Good evening, I have a week long group trip that l am going on in early October this year. Because the group trip is not a golfing trip, I am looking to come out a week early to drive around some and play some golf, checking out different golf courses. To keep from getting worn out, I was thinking about taking a day off around Galway and doing some sightseeing. Does anyone have a recommendation for a guide in the Galway area that could be available for a day? Thank you for the help.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2519 posts
Galway Tour Guide Association list three guides.
If you have a car, do you actually need someone to guide you for the day?
You could spend a day exploring Galway and Connemara by yourself. Drive along the coast to Roundstone with its pretty harbour and visit a Bodhran Maker in an old Franciscan Monastery. Continue to Clifden and do the Sky Road Drive, which on a sunny day is possibly one of the best short drives in the world). Next head for Leenane with a possible stop for Kylemore Abbey and gardens. Consider a short boat trip from Killary Harbour. Next head for Louisburgh along the road through the Doolough Valley, an area devastated by the Irish potato famine. - look out for the Doolagh Famine Memorial....Head along the coast to Wesport. Now head back to Galway - either the direct route back to Leenane and Maam Cross and Oughterard (with a visit to the ruined Aughnaure Castle.
OR take the longer way back using the B330 which potters down Loch Mask to Cong (anoother ruined abbey complete with a fiushing station on the river with a bell the monks rang to let the kitchen know each time they caught a fish...) Then head to Headford (with another detour for the lovely ruined Ross Errily Friary before ending back in Galway.
This will really let you see the best of County Galway and Connemara.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you wasleys for the reply and the link to the Galway Tour Guide Association, that was very helpful.
I have written down your directions and will look this over. I was looking at hiring a guide for the day, not so much for the driving, but the chance to hear some good stories, learn a little more history of the area. And maybe find out where the real hidden gems of the area are, something that might not come up in my online searches. While I love traveling and driving around on my own, I thought that taking a day with a guide would help make the trip more memorable.
Again, thank you for the help,