Departing from outside the Kinlay Hostel on Merchants Road, Galway at 09:30 daily, your fully trained, local driver / guide will take you from the city of Galway (Gaillimh) out through the historical fishing village known as the Claddagh and onto Salthill, home to the famous Blackrock diving tower and the Prom.
Our route to Connemara along the Wild Atlantic Way hugs the shoreline of the world-famous Galway Bay.
The beauty of Connemara really begins to unfold before you, mountains start to rise up in the distance and the terrain becomes dotted with lakes separated by blanket bog and forestry.
Your first scheduled stop is a photo-stop at the tumbling waterfall at Screeb. A chance to get out and capture some amazing images of the typical Connemara landscape.
Your next photo-stop is at Derryclare Lough, a freshwater lake at the entrance to the Inagh Valley.
Your pamper stop today is in the town of Clifden, the unofficial capital of Connemara, with brightly painted shopfronts, bars and restaurants lining the narrow streets, Clifden is a great place to find local crafts or unique special gifts.
Next we follow the Sky Road route (Wild Atlantic Way – Discovery Point) to the viewing point for panoramic views over Atlantic Islands and to capture that perfect photo.
On today’s tour you have a choice of main stop.
You can decide on either 3 hours to explore the Connemara National Park or 3 hours to explore the Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens.
Option one is the Connemara National Park – 3-hour stop.
Nestled in the heart of Connemara, the park covers nearly 3,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expansive bogs, glorious grasslands and enchanting woodlands. Explore the walking trails at your own pace or set off on a challenging mountain hike towards the summit of Diamond Hill (400m). There are 4 marked walking trails, each beginning at the visitor centre at the foot of the mountain.
Option two is Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens – 3-hour stop.
Best discounted entry / admission tickets to Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens can be purchased from your driver / guide upon arrival – cash only.
A haven of history and serenity in an idyllic setting, Ireland’s most romantic building from the late 19th century, Kylemore Abbey was originally built as a private castle in 1867 as a token of love by Englishman Mitchel Henry for his wife Margaret.
Today, the Abbey is home to the Benedictine Nuns and the 1,000 acre Kylemore estate is the perfect day trip destination.
Following our main stop today, you will weave your way between the majestic Twelve Bens and Maumturk mountains through mountain-flanked Inagh Valley.
It is a romantic valley which offers breathtaking views of peatlands, mountains, lakes and glorious countryside where sheep graze freely.
Our next photo-stop is in the tiny village of Recess, home to the Connemara Giant.
Returning to Galway we pass the famous Quiet Man bridge on our right hand side.
