Activities
WALKING
There are walks in the area to suit all levels of experience. From the Cottage you can take a ramble to the end of the Dooras peninsula or do the circuit up and around the High Road, with its views of the lough on both sides of the peninsula. You could follow the "old road" (an seanbhóthar) from Corr na Móna to Clonbur/An Fháirche - a map leaflet is available. 
Other walks in the Joyce Country region include a number of forest trails around Clonbur/An Fháirche and Cong where you can view the limestone pavements and the rich abundance and variety of wild flowers, fungi, lichens etc. You can download further information and maps of the trails from CoillteOutdoors.ie These trails are suitable for adults and children.
For more demanding walking, head for Maumtrasna, the Maumturk mountains, the Twelve Bens, the Sheffrys, Croagh Patrick and Nephin. Maps and guide books are available for guests to borrow or can be purchased locally. A knowledge of map reading and the use of a compass, together with suitable clothing, comfortable walking boots and a check on the weather forecast are all advisable if walking in these mountains.
CYCLING
Away from the main routes, the roads are quiet and you can explore and discover this area which is known locally as Dhúiche Sheoigheach in Irish. Follow the Joyce Country Drive from Corr na Móna through Clochbreac to Finny. Continue along the shore of Lough Nafooey then climb up the steep hill at Shanafaraghan. From there you have a wonderful view back down the valley. The road then drops down in to the Maam Valley and back via Maam An Mám to Corr na Móna village.
GOLF
18 hole courses at Ballinrobe, Oughterard, Ballyconneely, Westport. For children, have fun on the Quiet Man miniature golf course in Cong.
CANOEING, ORIENTEERING, WINDSURFING
All are available at Petersburg Outdoor Education Centre, 2.5km at Clonbur - advance booking required.
BOAT CRUISES
Take a trip with Corrib Cruises to the island of Inchagoill, largest island on Lough Corrib and visit the 5th century monastic ruins.
CONNEMARA
Connemara is an area of wild and rugged landscape, wonderful views of mountains, lakes and beaches with places of interest to visit such as the Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey and Garden and Dan O'Hara's Heritage Centre. It is also an area noted for the richness of its flora with some species unique to the region. Follow the link for further information.
HORSE RIDING
Horse riding is available in Cong, at the Ashford Equestrian Centre, close to the village and Ashford Castle Hotel. Ride through the wooded countryside between the shores of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.
DISCOVER
the wealth of botanical sites both locally and throughout Connemara including the Dooras peninsula, Ballykyne Woods, Connemara National Park or Brigit's Garden, Roscahill. The world reknowned Burren landscape is just one hour's drive from Corr na Móna
WILD FLOWERS OF THE DOORAS PENINSULA
Ramble along the Dooras peninsula and see the great variety of wildflowers that abound in the hedgerows.
Wild Flowers of the Dooras Peninsula
The Dooras (Dubhros) pensinsula juts out in to Lough Corrib, on the north-west side of the lake, and runs from the village of Corr na Móna to the island of Inisdoorus. Along its length are to be found a wide variety of wild flowers, many of which can be seen along the roadside, but some are hidden away and access is over wet and boggy ground.
My interest in wild flowers began in the early 70's. We would come to Corr na Móna each May for the fishing and, when our children were small and I wasn't fishing, I used to take them for walks. Seeing the variety of plants along the roadside prompted me to buy my first wildflower book, a pocket sized Collins Gem Guide. This was my trusty reference book for along time before I graduated to more detailed guides as my interest developed. About ten years ago, I decided to try and catalogue the flowers growing locally, purely for my own interest.
Over recent years, a number of visitors have stayed at the Cottage who share my interest and it is always a pleasure to swap notes on plant locations and identification. Some members of The Wild Flower Society and the BSBI have visited 
the area and stayed at the Cottage and, thanks to their willingness to share their knowledge and experience, I have been able to add to my catalogue of flowers. I am happy to give directions on where to find various plants and have a number of wildflower guides/keys which visitors expressing an interest in learning more about the local flora can borrow. I would also recommend two excellent Irish websites to anyone interested in finding out more about our wildflowers: www.wildflowersofireland.net and www.irishwildflowers.ie
Flowers commonly seen along the roadside include: Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, Navelwort Umbilicus rupestris, Fox
glove Digitalis purpurea, Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca, Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria and Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra. One of the more unusual flowers to be seen on the roadside would be St. Daboec's Heath Daboecia cantabrica, one of the Irish specialities.
There are at least 30 different species to be fou
nd in the garden including Lords and Ladies Arum maculatum, Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella, Honeysuckle Lonerica periclymenum, Primrose Primula vulgaris, Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis and, in May/June, there are several examples of Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii to be seen in the "wild" patch in the garden and in the bog beyond the wall. In recent years one or two specimens of Western marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza occidentalis have appeared in the front lawn.
Less common plants to be found on the peninsula include Irish Ladies Tresses Spiranthes romanzoffiana, Grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris and Pipewort Eriocaulon aquaticum.
.thumbnail.jpg "Eriocaulon aquaticum")
The best months to see flowers in bloom would be May through to August although there are still plenty to be seen at other times of the year.
Apart from the wildflowers of the peninsula, there are other wonderful botanical locations to explore including Ballykine Woods (Clonbur/An Fháirche) or the Burren.
Sorcha Peirce