Self drive loop from Galway - feasibility and which direction CW or CCW?

That' a long day by our standards, but feasible. I don't think you have to add more than another hour to the drive to compensate for slow driving campers, livestock and tractors. The Sky Road might be a little slower, and there's Clifden Castle to explore. I'd guess the Killary fjord is fairly sheltered, but I always try to do boat trips early before the wind/waves build. Cong has Guinness Tower and other things to do. On the way back to Galway from Cong, don't miss Ross Erilly and maybe Kilbannon Church, although that adds more driving time, or you could take the western side of Loch Corrib and see the Quiet Man Bridge and Aughnanure Castle.

Depending on you other itinerary plans, I'd be tempted to split it into two days and add Connemara Nat'l Park and overnight near Killary. You might even spend a few hours on Inishbofin.

Not knowing your interests, and where you're coming from and going to after Galway makes advice pretty clumsey.

Thanks for getting back to me @jjgurley!

We only have 2 nights in Galway so this would have to be a one day drive at most (the day prior we’ll be arriving at Shannon Airport and driving to Galway with stoops at the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin, and the following day we’ll spend the day on Inis Mor).

Originally looked at going into Connemara but as we aren’t really big on hiking, thought against it.

To add some context per your note, we’re big history and wildlife lovers. Not big on hiking but appreciate the natural landscape (hence the plan to take a boat trip in Killary Fjord). After Galway, we head to Dublin before visiting Belfast in Northern Ireland and then leaping over to Scotland and England.

Your estimate of four hours driving is reasonable. The only thing likely to upset that is if you encounter a funeral (these are massive events in Ireland and can bring a place to a standstill...) Obviously you need to factor in times taken for the cruise and sheepdog demonstration. My prefernce would to do this clockwise visiting Clifden first. make sure you do the Sky Road drive - on a good day this must rank as one of the best short drives in the world. Cong is worth a stop - for its ruined abbey and the monk's fishing station with a bell for the monks to let the kitchen know if they caught a fish. The john Wayne fiolm 'The Quiet Man' was folmed here and is a major tourist attraction with a reconstructed cottage and museum. Ross Errily Friary over looking the River Shannon is delightful and is open daylight hours.

One advantage of June is that you get long hours of daylight. Have an early start and definitley go for it!

Fabulous, thanks @wasleys!

We’re definitely planning to make a whole day of it so we can break up the driving time.

How long would you suggest to spend in / around Clifden?

Trying to figure out how best to time everything to fit in both the boat tour and the sheep herding demo!

Probably not a lot of time in Clifden - a wander round should take no more than an hour - maybe even less...