From Galway: Guided tour of Connemara with 3 hour stop at Connemara National Pk.

Overview

What you’ll do

Tour vehicle departs Merchants Road, Galway, outside the Kinlay Hostel at 09:30. Please present 15 minutes prior to departure.

Turning left into the Claddagh, St. Marys Church on your right, has been a Dominican Church for nearly 500 years. A romantic legacy of the former Claddagh fishing village is the Claddagh Ring, the traditional wedding ring of the villagers and ideal Galway gift or reminder of your visit to Galway.

Salthill is a vibrant area overlooking Galway Bay, the breathtaking backdrop and stunning scenery includes the famous 4km long Galway Promenade offering views of Galway Bay and the Clare Hills with several small beaches separated by rocky outcrops along its length. A local ritual is to ‘kick the wall’ at the promenades end to signify completion of your prom walk.

Set between timeless moorlands and the blue Atlantic Ocean, the coast road meanders westward through the picturesque villages of Barna and Furbo to the cheerful Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) village of Spiddal (An Spideal).

The village of Spiddal (An Spideal) on the shores of Galway Bay is a picturesque Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) village. It is home to many traditional thatched roof homes, scenic coastlines, beautiful beaches and has a charming traditional appeal. Spiddal is an area which still manages to value the culture and traditions of Gaeltacht heritage.

Once home to Bruce Ismay, CEO of White Star Lines and Titanic survivor.

The Connemara landscape along with the Wild Atlantic coastline has inspired many writers and musicians including French singer / songwriter, Michel Sandou’s popular hit ‘Les lacs du Connemara.’

Derryclare Lough is a freshwater lake at the entrance to the Inagh valley. This is a popular viewpoint for visitors to Connemara and a great place for photo opportunities of Pine Island.

Connemara stretches from Galway Bay in the south to Killary Harbour in the north, taking in the rugged peaks of the Twelve Bens, the gentle waters of Lough Corrib and the wild beauty of the Inagh Valley. Connemara is home to some of Irelands’ finest beaches with wide stretches of pure white sand lapped by the Atlantic Ocean.