Cong or Aran Islands and Inishmore?

Kate,
I am planning to stay in Galway for 4 nights and I am going to use Galway Tours to visit your wish list. So I will do 3 tours, one each day. But I am returning to Western Ireland to see this beautiful land. I never saw this area on my last trip. I am going in late August and I have to plan on the weather in Ireland. Then my other home base is Dingle.

That may be an option as you don't have to physically move around but I won't have a car. If you do, then go for it but I like to spend at least 2 nights in each stop. Or you never get to enjoy the locals.

Kathy

We really enjoyed Inishmore and the Aran Island. We visited the monastic buildings in Cong and then left - two hours there was enough time. Connemara is beautiful - if you have a car, spend some time just driving around and exploring. We enjoyed Roundstone and Clifden.

We really enjoyed Inishmore and the Aran Island. We visited the monastic buildings in Cong and then left - two hours there was enough time. Connemara is beautiful - if you have a car, spend some time just driving around and exploring. We enjoyed Roundstone and Clifden more than Galway.

Kate,

If you can only visit two, my suggestion would be.....

• Inishmore and the Aran Islands because they're quite unique and have some interesting sights, such as the fort at Dun Aengus.
• Cliffs of Moher as again they're quite spectacular and there's an interesting museum there.

A day trip out to Inishmore would be my #1 choice.
A meandering drive around Connemara would be my second...to include a short stop in Cong, but also including Clifden and the Sky Road just west of it, the National Park for a short hike and some great photo ops, with maybe a short detour up to Doolough and the Famine Memorial there (we thought it one of the most evocative places in Ireland), Kylemore Abbey and its gardens, etc. So much to see and do in what we consider to be the prettiest part of Ireland.
Not to disparage the cliffs, which are terrific, but I wouldn't devote a day to them. We enjoyed our time there generally but the crowds of people detracted somewhat from the whole experience for us. Maybe early or later in the afternoon, before or after all of the tour buses descend upon the place at mid day.
Can't go wrong no matter how you choose to do it.
Safe Travels.

Thanks so much. I'll do as you suggest. It might be possible to stop at the Cliffs of Moher as we drive from Killarney in the late afternoon too. That way we'd get to see three wonderful things and not be too pushed for time.

Kate,

One comment about the trip to Inishmore. The seas can be a bit "choppy" on occasion and if you're prone to motion sickness that could be a problem. You might want to pack some "medicinal help" along for that. Using one of the local guides in a minivan is a good way to see the island as their commentary is sometimes hilarious, and they get to all the main sights. If you hike up to Dun Aengus, don't get too close to the edge!

If you are doing a tour bus, use Galway Tour and see if you can get Philip for the Connemara tour. He was absolutely fabulous. Leaves from Galway. http://www.galwaytourcompany.com/gtc/daytours.jsp

We did this yesterday. Philip does not always drive for them, but he was really good. Went on the recommendation of another friend who had him as well.

I had a little more time than you do, and I visited the Cliffs of Moher, Inishmore, and Cong.

I was more impressed by the Cliffs and by Inishmore than by Cong. So, if I had to cut one of those, it would be Cong, which is a pleasant town,and the abbey and abby grounds are worth seeing, but Cong is not as different from other towns or villages as Inishmore, and not as spectacular as the Cliffs.