Galway day or Kylemoore Abbey

Need a bit more info to give you a solid answer. Will you be at Ashford more than one day? If so, then I would opt for the drive thru the Connemara region. Galway is a nice city, but other than a quick lunch and a walk down a street that had cute shops and some street performers, we found more natural beauty taking Sky Road in the Connemara region (which is listed in National Geographic's 500 Journeys of a Lifetime book. The Burren as also interesting to us, right outside Doolin (if you are heading South). Adare (though very touristy and crowded) is worth a quick stop for its cute charm, and Adare Manor is a nice place to stop in for coffee (lovely gardens). Just depends on where you have traveled "from" to arrive at Ashford and how much time you will have and which direction you will travel when you depart. If you are heading South, the Ring of Kerry is beautiful (especially Conor's Pass)....we were glad to have a local driving there.

But, I ask if you will have more than one day at Ashford, because I think someone needs more than one day to really soak in Ashford Castle, enjoying the estate. I highly recommend doing the Hawk Walk via the School of Falconry right there at Ashford. Then allow time for just seeing the garden, having lunch on the terrace, making sure when you have breakfast that you do not have to "rush off" for your day. I will never forget the lovely service of having the silver domes over our breakfast plates removed simultaneously (we felt like royalty for the day).

All good advice from Maggie, particularly the suggestion to drive out along the Sky Road just west of Clifden - really spectacular on a sunny day
Would also suggest the short ferry ride from the village of Cleggan out to the island of Inishbofin, which was voted one of Ireland's best-kept secrets a few years ago.
Cleggan is a short ( maybe 15 minutes) drive from Clifden, and the ferry ride out to the island takes about 40 minutes.

A lot depends on whether you want scenery or shops...It may also depend on teh weather. If it is a sunny day then Connemara would win hands down for me!

Connemara is stunning, especially the Skye Road drive. Close by is Roundstone with its tiny harbour and marvellous views. I've driven past Kylemore Abbey but never stopped, so can't give a realistic comment about that.

Maggie,

No, only going to Ashford for one day. We arrive and sleep there and the following morning the guys are golfing and we are all doing and hawk walk.

Sounds like Connemara is worthy of our time more than Galway but weather dependent.

Thanks for your thoughts.

If you only have one day, I think you will enjoy Kylemoore Abbey more. The grounds and and surrounding area are beautiful, the drive out there is wonderful. The history of Kylemoore is very interesting and after staying at Ashford you will enjoy it just as much. You didn't mention which time of year you will be going. Hopefully the flowers in the garden are still there for you to enjoy! You will love the hawk walk, we are going back for our second one later this year. Also on property at Ashford, if the timing is right the morning of your hawk walk, you may also be able to take an early walk with the Irish Wolfhounds; Mulligan, Molly, and Dougal.

I have been pining to see Kylemoore Abbey for years so I think that’s a great plan. Galway will be there when we go back! We will be there in late October. We are going on the Hawk Walk around 11:30 am so hopefully those magnificent dogs WILL join us. I am deathly afraid of birds but oddly looking forward to this magical moment with these magnificent birds.

Thank you for your help!