Struggling to fill this day in Galway- please help

What I would especially love is a tour (even a very very long one) that stops at a bunch of scenic areas along the way.

I found one that went to Kerry but they don't do it in the Fall.

Any tours out there like that? Even if it means a long time on the bus. We just want to experience as much as we can, fully realizing we will not see it all or even a fraction.

I just don't want a wasted day.

There are lots of companies that do day trips from Galway. I did a day trip that included the Connemara area plus Kylemore Abbey. There wasn’t a lot of walking or stairs involved, and it was quite scenic. I got some of my best photos on that tour.

Anita,

I thought Connemara was all about the trails and hiking?

Can you provide some more details about what you saw exactly and who the tour was with please?

I'm scrambling!

The bus tours from Galway to Connemara do not go into the national park itself. They drive through the area and stop at Kylemore Abbey. I took a tour that also stopped in Cong. I think another tour company stops in Clifden. We used the Galway Tour Company for both the trip to Connemara and the Cliffs. They even picked us up at our B&B on Salthill. Both were great tours.

It's been a while for me but I think you are underestimating how long these tours will take. I believe the Galway ferry to aran islands will be shut down when you are there which means you have to go somewhere else to get there. The Aran islands will be an hour ride from galway to an hour long ferry, to probably a van that will take an hour to take you to dun aengus (well worth it, although requires walking on some rocky terrain, i liked it better than the cliffs I think) where you will tour the site and then eat (at the worthwhile restaurant) and then tour around for another hour until you get back to the main town where you wait for the ferry for another hour long ferry trip. You could possibly drive through some of the connemara after that, but I think of the Aran Islands as a full day trip from Galway and wouldn't describe it as a deserted island.

I did 3 nights in Galway when I went there which consisted of arriving at Shannon airport, driving straight to the cliffs of moher and through the Burren then spending the night in Galway (night 1). Day trip to Aran Islands, evening exploring Galway more (night 2). Day trip driving to Sky road and the Kylemore abbey and then back, stopping wherever we felt along the way (night 3). I wouldn't have wanted less time to do these things.

Toddling,

If we went to the islands we'd be taking the shuttle from Galway and then flying from there.

A car is not an option. We're fine with tours taking a long time.

I just have to figure out what is doable.

Sounding like Connemara and Clifden might be worth a shot. Will research that option some more.

Keep the ideas coming please. I'm unusually overwhelmed with planning this time around and you folks have never led me astray, so thank you.

I second Anita's suggestion for a Connemara / Kylemore Abbey day tour. A number of companies do them. I believe the one I used is called Wild Atlantic Way tours. The one I did several years ago gave an option of 3 hours in the national park or 3 hours at Kylemore Abbey. I chose the park but others on the tour chose and enjoyed Kylemore where there is not hiking or climbing.

There is also a hop-on hop-off bus tour option for the Connemara area that I believe starts in Clifden. There is a train from Galway to Clifden. However, if you have limited time to research options, the Connemara day tour would be simpler.

I’m pretty certain that there is not a train from Galway to Clifden.

Also you can contact your hotel and ask for recommendations for day tours. Some have arrangements with tours companies to pick up at the hotel so you don’t have to go to the bus terminal. This is really helpful if you aren’t staying right in the city center.

Very sorry, my mistake. I was thinking of the train to Westport which when I said Cllifden.

CD,

Would Westport be a good day trip if the Connemara idea doesn't feel right?

Loved Kylemore Abbey, we were there for a very short time and would have loved to spend more time. The apple pie is fantastic. Also, if you want a night activity and it is still running when you get there I suggest Trad on the Prom in Galway. But it only runs until Sept. 27.

Larlock,

Thanks so much for the suggestion! That looks like something we'd be into for sure. We'd be in town for the last performance.

Thanks again

PQ

I was going to suggest Trad on the Prom. We just came back from a trip there with no plans really to see anything specific. Ended up seeing the Cliffs of Moher on the way to Galway so that took out one thing we were possibly doing. My son found this show and booked it last minute. It was pretty good.

Trad On The Prom us fantastic, we enjoyed it on ourv45th anniversary and even got serenaded! Awesomecshow

Trad on Prom was very enjoyable evening