Top 10 Places to Visit in Connemara

Here are our top 10 places to visit in Connemara. You won't get them all done in a day, that's for sure! So give yourself plenty of time to visit some or all of them - we know you won't be disappointed!

Download Top 10 Places to Visit in Connemara (70 kb PDF) >>

Opening Hours:
Summer – Mid March to November 9.30am – 5.30pm
Winter – November to Mid March 10.00am – 4.30pm

More details on Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden:
http://www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie
Telephone: +353 95 41323 / 41054
Address: Kylemore, Connemara, Co. Galway
Email: Info@kylemoreabbeytourism.ie
GPS Coordinates:  53° 33’ 41.99” N,   9° 53’ 17.09” W

2. Connemara National Park
With over 2900 hectares of Connemara wilderness, this national park boasts scenic mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands, woodlands and the Diamond Hill overlooking Letterfrack. Enjoy the audio visual presentations, exhibitions, Connemara Ponies, Tea Room, picnic areas, Diamond Hill walks (fantastic new pathway which brings you to the top) and Children’s Playground.

Opening Hours:
Admission is free and the park is open all year round.
The Visitor Centre is open daily from March to October from 9.00am to 5.30pm

More details on Connemara National Park
http://www.connemaranationalpark.ie/
Telephone: +353 95 41323
Address: Letterfrack, Co. Galway
GPS Coordinates:  53° 33’ 04.13” N,   9° 53’ 40.94” W

3. Connemara Heritage & History Centre
Located close to Clifden and at the base of some of Connemara finest mountains, this locally owned and ran historical centre gives you an education on the history, culture and traditions of Connemara. Highlights of the centre include a guided/self guided tour of a traditional Irish cottage and farm (well worth a look!), reconstructions of a crannóg, a ring fort and a clochaun, historical audio visual presentation, Connemara Ponies and more. Also enjoy the restaurant and craft shop. 

Opening Hours:
Open daily from April to October 9.00am – 6.00pm

More details on Connemara Heritage & History Centre:
http://www.connemaraheritage.com
Telephone: +353 95 21808
Location: Lettershea, Clifden, Co. Galway. 5 miles from Clifden on Clifden to Galway Road (N59)
GPS Coordinates:  53° 28’ 39.23” N,   9° 53’ 54.18”

4. Inishbofin Island
On a fine day there’s almost no better way to spend in Connemara than on Inishbofin Island. Inhabited for thousands of years, this island lies 7 miles off the mainland and is a favoured spot among botanists, geologists and environmentalists. Highlights of the island include a Cromwellian 16th Century Barracks, safe sandy beaches, angling, traditional Irish music, cycling around the island and great food and drink from a surprising selection of bars and restaurants. You need to catch the ferry from Cleggan to get to the island, sure why not have pop into the pub before you take the ferry!

How to get there:
Access to island by the daily ferry service to Inishbofin all year round from Cleggan village. For timetables and more information on the ferry service:
T: +353 95 45819/94
E: info@inishbofinislanddiscovery.com,
W: www.inishbofinislanddiscovery.com

More details on Inishbofin Island:
http://www.inishbofin.com/
Telephone: Inishbofin Community Centre (Reception) +353 95 45895
Address: Inishbofin Island, Co. Galway
GPS Coordinates:  53° 36’ 50.28” N,   10° 13’ 18.46” W 

5. Clifden Town
Clifden, the well situated capital of Connemara is one place you’ll surely end up when you are in Connemara. A friendly bustling tourist town located on the west coast with a great shopping scene with dozens of shops such as jewellery, fashion, antiques, artisan, crafts, gifts, boutique designer stores, music, outdoor, Irish knitwear and woolens, jumpers, shoes, hardware, groceries, and many more. Clifden also boasts a cracking nightlife with traditional Irish music, song and dance festivals throughout the year as well as music sessions in the pubs ranging from Traditional Irish, rock, jazz and classical. Other highlights of Clifden include a great bars and restaurants, a nightclub, a cinema, a castle and much more! All is all you’ll definitely be in Clifden at some stage!

More details on Clifden Town:
http://www.clifdenchamber.ie/
Address: Clifden Co. Galway
GPS Coordinates:  53° 29’ 20.85” N,    10° 01’ 12.97” W

6. Connemara Ocean & Country Seaside Visitor Centre
Just 5 minutes from Letterfrack on the Renvyle Road you will be at this centre. Here you  can enjoy the museum, angling trips and the glass bottom boat.  The museum has over 250 exhibits and displays local maritime history, there is a 2 hour angling trip every evening (weather permitting) and there is also a one hour trip on the purpose built glass bottom boat to explore the magnificent Ballinakill Harbour with the Twelve Bens and Tully Mountain as a backdrop. The centre is also a great spot for something to eat with the Harbour café specialising in wholesome home baking for lunch and afternoon tea, with spectacular scenery to be enjoyed. 

Opening Hours:
Open daily March to November.

More details on Connemara Ocean & Country Seaside Visitor Centre:
See online: Connemara Ocean & Country Seaside Visitor Centre >>
Telephone: +353 95 43473  /  +353 86 1991988  /  +353 87 6461198
Location: Derryinver, Letterfrack, Co Galway (5 minutes drive from Letterfrack village on the Renvyle Road)
GPS Coordinates:  53° 34’ 22.28 N,   9° 58’ 21.30” W

 

7. The Sky Road & Clifden Castle
Just outside Clifden town is the Sky Road and Clifden Castle (follow the sign to Abbeyglen Castle Hotel). The Sky Road is a scenic route high above Clifden Bay and promises excellent views on a clear day. Nearer the start of the Sky Road route is Clifden Castle – home to the founder of Clifden. It’s best to walk to this castle from Clifden rather than drive – there’s no parking places near the castle whatsoever! Once at the castle you could have a picnic and also take in the splendour of Clifden Bay. The Sky road itself is about 8 miles, so follow it along and you will loop back to Clifden.

More details on Sky Road and Clifden Castle:

Sky Road on the web >>
GPS Coordinates:  53° 29’ 20.47” N,   10° 01’ 41.44 W

Clifden Castle on the web >>
GPS Coordinates:  53° 29’ 30.15” N,   10° 03’ 23.34” W

8. Connemara Smokehouse
This is Connemara’s longest established smokehouse and is locally owned and run. One hour summer tours are available demonstrating the filleting, salting, smoking, and packaging of salmon. Multi award-winning, this smokehouse smokes wild and organic salmon, tuna, mackerel kippers and sometimes cod, trout and eels and is one of Connemara’s best known seafood brands and makes for an excellent gift. The smokehouse itself is located on Bunowen Pier will excellent views of the Twelve Bens and Bunowen Castle.

Opening hours:
Open all year round Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Closed for lunch 1-2pm and closed on seasonal holidays and bank holidays

More details on Connemara Smokehouse:
http://www.smokehouse.ie/
Telephone: +353 95 23739
Location: Bunowen Pier, Aillebrack, Ballyconneely, Co. Galway
GPS Coordinates:  53° 24' 18.00" N,   10° 7' 0.00" W

 

9. The Connemara Loop
Think places to visit rather than just one place because the Connemara Loop allows you to discover the many hidden gems throughout North West Connemara. From villages to valleys and quite mountains down to the coast, the Connemara Loop route trip takes you on a journey through the heart of North West Connemara. Start your journey by bike, car or by foot (for the brave) at Letterfrack and head for the village of Tully. Be sure to stop of at some of the finest beaches in Connemara: Lettergesh beach, Glassilaun Beach and more. Continue on your journey to the picturesque village of Leenane which lies on ‘Killary Fjord’ the largest fjord in Ireland. Leenane has some lovely pubs and cafés. For further photo opportunities continue on from Leenane to Maam Cross, then Recess then the lonely Inagh Valley, on to Kylemore and then back to Letterfrack. 

More details on the Connemara Loop:
http://www.goconnemara.com/
Location: North West Connemara. Begin and end at Letterfrack
Download official Connemara Loop route map here >> (1MB)
GPS Coordinates (for Letterfrack):  53°33’11.83” N,   9° 56’ 55.99” W 

10. Roundstone
The harbour village of Roundstone is also a must for the Connemara visitor. Highlights of Roundstone and the surrounding area include: the famed Dogs Bay & Gurteen Beach, Roundstone summer music and festivals and the local seafood in the bars and restaurants. Be sure to approach Roundstone from Clifden on ‘the bog road’ route to enjoy this special area of conservation which offers excellent of the Twelve Bens Mountain range. If returning again to Clifden, we suggest continuing on through the village of Roundstone onto Ballyconneely, then on to Clifden, a route which hugs the coast beautifully.

More details on Roundstone village:
http://www.roundstone.ie 
http://www.roundstonesummerfest.com
GPS Coordinates (Roundstone village): 53° 23’ 50.69” N,    9° 55’ 04.80” W

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© Connemara Coastal Cottages - 2010

Disclaimer: The suggested places to visits above are suggestions only. Visitors should only choose activities which suit their own particular ability. Connemara Coastal Cottages will not accept any responsibility for accidents, injuries or loss that might occur from following these suggested places to visit – visitors participate at their own risk.