty spot.
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Omey is rich in historical and archaeological importance. The island is teeming with sites of religious significance, including a monastic settlement founded by St Feichin, a 7th-century saint. Pilgrims still make trips to the island in devotion to Feichin, whose well is found on the western part of the island.
There is also a later-era medieval church - known as Teampaill Feichin - that was only fully uncovered in 1981, upon the insistence of a local priest and the help of locals. The church - whose walls still remain relatively intact - was covered by sand for centuries and the land around it needed to be cleared away.
Like so many other west of Ireland towns and villages, Omey was once a thriving community boasting - at one stage - 400 inhabitants. The Great Famine had a huge, detrimental impact on the local populace, however, and the number of residents has steadily dwindled and now there are no - saving from seasonal visitors - permanent residents on the island.
The surroundings and the beautiful scenery form part of popular cultural events associated with Omey. Although it has been canceled over the last two years - owing to the increasing price of insurance - the island is synonymous with point-to-point horse racing with many people in the West of Ireland.
Since being re-established in 2001, The Omey Races has been a hugely popular event with up to nine races taking place on the strand in late July every year. As many as 6'000 have, in the past, taken in the races, known by many as "The Other Galway Races." Although no longer part of the Races, there used to also be car racing in the entertaining, family-friendly day out.
Nearby are the villages of Claddaghduff, Cleggan, and the town of Clifden, all of which offer ample dining and pub experiences, with traditional music easy to find. Dooncastle Oysters, who export their locally farmed and sourced seafood products all over the world, run a food truck with exquisite seafood near their premises, which is a short trip from the island.
For an authentic experience that best encapsulates West of Ireland life then a visit to Omey Island should be on any tourist's agenda.
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