We'll be there next month and want to do the loop drive from from Galway, North through Connemara, ending back in Galway (from Ricks book). It says approx 5 hours, but we plan to take the whole day for this. Has anyone done this and will we have time for stops along the way? I would like to take my time and stop to see stuff along the way when we want to. Have a nice lunch, possibly stop at Ashford Castle. We will stop by Kylemore, but only to take photos, we won't be touring. Any other advice on cool stops? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Midway, UT
3257 posts
Just west of Clifden is the Sky Road - rated as one of Ireland's greatest scenic drives, with spectacular seascapes and photo ops all along the way.
Near the village of Letterfrack is Connemara National Park. The short hike up to a feature called Diamond Hill is worth the effort. The reward at the top is a sweeping panorama of the surrounding countryside all the way to the sea coast.
The village of Cong is the highlight of the drive - it still looks like the movie set that it was back in the early 50's when "The Quiet Man" was filmed there. Along with a stop at Ashford Castle there are the ruins of the old Cong Abbey to explore. You could easily spend several hours there just meandering.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
722 posts
I second everything Robert mentioned. I will add that, when we did the Hawk Walk at Ashford Castle we tried to visit the castle and grounds afterwards. We were told unless we are a guest, we could not even go in to the lobby (in fact there were signs all around stating this and there were security guards monitoring.) Also, do not plan to eat at the gift shop/cafe as you enter the grounds of Ashford - honestly worst sandwich (and food) I've ever had. Sandwiches are pretty simple but this was just...gross. Cong, Clifden and a myriad of other places along the route have much, MUCH better food.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
3118 posts
Lots of good advice from Robert and I definitely endorse his suggestion of the Sky Road drive from Clifden. On a sunny day it more than lives up to the hype.
If time allows do the short loop south of Clifden following the coast round through Roundstone with its harbour and possibly one of the best views of the Twelve Bens... (Take the R341, 342 to rejoin the N59 - it will probably add another hour to teh journey time.) .
In Cong there is a small museum about the filming of the Quiet Man along with a [replica][4] of the cottage used in the film.
As well as the abbey ruins, there is also the monk’s fishing station on the river, complete with the bell they rang to tell the kitchen they had caught a fish....
Posted by
Arlington, Virginia
561 posts
The scenic village of Leenane, just ten miles east of Kylemore Abbey, sits at the end of Ireland's only fjord on Killary Harbor at the foot of the Maumturk Mountains. Boat tours available. The Field and The Purple Door Cafe are good spots for a meal of lighter snack.
https://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/county/galway/killary-harbour/
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
2104 posts
I haven't used it, but there is an app for the Wild Atlantic Way. I don't know if it's GPS-based or not. https://atlanticwayexplorer.ie
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
245 posts
Great information. We do plan on doing the additional scenic drive from Clifden (time allowing) as well as stopping at the Connemara Visitor Center. Not sure about doing a hike, but possibly. Cong being a highlight surprises me, so I'll have to plan on spending a little time there. I did read about not being able to go inside Ashford Castle, and not a fan of large birds, so I think we'll treat that as a photo stop and just visit the gift shop/take photos, but NOT getting food there! Got it. :-) I think i found a nice pub in Westport to stop for lunch, so hopefully the timing is right for that.
Has anyone done one of the boat trips out of Leenane? I'm intrigued, but wonder if the scenery/time spent it's worth it. They're 90 minutes.
So, I'm assuming the consensus is this is all do-able in a full day drive? The sun will be setting at 8:30pm.
Thanks for all the great advice. If any others, keep them coming!
Posted by
Arlington, Virginia
561 posts
We've bicycled along Killary Harbor and into Leenane and Co. Mayo on the other side numerous times but have not taken the harbor cruise. Judging by the gorgeous scenery, I'd say it's definitely well worth it.
Posted by
Midway, UT
3257 posts
You might want to check whether it's possible to book a table for lunch or tea at Ashford Castle. That could be your ticket onto the grounds and into the castle itself.
Posted by
9 posts
Just finished this same drive. Our B&B hosts in Galway (https://www.frenchvillehouse.com/ was INCREDIBLE!) recommended Kylemoor Abbey. It did not disappoint. Lunch there was delicious, fresh, locally sourced and varied. Yes, it's a cafeteria, but an awesome one. You don't need a ticket to get lunch, and parking is free (rare bonus in Ireland). I would highly recommend stopping by the Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters (free) to your left before the ticket-required area. I hadn't seen the inner workings of an active enclosed order. It was cool to read about their mission, and there is a short video by their Abbess. Take the drive slowly; there are free-range sheep on the road. I second the Cong comment. We drove through on this past Sunday just as Mayo won the All-Ireland hurling championship. The atmosphere was electric. You can drive through Cong to Ashford Castle. Turn in, get pictures, then come out the other side of Ashford Castle grounds at St Mary's church. It's an active catholic church built on the ruins of a much older church. Super cool and nice free public bathrooms just around the corner.