6 Super Stops in Connemara
The region is located to the west of Galway and it is a must see of you are visiting Galway or even further afield. There is a great variety of scenery and you will be mesmerised by the impact of the ever-changing light on the landscape. Mountains, lakes, valleys along with the Wild Atlantic Way will keep you captivated. There are so many places to visit in the area you would really need a couple of days to get to see them all. However if your time is limited, here are, in my opinion, a selection of the best:
- Clifden
- The Sky Road.
- Connemara National Park.
- Kylemore Abbey.
- The Inagh Valley.
- Lough Derryclare.
Here is why you should not miss this attraction
1. Clifden
This lovely colourful little town was created by the local landlord called D’arcy. Today it’s a thriving town with lots of activities including an annual arts festival and the famous Connemara Pony Show. The town nestles at the foot of the Twelve Bens mountains. It has a lot to offer tourists with gift shops, cafes and super seafood restaurants. With some nice hotels here or nearby, its a great place to stay or just visit.
2. The Sky Road
This appropriately located route takes you from Clifden along an ever ascending route to a viewing point with a magnificent vista of the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day you can ALMOST see Newfoundland! From here you can see how Connemara gets it’s name. There are lots of coves with beautiful beaches, lots of deserted islands and an island than you can drive to on on low tide. On the route watch out for Clifden Castle started by D’arcy but never completed. You may also spot the beautiful white Connemara ponies as you progress along the route.
3. Connemara National Park
If you fancy a spot of exercise this is the place for you. There are a number of marked trails that you can take to give you a view of the wilderness that it Connemara National Park. Why not take the trail that takes you up Diamond Hill with its 360 degree view of the local area including Kylemore Abbey. If you are not feeling energetic, there is a visitor centre with an exhibition explaining the environs of the park and a cafe. Entrance to the park is free.
4. Kylemore Abbey
Built as a hunting lodge in the 1860’s by Mitchell Henry, today it is owned by the Benedictine order of nuns. It was run as a school for girls for many years but today is it a major tourist attraction in the area. You can visit the estate to see the Abby, the Neo-Gothic Church and the Walled Gardens. If you are a feeling famished there is a cafe serving great food. No visit to Connemara would be complete without a visit or at least a photo of the Abbey.
5. The Inagh Valley
Ireland was covered by ice until about 11,000 years ago. The glaciers used giant boulders to scrape out the beautiful valleys in the area over a period of 110,000 years. The Inagh Valley with its majestic mountains and spectacular lakes will captivate you on your route. The mountains are a commonage shared by local farmers and their sheep and lambs can be spotted on the roadside grazing. Another great photo opportunity.
6. Lough Derryclare
This scenic spot is often missed by visitors as there no signs to highlight its existence. The lake with it’s little pine forested island has a panoramic backdrop of some of the Connemara mountains. It’s hidden locations like these that your local private guide will find for you to ensure that you get the best from your visit to Ireland.
This is just a small sample of some of the many things that you will experience during your visit to Connemara. Add stories to the scenery, and voila, a recipe for a great day out. Our Captivating Connemara Tour weaves these highlights together with some other hidden gems and local tales that make the landscape come alive. It’s the perfect way to discover the magic of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
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