We will be in Ireland mid September and specifically in Galway for three nights for a base for day trips. One will be Inishmore and one will be one of the Cong, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara-area tours. I'm looking for help on whether we can wait until a couple days before to book to know possible weather -- we will have Saturday and Sunday for day trips so I was hoping if one day looked clearer we would use that day for the island -- or if you know such trips, ferry ride etc to fill up unless you book more in advance..In which case best plan is to just book and be ready for whatever weather comes. Also, so many options on the Connemara tours..I see lots of good reviews, but just in case you have a preferred tour group (or one to avoid) I'd love to hear your advice. First trip to Ireland so all of the sights are welcome, we just want to take in what we can and know we can only do so much. thanks!
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7357 posts
We were in Galway last September, our second Ireland trip, which seemed a less less busy time than our first trip, in June 2011. Both times we did our own agendas, didn’t book tour companies, so can’t offer tour advice.
But we visited Inishmore both trips, and spent a night both times. We got rain each time, intense but short one morning in June, even more intense and for most of the 2nd day the September trip. So you may get accurate forecasts, but in my limited experience it seems it rains a lot on Inishmore, and just hope for the best.
If your tour includes transportation, including to/from Inishmore, then they’ll have all the details. But we took a ferry our first trip, and flew the really easy and fast flight this last trip. Unless you’re hauling bicycles (as we did on our first trip), flying is the truly best way to go. Reliable, not dependent on calm seas, not excessively expensive but fast and it gives you maximum time on Inishmore, rather than spending time on the boat. Have a great trip!