Connemara Day
Trip - Tour Itinerary
We start off our Connemara tour through Claddagh which was once a fishing village on the edge of Galway City, and where the Claddagh Ring originates from. We follow on through Salthill, which is a seaside resort on the shore of Galway Bay, with a Promenade that offers views of the Aran Islands and neighbouring County Clare across the Bay.
Spiddal, the gateway
to Connemara
We'll take you out the coast road through Spiddal, the gateway to Connemara, where we can visit an authentic Irish crafts, fashion & gift shop, Standún. Standún very much reflects all that is best in Irish and International produce, marrying traditional and contemporary to stunning effect. Standún is also highly commended by the top European and US tour guides and has won many national and international awards.
The beautiful Killary Harbour
We follow the road along to Casla, and onwards to Maam Cross which brings us through to Maam Valley and in to the heart of Joyce country and on to Leenane which is on the southern shore of Killary Harbour, a gorgeous 16km long fjord (one of only three glacial fjords in Ireland, the others being Lough Swilly and Carlingford Lough)
This beautiful place forms a natural border between Galway and Mayo.
Connemara's favourite photo stop Pine Island
The area has some of Ireland's most dramatic scenery where you can admire the towering height of Mweelrea, Connacht's highest mountain which rises up to 814 metres as well as the Maumturk Mountains and the marvellous Twelve Bens. Pine Island is nearby on Derryclare Lake, and is one of the most photographed islands in Ireland. The location combined with the dramatic Scot’s Pine Trees makes it a favourite photo stop along the N59.
The spectacularly scenic Sky Road in Clifden
We then move on to Clifden, the capital of Connemara. We head for Sky Road which is a spectacularly scenic 16km route that has a panoramic road view over Clifden Bay and the offshore islands in the Atlantic Ocean which is breath taking. There is a Lower and Upper Sky Road (We will take you on the Upper!) The circular route takes you from Clifden onto the Kingston peninsula which takes in some outstanding scenery.
The Kylemore Abbey 1,000-Acre Estate
Next stop has to be Kylemore Abbey, a gem in the middle of the wilderness, and a haven of history, beauty and serenity. Home to a Benedictine order of Nuns for the past 100 years, Kylemore Abbey welcomes visitors from all over the world each year to embrace the magic of the magnificent 1,000-acre estate. Explore the 6-acre Victorian Walled Garden with its delightfully restored garden buildings, and flower, vegetable and herb gardens.
“We have had good experiences with this bus company. The bus driver Billy is a very nice and competent bus driver. In addition to his job, he always informed us about the landscape and history of Ireland!”
O. Osharaf
