""Connemara is a savage beauty" (Oscar Wilde)" County Galway Things to Do Tip by rexvaughan

The mountains in the photo are called the Twelve Bens and in some of the guidebooks I have read liken them to Irish dancing girls, but I think someone just likes to think of dancing girls. At any rate they are lovely with an almost mystical aura and are described by author Brendan Lehane as "the central glory of Connemara." At any rate, they stand in dramatic contrast to the bog lands and glacial lakes of the area and support Oscar Wilde's description of this sparsely populated but beautiful area.

The Twelve Bens seem to be a favorite spot for mountain climbing/hiking. I even read one place where "fell runners" (whatever that is) sometimes do all 12 in one day. Makes me tired thinking about it, but I can see how they would attractive the younger and more athletic folk.