To really experience Ireland, go where the locals go. We asked some locals to tell us about their favourite places in Ireland.  First we meet Padraic, a local fisherman from Galway to tell us about Connemara and the surrounding area…

“There are apparently two coral beaches in Ireland , and we have the biggest and the best in Carraroe. It's absolutely beautiful. Irish folklore says that if you grab a fistful of the coral and toss it over your shoulder it will bring you great fortune; toss a fistful over your right and it will bring you riches, toss a fistful over your left and it will bring you love. So if you are after love or money, or both, you will certainly find it here. It is a beautiful beach, and while many people may by-pass it to go to the popular town of Clifden , it's definitely worth a look.

The whole of the Connemara coast line is dotted with beaches, but you won't see them signed on the main road. What you need to do is drive down a boreen, that's what we call a little road, and you will come across these little secluded beaches, away from everyone else. It's these wild, rugged and lovely secluded beaches that the locals go to. You hike up there, have your picnic, have your swim and no one else is there to bother you. If you want to do a spot of fishing in the afternoon, you just get a rod and ask a local where the best place is to fish. Then you sit up on a rock, throw out and catch your dinner. You get loads of fish off the rocks, loads of mackerels. It's just lovely to spend your day there; fishing, swimming, relaxing or playing in the sand with your kids.”

“I love these islands; Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr. I have been visiting them for years. The sea has worn away at their edges creating lots of caves and the beautiful wild and rugged coastline that you see. It's easy to get there, you can catch ferries from Galway city, Rossaveal in Connemara, and Doolin in County Clare.

Worm's Hole is found on the biggest island of them all, Inis Mór , it's amazing! It's a formation that has been here for thousands of years, they say that there is no bottom. You can also visit Dun Aengus, the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands .

Inis Oirr, the smallest island but the nicest, is my favourite one. Here amongst many ruins you can find, St. Kevin's Church, the sunken chapel, St. Kevin is the Patron saint of the Island . It was covered in sand a few years ago but locals dug it out. The island is also famous for masquerading as Craggy Island in the TV Show Father Ted. Here you can see the Plassey, the wreck that appeared on the opening credits.”

You'll also find loads of great B&Bs on Inish Oirr and 3 excellent pubs my favourite one is Rory's.

“ There's lots of open space in Connemara , you can step out of your car and walk for miles and miles, for tens of miles. It's a lovely sight to see.

If you like mountains, you can go walking up there, taking in a breath of our lovely, heathery, clean, breezy air. It's so fresh. We have the Twelve Bens, or Twelve Pins as they are called, and when you are driving around them or walking up in them, with the river flowing in-between, it's absolutely awesome altogether. I think it's the most beautiful place in the world. There is no smog, no pollution at all. The only thing you get is the smell of the trees, heather and flowers.

If you have stamina, there's a boreen, that is what we call a little road, near by in Rossaveal that leads to a Martello Tower , it's a round tower that was built by the English in 1850 and you can see a big cannon on top of it. Legend has it, in a mountain nearby there is a pot of gold. If you dream about the pot of gold for three nights in a row, then walk up the mountain, you will find that pot of gold.

Exploring the countryside, going down these boreens, taking your time, that is the best way to see Connemara . If you are rushing, you will miss it, miss all the hidden treasures and beauty.”

To see more of Ireland , Padraic and other locals click here and view stunning footage of their journeys.

Cúirt International Festival of Literature

21 Apr 2009 - 26 Apr 2009

The Cúirt International Festival of Literature is Ireland ’s premier literary event. The festival annually brings approximately sixty authors of local, national and international repute to Galway for readings, workshops, discussions, book signings and much, much more.  To find out more click here.

Galway Early Music Festival - Galway City

15 May 2009 - 17 May 2009

Based in the medieval City of Galway , the Galway Early Music Festival features medieval, renaissance and baroque music and dance. Concerts by internationally recognised performers using historical instruments, workshops and costumed street performance, coupled with the West of Ireland's unique welcome and warmth, make this the place to be in May for a taste of medieval, renaissance and baroque magic! See our website for details of the full programme in early 2009.

Volvo Ocean Race

Galway City

23 May 2009 - 06 June 2009

Discover the excitement of the world's premier yachting challenge when the Volvo Ocean Race sails into Galway Bay this summer. This round-the-world competition will visit some of the most prestigious ports in the world and will reach Galway in May/June 2009 - the only stopover for Ireland and the U.K. The key events planned to showcase Galway and the region are a mix of sailing and land-based activities including in-port races, with the teams competing for some valuable points and a three-acre tented village incorporating open air concerts, hospitality and cultural events. For more details click here.

Galway Sessions

23 Jun 2009 - 29 Jun 2009

The music sessions take place in multiple venues in Galway City , including the Crane Bar, Róisín Dubh, Monroe 's Tavern, The Quays, Tigh Neachtáin, Tigh Cóilí, Taffees, Massimo's, and Áras na Gael.  Click here to find out more.

Galway Film Fleadh

07 Jul 2009 - 12 Jul 2009

The Galway Film Fleadh takes place over six days in July, and is based in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway Omniplex and Eyre Square .  Click here to get more details

Galway Arts Festival

13 Jul 2009 - 26 Jul 2009

Galway Arts Festival is Ireland 's largest annual arts festival.  Founded in 1978, the Galway Arts Festival is Ireland 's largest annual arts festival, taking place each July in the city of Galway . The Festival collaborates with artists and companies throughout the world to produce and present an international programme of theatre, spectacle, dance, visual arts, music, literature & comedy involving hundreds of artists and performers.

Festival of the Connemara Pony & The Connemara Pony Show

16 Aug 2009 - 21 Aug 2009

This year’s Festival of the Connemara Pony kicks off on Sunday 16th August, at the Showground, Clifden, County Galway and is a week-long celebration of this much-loved creature. The high point of the festival is the Connemara Pony Show on Thursday 20th August. With a history dating back to 1924, there are over 400 ponies on show. It is the largest display of Connemara Ponies anywhere in the world and attracts enthusiasts from all over Ireland and overseas.

Galway International Oyster Festival

24 Sep 2009 - 27 Sep 2009

A weekend of non-stop entertainment which features top-class national and international artists, cabaret and dancing. Galway City will come alive as thousands of people travel from the four corners of the world to enjoy a remarkable festival celebrating the oyster, a food known for its mysterious luxury and passion. The Festival takes place at the Oyster Festival Marquee, Nimmos Pier, The Claddagh, Galway . For the full programme of events log onto the Galway International Oyster Festival website by clicking here.