Connemara & National Park Guided Day Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the rugged beauty of Connemara National Park
- Visit the historic Kylemore Abbey
- Enjoy scenic views of the Twelve Bens mountain range
- Discover the picturesque village of Clifden
- Experience traditional Irish culture and landscapes
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Galway
- Guided tour of Connemara National Park
- Visit to Kylemore Abbey
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: 09:30 - Depart Galway Tour vehicle departs Merchants Road, Galway, outside the Kinlay Hostel at 09:30. Please present 15 minutes prior to departure. Leaving the city, your locally sourced and fully trained driver / guide will take you from Galway out into the wilds of Connemara. You will discover stunning landscapes and explore the wildness of this enchanted land in our luxury tour coaches. En route, you will pass beautiful coastal villages, thatched cottages, fields of dry-stone walls and vast expanses of bog land.
10:30 - Screebe Waterfall Viewing Point A quick photo stop at the picturesque Screebe Waterfall The Connemara landscape along with the Wild Atlantic coastline has inspired many writers and musicians including French singer / songwriter, Michel Sandou’s popular hit ‘Les lacs du Connemara.’
11:00 - Pine Island Viewing Point. Another photo stop at Derryclare Lough Derryclare Lough is a freshwater lake at the entrance to the Inagh valley. This is a popular viewpoint for visitors to Connemara and a great place for photo opportunities of Pine Island.
11:30 - Clifden 11:30 - Clifden A chance to wander around the town of Clifden for half an hour. The unofficial residential and commercial capital of Connemara and the axis on which everything in the region turns. Founded in 1812, Clifden is positioned between the mountains and ocean and has historic links to Marconi, Alcock and Brown.
12:15 - Sky Road Viewing Point A photo stop at the Sky Road The Sky Road is one of the Discovery Points on the Wild Atlantic Way. A 16km circular route that starts in Clifden and rises high above the Atlantic Ocean, offering spectacular panoramic views. On a clear day the view from here has to be seen to be believed!
12:45 - Connemara National Park - 3 hour stop On todays tour you have a choice of main stop. Either 3 hours in Connemara National Park or 3 hours at Kylemore Abbey. Free, accessible and richly rewarding, the Connemara National Park is a gateway to a deeper level of intimacy with this unique landscape. The Diamond Hill trails are an idyllic hiking experience, one that climbs through wild uplands before rewarding you with jaw-dropping views across the region.
13:00 - Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens - 3 hour stop For those of you who don’t wish to explore Connemara National Park, your alternative main stop option is one of Ireland’s most iconic sights, Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens Discounted admission available. Few buildings in Ireland or the world have such a dramatic setting or history as Kylemore Abbey. Built in the 1860’s by Mitchell Henry as a wedding gift to his wife Margaret, the magnificent castle at Kylemore is a must-see in Connemara. Your driver / guide will be able to source entry tickets at a discounted rate - cash only.
16:15 - Lough Inagh Viewing Point Another photo stop en route back to Galway City, at the inspiring Inagh Valley. Inagh valley is one of the most scenic valleys not just in Connemara but in the whole of Ireland. This romantic valley offers breathtaking views of peatlands, mountains, lakes and glorious countryside where sheep graze freely.
16:45 - The Connemara Giant Viewing Point There is a little bit of Connemara humour associated with this popular stop! The tiny village of Recess (Sraith Salach – riverside meadow of willows) is situated on the edge of the beautiful fishing lake of Glendalough and is home to the Connemara Giant or Con MacNamara, a statue overlooking the village car par
Pass by: Our driver / guide will return you to our departure point on Merchants Road, Galway, where our tour for today concludes. Time to say ' Good Bye' or 'Slan Abhaile' to our driver / guide.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in English; ensure you understand the language.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pets are not permitted on the tour.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a light rain jacket, as weather can be unpredictable.
- Carry a camera to capture the stunning landscapes.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
Good to know
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time
Traveler reviews
Can't miss tour when you're in Galway!
Mike was our tour guide/bus driver, and did an exceptional job. The roads in the Connemara region are... Challenging... But he did an expert job of safely navigating them while also providing our bus with some very interesting history. He also gave us some great tips on how to maximize our time in the Kylemore Abby. Worth noting: this is one of the few tour options that gives you 3 hours to either hike around the park or explore the Abby, and I think you need every minute of that 3 hours, because there is just so much to see. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Galway area.
Great day tour to Kylemore Abbey
We had a lovely time. Knowledgeable guide. Loved the history with practical recommendations to make the most of the time at each stop. Nice variety in the stops. Would highly recommend this your & driver
Kylemore was great!
Our tour bus driver was great. Very informative and entertaining! We select the tour of the Abbey and it did not disappoint. Lovely visit.
Absolutely amazing
We were lucky that this was a small bus tour. Our driver was great & pointed out lots of interesting. The small towns & sights were wonderful. Cliftden & the sky road was breathtaking. Connemara mountains has more than 50 shades of green & is gorgeous. Kylemoore Abbey & area is beyond words. Make sure you visit the church & mausoleum. The pillars in the church are the different marbles found in Ireland.
Tour filled with great information and beautiful stops!
This was the perfect trip for a day in Ireland. Kylemore Abbey is breathtaking and our driver, Michael, was filled with great information and made several stops on the side of the road for us to take pics and stretch. Very comfortable bus ride