The Irish name Coill Mhór, meaning big forest, refers to the oaks, silver birches, holly and conifers that cover the north shore of Pollacappul Lake, at the foot of Mount Doughrough. A neo-Gothic castle with towers and crenels, built between 1860 and 1867 in Dalkey granite, currently houses a community of Benedictine nuns and a school. The arts and crafts centre sells a wide range of hand-made and hand-decorated Kylemore pottery.

This park (2 000ha) covers part of the Twelve Bens mountain range and includes heaths, marshes and meadows with oak and silver birch copses, as well as many Mediterranean, Alpine and Arctic plant species. The common European stag, originally from Connemara, and the Connemara pony have been reintroduced. The visitors' centre, located in an old farm, provides information on guided walks and natural footpaths.

Beyond Clifden Castle, formerly the home of John D'Arcy, a steep, narrow road climbs along the cliffs on the north side of the bay. The opposite shore is dominated by the round hump of Errisbeg (300m). As the road bears northwest over the ridge, a magnificent view unfolds of the indented coastline and the islands offshore (viewing point at the car park). The road descends in a curve to the head of Kingstown Bay and then continues inland along the south shore of Streamstown Bay.