What could be more delightful than a picturesque journey through Connemara? It’s a delightful experience, enjoyable in every season, with a good chance of encountering some friendly sheep along your route.
- Sky Road
The Sky Road drive in Clifden is a popular route and has been described as ‘the most impressive coastal drive in the country’. Leaving Clifden town, pass by the beautiful Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, and within 400m, take a look back and you will see the skyline of Clifden town with the majestic 12 Bens providing your backdrop.
Continuing along the road, on the left, you will find a coffee truck, The Coffee Corral which has a range of treats, and hot & cold drinks, you will then pass by the ruins of Clifden Castle where the D’Arcy family lived until the 1850s when they sold the estate to the Eyre family. Access to the sea can be reached via a farm track and is within a ten-minute walk from the castle ruins.
The Sky Road separates into a Low Road and High Road and although the roads do meet up again a little further, the High Road is definitely worth the trek.
Taking you to heights of over 500ft, passing by the ruins of the old coastguard station, you will reach the Sky Road peninsula car park where you will see the stunning views of the surrounding rugged coastline and the islands of both Inishturk and Turbot-it truly will take your breath away!
Once you have digested this stunning scenery, continue for another 3km to meet up with the Low road where you can either turn off to enjoy the local beach, Eyrephort which lies on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, or continue along the road to drive by Streamstown Bay, the Connemara Marble quarry and eventually join up with the N59 main Clifden/Westport Road.
- Roundstone Bog and Ballyconneely Loop
From Galway, continue along the N59 and before you take the turn left onto R341, on your righthand side you will see Derryclare Lough and the popular viewpoint of Pines Island.
The R341 will take you through the Connemara Bog Complex which is home to a great diversity of life. The route heads south towards Roundstone and Inishnee Island, Toombeola and past the Ballynahinch Estate. On approaching the popular fishing village of Roundstone, you will see the island of Inishnee which is also accessible by car and the wonderful beaches including Dogs Bay and Gurteen.
Following the R341, the next village is Ballyconneely where you can grab a bite to eat at Keogh’s Bar and Restaurant or across the road at Sweet Nothings Café. Here you will find more of Connemara’s top beaches like the Coral Strand, Mannin Bay and Dun Loughin, as well as the Connemara Smoke House here you can purchase the finest traditionally-smoked Wild Atlantic Seafood and also stop for a game of golf at Connemara Golf Links. Continuing through the village towards Clifden, you will reach the Ballinaboy Bridge where when you turn right, you will arrive along another unspoilt highlight of Connemara which is known as the narrow and winding Bog Road. The Bog Road is roughly a 20km route and can take you back to Roundstone or back onto the N59 via Ballynahinch.
- The Galway Gaeltacht
From Galway city, start your route by travelling through the wonderfully colourful Salthill and head towards the Coast Road (R336) where you will drive through the Gaeltacht areas of Barna, Furbo and Spiddal (An Spideal). This area of Galway is one of Ireland’s largest native speaking regions so on your journey, you will see the homes of Irish media Raidio na Gaeltachta and TG4 or if you are looking for the island experience, you can grab the ferry to any of the Aran Islands from the docks at Rossaveal. From Rossaveal you can continue along the R336 towards Screebe and onto Maam Cross or take a left at the village of Costello along the R343 which will take you to Carraroe. Carraroe is home to the beautiful Blue Flag beach the Coral Strand and what makes this beach so special is that the beach is not composed of sand but of coral like formations of lime.
Back onto the R336, from Screebe you can take a left towards the village of Rosmuc where you will find the historical Pearse’s Cottage, the summer cottage built by leader of the 1916 rebellion against British rule, Patrick Pearse. Continuing along this route, you will drive through the south Connemara villages of Kilkerrin, Carna and Cashel before re-routing back onto the N59 at Recess or to Clifden via the Roundstone Bog and Ballyconneely Loop.
Please note the Galway Gaeltacht is a longer route to Clifden but is certainly well worth the drive. With its vast areas of unspoilt countryside portraying the wild and rugged landscape, let this journey show you the Connemara we are lucky to call home.
- Clifden to Leenane
Take the N59 road eastbound from Clifden. The drive itself is picturesque, taking you through the Connemara National Park, after approximately 16 kilometers on the N59, you’ll reach Kylemore Abbey, you can spend some time exploring Kylemore Abbey, a stunning Benedictine monastery set against a backdrop of mountains and forests. The abbey also features Victorian walled gardens, a gift and craft shop, a restaurant, tea rooms, and a beautiful lakeside setting, making it a stunning pitstop on your way to Leenane.
Continue on the N59 towards Leenane and you will come across the Misunderstood Heron, one of eight of the coolest food trucks in the world, where you can stop off for a bite to eat and take in the stunning views of the Killary Fjord. The Misunderstood Heron is situated across the road from the Killary Adventure Centre.
Once you’re finished your bite to eat you are going back on the N59 driving along the Killary Fjord. You will come to the picturesque village of Lennane where you can enjoy a refreshing drink in Gaynors Bar, known by many for being in the film, The Field.
- Renvyle to Leenane
The Renvyle Peninsula offers panoramic sea and mountain views and starts after you leave the Quaker village of Letterfrack where you can stop at Kabo Coffee in Letterfrack for a sweet treat and coffee before heading off.
The Letter peninsula is a slightly longer route to Tullycross and begins after a left turn at Derryinver bridge. The route is beautifully rugged and brings you towards the end of the peninsula where the ruins of Renvyle Castle and loops back towards the village of Tully where on a clear day, you can see Croagh Patrick.
From Tullycross take a left at the local church along the coast road where you can stop off at Lettergesh Beach and Glassilaun Beach and then continue along Lough Fee until you reach the N59 Westport road.
Take a left towards Leenane village where you will drive through the only fjord in Ireland, the Killary Fjord. You can plan a 90-minute boat tour on the Connemara Lady which starts at Nancy’s Point, just 2km west of Leenane Village on the southern shore of the Killary, the cruise the takes you westwards for 45 minutes before turning at Fox Rock (InishBarna) for a leisurely return to the purpose-built slipway.
Unspoiled mountain and water views of the Killary, Twelve Bens, and Mweelrea guide you right into the heart of Leenane village where the movie The Field was shot in the late 1980s.
- The Inagh Valley
Take a right off the N59 after Recess village where the roads run along the Inagh Valley. Known for its look left-look right route, the Inagh Valley offers dramatic views of mountain, forest and bogland with its reflections for all passengers of the route to enjoy in the Lough Inagh Lake. The vista is ever-changing from dawn to dust and throughout the year, passers by will get to see life along the route in the form of local sheep and their young. Stop along the lakeside and watch the fishermen out on the lake try for their catch of the day or take out your walking boots and head up towards Maumean. If you are feeling peckish you will find Phoebe’s Food Truck on Saturdays and Sundays in Inagh Valley with a range of sweet treats and hot drinks.
The Inagh Valley is one of the routes along the Connemarathon and offers competitors a wonderful vision to run along.
- Corrib Drive
Take the N59 toward Maam Cross and Oughterard. You will find side roads that head right leading to Lough Corrib.
Lough Corrib is the second-largest lake on the island of Ireland. Just before you come to Oughterard, on the right, you can take a trip down to Glengowla Mines and take their underground tour of the mines, try cutting some turf, or watch a sheep herding demonstration.
Take the left at Maam Cross Village if coming from Clifden through Maam Valley until you reach Maam Bridge. On your way make sure to keep an eye out for The Quiet Man Bridge. Take in the beautiful scenery on the R345 which takes you to Cornamona, Clonbur which leads you to Cong where you will see the famous statue of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. The R345 will take you to Leenane which is on the southern shore of Killary Harbour.
- The Aughrus Peninsula
Take the N59 north from Clifden and turn left onto Claddaghduff.
Following the route which overlooks Streamstown Bay until you reach Claddaghduff village where on your left you will see Omey Island. Access to the historic island, where Saint Feichin had a settlement, is based on tidal times so remember to always check these before attempting access.
Continuing past the village of Claddaghduff, the road will take you right around the stunning Aughrus Peninsula where you will pass by wonderful coastal beaches like Sellerna and Rossadillisk and drive straight into the wonderful harbour village of Cleggan where you can stop of for some pony trekking, day trips to Inishbofin Island or even set up for the evening and enjoy some local caught fresh seafood in Little Fish or Olivers Seafood Bar.
