Kayaking in Killary

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The friendly Irish sun glistened on the dark blue waters of Killary fjord. My kayak tottered back and forth as the waves danced beneath me. I had my oar in a firm grip across my lap as I let the current just take control for a little bit, feeling so small surrounded by the towering green mountains on all sides. In the distance, children laughed, and splashes of cold water managed to travel all the way to me, interrupting my blissful peace.

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I adjusted myself in my cold puddle of water that graciously gathered into my kayak seat, so that I could see the tiny town in the distance. At around 10 AM on an August summer morning, the tourists had already begun to bustle through the petite village, wielding their cameras and raincoats. One never knows how long it will be before the raindrops peek out from behind the sun in Ireland.

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This is my favorite place in the entire world. Sitting in a kayak, on a sunny summer day in the middle of Killary Harbour in Leenane, Ireland, also known as “The Gateway to Connemara”. I often find myself thinking back to that moment, imagining I was still there, soaking up the joy from that memory. Even when I was in that moment, experiencing it for myself, I knew how much I would miss it, and long to come back to it, once it had passed. Experiencing it I felt nostalgic, as though I had already missed it when it was hardly out of my grasp. 

 

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About Leenane

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The whole village of Leenane has a strangely somewhat familiar, and nostalgic feeling about it. No doubt, it’s the longing we have inside each of us to be a part of such a beautiful, tight-knit community. With a population of around 200 people, one can practically taste the fictional novels and creative juices spurting forth from the salty smell of the mussel farms and the colorful houses, contrasting with the luscious surrounding landscape. The under-known, under-appreciated history oozes from its inhabitants to the very blades of grass they walk on and the drops of water in the fjord.

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Leenane may be the geographic location of my favorite place, specifically Killary Fjord. But my favorite place on Killary Fjord, or perhaps my favorite memory of Killary Fjord is being on that kayak right in the middle of the water, surrounded by water and mountains, with the little village in the distance, and the activity center shoreline in front of me.

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American-born with Irish parents, I’ve travelled to Ireland nearly every year of my life, almost always during the summer. We hail from the Galway area of Ireland—the West Coast—arguably with the most magical sights to see. But Leenane was always one of my favorites. Its charm is unmatched, and I have yet to visit any village that compares to it. 

 

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Traveling Through Leenane

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Leenane comes upon a traveler rather suddenly. Since it is surrounded by wilderness and mountains, one can drive for an hour or two in absolutely nothing but continuous remote rolling green heights before stumbling upon it. First you see a small house, perhaps a cozy B&B or two, here and there, when suddenly you are in the heart of the town itself! Complete with a couple of pubs, a tiny “grocery store” for the essentials, and some souvenir stores and cafes.

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Passing through the town to the right, one comes across the “Sheep & Wool Café", the place for a delicious cup of coffee, picking up a few souvenirs for family and friends, and learning all about the sheep farm nearby.

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Passing through the town to the left, one comes across the “Leenane Hotel”. As far back as I can remember, it's had the same sign, “Lunches from €6.” Walking into the Leenane Hotel, the history whispers from the walls filled with black and white photographs of the staff and visitors dating back to the 1800s. One can imagine the countless generations of those who had sat on the antique piano bench to entertain weary travelers, sitting in the comfy room off the main lobby.

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Passing past the Leenane Hotel, after a bit of simple scenery and the Killary Cruises Harbor, one comes to the Killary Adventure Centre.

 

 

Silly Sheep

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Driving up to the center, it wouldn’t be an uncommon sight to see carefree (or perhaps careless) sheep strolling through the middle of the main road, oblivious to the angry conga line of traffic that they’re holding up. Even to those only passing through Leenane, it is evident that the sheep there have no regards for their own safety. Their day-to-day lives seem to consist of standing in front of rushing cars in the middle of the road, standing dangerously close to the edges of treacherous cliffs, and waking up tired visitors early in the morning.

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Often, I’ve found myself woken up by “baa-ing” outside my window at the Center around 7:00 in the morning. It’s definitely a much gentler way to be woken up than that horrifying Apple alarm sound. Though, it can be a little disorienting first thing in the morning...

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Killary Adventure Centre

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The “activity center” in question is called “Killary Adventure Centre”. The center itself is situated directly facing a magnificent view of Ireland’s only fjord, a beautiful place to sit and admire God’s creation. From gorge-walking to giant swings to archery combat to high ropes to kayaking and so much more, Killary Adventure Centre brings visitors to new heights of excitement and adrenaline while immersed in the beautiful Irish scenery and culture.

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As much as I adore kayaking on the fjord at Killary, and it definitely is one of my most favorite memories to this day, I would have to say that my absolute favorite activity at the Center is the High Ropes. I used to be terrified of heights, but through flooding myself with high outdoor activities throughout the years at Killary, I’ve grown to adore them.

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There are several different activities within High Ropes. There’s “Jacob’s Ladder”, a trapeze, a vertical obstacle course, and more! Within all of them, however, is the element of great trust. Between trusting one’s “belayers” (the people with your ropes, keeping you from falling), and trusting oneself to keep on moving upward, and forward, High Ropes can be to some an immense trust exercise.

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From experience, I can tell you with surety, it’s absolutely worth it!

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Back to Kayaking

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As much as I adore every single activity at Killary—for its adrenaline rush, thrilling heights, and awakening pleasures—kayaking is the one that fills me with most peace, and is why I associate it with my favorite memory in Leenane.

 

 

I can never recommend enough visiting this little village, and all the sites that I mentioned, especially the Killary Adventure Centre. If you go—prepare yourself to experience everything from peace to adrenaline to waking up early in the morning from a sheep’s ecstatic “baa”!