Hello. We (family of four with 2 teen boys) are getting very excited for our upcoming trip to Ireland in a couple of weeks. After spending time in Dublin, Kenmare and Dingle, we will be spending one night in Liscannor to see the Cliffs of Moher and then traveling to Clifden for two nights at the Quay House. The last full day, we will be driving to Shannon to spend a night before an early flight home the next morning. What would be the best routes or side trips to take to see Connemara? What can we see on the way to Clifden and what could we do as a day trip on our second day? Thanks for any input!
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I would recommend driving the Sky Road (specifically the Upper Sky Road) from Clifden. This will take you past Clifden Castle. It shouldn't take too long, maybe 1 hour all around plus stoppage. We did it right before sunset and had a beautiful view up top from the viewing area. We could even see dolphins! We did not drive the lower sky road, but you could do this as well, though I don't know if the view will compare. Clifden Castle is along this route but it seemed to be in the middle of someone's field, and we were much more interested in the view from atop in time for sunset.
In terms of routes, the N59 will taken you up to Clifden from Galway. It's pretty much the only way up past Galway. I'd also recommend taking the N59 past Clifden over to Kylemore Abbey in the Connemara National Park as part of a half day. This is a lovely scenic drive. I'd also consider making a ring back via the R344. This was one of the absolutely stunning drives of our trip. It connects back to the N59 to make a ring. I think this may take you a morning because there is not much to see at the abbey and gardens, but it is lovely and worth the trip. We got there first thing, before the tourist buses from Galway, and by the time we were done with our tour of grounds and abbey, the buses were just arriving so we headed out. They do have a cafe, walled garden and chapel as well. Another site of interest relatively close by (probably about 1 hour from Clifden) would be Ashford Castle near Cong. We did a hawk walk there with the Ireland School of Falconry, and it was great! We are in our 30s, but I saw a lot of families were there. Your boys might enjoy that. They also have horseback riding and the like. You can book it by googling the Ireland School of Falconry and emailing them directly (or calling).
We stayed at Ballynahinch Castle, which offered a good bit of outdoors activities like fishing (both fly and sea), shooting and hiking. I know that there are some fishing excursions from Clifden as well, but I don't have much info on that.
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OP
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Thank you so much for your detailed response. Such helpful information here! Looking forward to seeing this amazing place.