Connemara and the Coast of Galway Bay with Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey

Sightseeing  :  Ireland  :  Galway  :  Galway  :  Day Trips

Our Connemara, Coast of Galway Bay, Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, tour takes in all the highlights of Connemara along the Wild Atlantic Way. Departing Merchant's Road, Galway at 09:00 daily, our tour travels west along the Coast of Galway Bay. We leave Galway city behind and head out through the Claddagh and Salthill areas of Galway before turning left and along the southern shore of Connemara. Our tour passes through the picturesque villages of Barna, Furbo, Spiddal and Inverin before turning inland to cross the haunting Connemara landscape. The tour stops at the summer residence of Padraic Pearse, leader of the 1916 rising. This restored cottage overlooks the breathtaking rural vistas of Rosmuc and is open to the public from April to September, entry fee not included. Then we travel through the tranquil, wilderness bog landscape of Bothar na Scragoige before stopping for tea / coffee and a scone (not included) in the beautiful fishing village of Roundstone. Leaving Roundstone we travel travel along real Wild Atlantic Way territory, along here you have the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean on your left and the barren Connemara landscape to your right. Here you get to witness exactly what the Wild Atlantic Way is all about, keep an eye out for the local Connemara Ponies as we head for Derrygimlagh Bog. This remote corner of Connemara was central to connecting the whole of Europe to America in the early 20th century and is one of the 'signature points' of the Wild Atlantic Way. Travelling through Clifden, the capital of Connemara, we head skyward towards the Sky Road. The views and photo opportunities from this 'discovery point' on the Wild Atlantic Way have to be seen to be believed. Next you have a choice:
1 - A 2 hour stop to explore and walk the Connemara National Park, or
2 - A 2 hour stop at the magical 19th century Kylemore Abbey - entry fee extra.
To finish off our tour we weave our way between the majestic Twelve Bens and Maamturk mountains through the Inagh Valley and onto the main Galway to Clifden road where we will visit the famous 'Quite Man' bridge before returning to Galway city.