Connemara and Galway City Day Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the rugged beauty of Connemara National Park
- Stroll through the vibrant streets of Galway City
- Discover picturesque villages and scenic landscapes
- Experience traditional Irish culture and hospitality
- Capture stunning photographs of Ireland's natural beauty
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Dublin
- Guided tour of Connemara National Park
- Visit to Galway City
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: We depart Dublin and make our way West for a great day Tour to Connemara.On our way across the midlands of Ireland we shall make a comfort stop for refreshments and a chance to stretch your legs.On arrival in Connemara, We will visit the picturesque village of Cong, this is a national Tidy-Town winner and the location for the Oscar winning Hollywood movie - The Quiet Man.
Enjoy a stop at Cong, Connemara. This traditional village was the film location for Quiet Man, the Hollywood classic starring Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne. Soak up the rural atmosphere and enjoy the shops and fresh air.
From Tuesday to Saturday between April 1st and October 31st the tour will visit the historic silver mines and show farm at Glengowla instead of Cong. Cong will still feature on Sundays / Mondays when Glengowla is closed.
We arrive in Galway, known as the city of tribes and once home to Christopher Columbus. The city is Ireland's traditional capital and home to some of our finest traditional musicians. Our 2 hour stop allows you to explore the city at your leisure. Explore highlights like the Spanish Arch, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the colourful Shop Street or maybe even sample some world famous Galway Bay oysters.
Pass by: The tour will depart Galway at 17.00 to return to Dublin at approximately 7:30pm.
Enjoy a spectacular road trip with views of Joyce country and the mountains of Connemara. We continue our drive through the wilderness of Connemara with its unique landscape, beautiful lakes, valleys, and mountainous scenery. Ravaged by famine, and predominantly Gaelic the people here still strive to maintain the remanence of rural culture and the traditional Irish way of life. We head back to Galway via the Deserted Maam Valley, an area of scenic and unsurpassed beauty with the lakes of Connemara which unfold in among the twelve Bens mountains. We then travel back along the coast and Galway Bay through Spiddal, and enjoy magnificent views of the Atlantic Coastline to Galway and Aran Islands.
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour involves a full day of travel and exploration; plan accordingly.
- Meals and beverages are not included; consider bringing snacks or purchasing food during stops.
- The tour operates in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language for guided commentary.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring Connemara and Galway City.
- Bring a light jacket or sweater, as weather conditions can change throughout the day.
- Consider bringing a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and city scenes.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Bookings made through Viator will automatically be signed up for the pickup point and collection time specified in the booking.
- If you wish to change your reservation to one of the other pick-up locations offered by Paddywagon Tours, you will need to contact us by telephone or email not later than 17:00 the evening prior so that we can guarantee the change. Please note that changes are only guaranteed once confirmed in writing by us.
Traveler reviews
Disappointing Connemara
Do not take this tour, very disappointing; the indicated itinerary was not respected. Moreover, we left with 6 people who were going to stay in Galway, so we returned with just two. In other words, we were put on a tour that was actually a means of transportation to take people to their hotel. We did not see Connemara; the driver went so fast with no stops, just road. We never saw Galway, a city with little interest; no restaurant or bar stops, just road. We visited a mine; bravo, I am claustrophobic, so I did not visit. Really, do not waste your money; do another activity.
Buyer Beware!
This is a huge company with poor customer service. They never sent a reminder email for the tour but sent a reminder email the day before to leave a review. I tried to cancel and they would only give us a credit. This was not a tour. It was transportation to a destination. When we got to the pick up 15 minutes early they told us the wrong bus. We did not get a great seat even though we were early because there were so many buses and employees everyone was running around not really sure what was going on. In the middle of the tour two drivers decided to consolidate due to scheduling so a bunch of people from our bus had to get their luggage and switch. We were on the bus a long time and not a lot of time at our destination. The driver spoke fast. I am an american from the south and I had trouble understanding sometimes. Take the train and pick up a tour when you get there. I do admit the sheep farm was an amazing stop but overall would not choose again.
FLEE if you want to enjoy the lakes of the connemara
The ad is misleading. We only cross the connemara by car (with tinted glass) in an hour with a 5-minute stop by the road to take a photo when the title of the ad suggested that we could walk there and we stayed there for two hours. If the discovery of a farm and a mine was nice this was not the original purpose of the excursion. The ad should be renamed because it is clearly misleading.
Hidden Connemara
Ou trip was rich in new impressions and insights into the west of the country. The farm visit felt genuinely healing and deeply wholesome. I’m especially grateful to our guide, Declan, for the warmth, good humour, and authentic Irish spirit he shared with us throughout the day. This tour is not the most obvious tourist choice, but it's very authentic.
Connemara and Galway
Pleasant day of discovery, too bad that we can not stop to enjoy the landscapes. Our guide Duncan was perfect; kind, considerate, funny, with excellent knowledge of his visit.