Connemara Golf Club is located at Ballyconneely. Explore the rugged West as you drive through sheep-flecked Connemara, making sure you stop in the seaside village of Clifden for tea before taking the famous 'Sky Road' for ultimate scenic views. The road from the picturesque village of Leenane via Doo Lough to Drummin provides an unforgettable driving experience through the Connemara wilderness. Continue through the lively village Cornamona and take in the beautiful views until you reach the village of Clonbur. This spectacular 85 km drive is a good way to experience the landscape of North West Connemara. Get your camera out as you are about to embark on one of the most scenic drives in the world! Less than an hour’s drive from the city will see you in the sparsely populated expanse of nature that few tourists take the time to get to know. Day 3 | Connemara | Kylemore Abbey | Knock Drive through the scenic Irish countryside of the Connemara region to visit Kylemore Abbey. The coastal area between Wexford and Dungarvan is ideal for a leisurely, slower drive, with plenty of stops—at coves, sandy beaches, and tidal pools—to make along the way. Buried beneath the Connemara Mountain lies a way of life long abandoned and almost forgotten just waiting for you... At the far western edge of Ireland is found the serene and tranquil Renvyle Peninsula. Each route has connections to facilities, accommodation and, of course, wonderful views of unspoilt landscape including rivers, valleys, and lakes. Galway International Oyster Festival 2021. Connemara has without a doubt, the best scenic driving routes in all of Ireland! It was here on the 15th of June 1919, that John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown made landfall after completing the first ever trans-Atlantic flight. The Connemara Loop, which is part of the Wild Atlantic Way is a scenic route that will take you in a loop around beautiful North West Connemara. The Renvyle Peninsula is one of the most northerly points of Connemara, hugging the border of county Mayo and surrounded on three sides by … Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre: Scenic drive via the Inagh Valley - See 3,815 traveler reviews, 2,319 candid photos, and great deals for Galway, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. Sky Road Scenic Drive, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway on the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland by IG/jameslocouk. When you start the Connemara Loop you enter Joyce Country the name originating from one of the Galway tribe families who settled there in the thirteenth century. Walk the 55km linear Western Way and you will experience the wilderness of County Galway in an unforgettable way. The Sky Road is a 20km (12 mile) jaw-droppingly scenic loop route near the town of Clifden in the wonderful Connemara, Co Galway. Enjoy a circular drive of Connemara and Co Galway with its beautiful coastal roads. The loop takes you through small villages, prehistoric bog land, stunning coastal and majestic mountains. Connemara Green Festival – 2019; The Sky Road drIve is considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in Ireland.Although let’s be clear, there are countless beautiful drives in Ireland!But, Sky Road definitely one of the most memorable in the Connemara region. If you wish to experience the ultimate scenic drive, consider taking to the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,500km route along Ireland’s western seaboard from Co. Cork in the south to Co. Donegal in the north through regions like Connemara, The Burren, Galway Bay and Kerry. The Sky Road is a twenty-kilometre scenic loop located near Connemara’s biggest town of Clifden. We offer visitors to the region the ability to create their own holiday and experience the real Connemara. Follow the Loop and be taken on a journey through an ever changing landscape of majestic mountains, spectacular beaches, the wild Atlantic, mist covered lakes, pre-historic bogs and shady glens. 125 miles of US Route 1 runs over turquoise blue waters through the Florida Keys. Answered: Hi, we are driving to Sligo from Galway and plan to spend the whole day taking in as much scenery as we can. Far from the pressures of city life, it is a place where you can relax... As an example you could commence your trip at Maam Cross and cycle along the Loop towards Maam (8km) then onto the village of Leenane (14km). Take a scenic tour of Renvyle Peninsula and pass Killary Fjord, Ireland’s only fjord, on your drive along the loop. This is a superb drive, with bogs and beaches on either side. The ‘harbour’ is actually a fjord-like sea inlet, dominated by the mountain of Mweelrea. Turn off the main roads to discover Galway’s most scenic drives, with these five picturesque routes. This little village on the N59 road is located very close to Glendalough Lake. By interacting with any page, you are giving consent to set cookies. 7. Sparsely populated, Connemara has been by-passed by mass tourism, yet it is much-loved by poets, artists and writers. © 2020 Go Connemara — The Connemara Loop. Connemara is considered to be the land west of Lough Corrib. Connemara’s Sky Road and Omey Island. The Connemara Loop is the perfect year round holiday destination for a week, a weekend or a month for families, couples and back-packers of all ages. Recent Posts. Okay, we may be biased, but there are some pretty amazing roads in this part of the country. I appreciate any suggestions Thanks. The steep ascent along the coastal edge provides a wonderful vantage point with panoramic views of Clifden bay and its many islands. Inagh Valley is one of the most beautiful places for a scenic drive in Ireland. Sky Road: Scenic Drive - See 2,076 traveler reviews, 801 candid photos, and great deals for Clifden, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. The drive is a treat in itself as you continue along the Connemara loop. These are some of the best things to do in Connemara: 1. It’s just a short trip to Cong from here. 8.6K likes. Leaving Oughterard behind, drive westward towards Maam Cross, the famous central Connemara market cross roads. Quiet little roads wind through the majestic landscape and lead you from village to village. It’s a land of panoramic views, rivers, lakes, endless stone walls, myths and legends. Meet your local guide in Galway, and then hop on board a mini coach for a scenic drive along the Wild Atlantic Way. Here you can detour right to visit Ross Errily. Lough Inagh Drive (164km.102mls) Clifden - Ballyconneely - Roundstone - Toombeola - Derryclare lough - Inagh Valley - Cleggan - Claddaghduff - Clifden. The Sky Road drive in Clifden is a popular route in the Connemara region and has been described as being the most impressive coastal drive in the country. Mountains and lakes beautifully create a picturesque illustration perfect for an Irish postcard. The Yeats’ Driving Tour, Co. Sligo The Sky Road is a 20km (12 mile) jaw-droppingly scenic loop route near Clifden in the wonderful Connemara, Co Galway. The Sky Road in Connemara. Tourists stop … Contact Us. Not only has Connemara a vastness of scenic beauty spots, but it also, because of its location at the edge of Europe, has a notable history connected to modern day travel and communication. Mar 1, 2012 - The Connemara Loop is an 85km looped drive in North West Connemara taking in villages, coastal drives, valley, lakes and mountains along with festivals, historical points with food and accommodation along the way. Return to Headford and then to Galway, with a possible detour to the right to Annaghdown on Lough Corrib, with its ecclesiastical ruins. Looking to put together a "hot list" of scenic drives, hikes, pubs/restaurants, sites and favorite artisan souvenir shops for Connemara.. Christian McLeod. Leave Clifden taking the road South to Ballyconneely. Drive the Sky Road. Phone: +353 (0)95 22785 e-mail:info@guidetoconnemara.com. The approach to Leenane (Leenaun) is spectacular from all directions. From Cong return to Galway passing through Cross, and on past Glencorrib. For more scenic drives have a look at my channel. Croagh Patrick, Clew bay, the Maamturks in Connemara, and the beautiful village of Mulranny will give you the best reasons why you have to stay for a while, enjoy every single detail of the view, take pictures and even drive it in a little longer. 5. Top 10 Irish Drives: The best scenic road trips in Ireland. The peninsula is also a part of the Wild Atlantic Way driving route. O n the Road. One of Ireland’s great scenic drives, the Lough Corrib drive in County Galway is a circuit of an inland sea with ever-changing scenery, ruins, castles, sheep-lined roads and plenty of places to visit.. It certainly was overcast and might even look dull or less inviting but our Connemara loop drive on Sunday was the total opposite! You cross the border to County Mayo to reach this village, which was the setting for the film “The Quiet Man”. The area has four scenic driving routes to choose from - North, South, East and Central. Part of the Wild Atlantic Way scenic drive along Irelands west coast, the Sky Road peninsula juts out into the Atlantic against the backdrop of the 12 Bens Mountain Range. Leenane, at its northern tip and at the end of Killary Harbor with Ireland's only fjord, is its crowning gem, set between three mountain ranges. Greenery gives way to mountains, moorlands and lakes. Turn left and ss you drive the landscape changes dramatically. Paul Henry-esque landscapes abound on all sides as you travel north looking out over a sylvan landscape which surrounds the loughs and their small islands along the way. Driving westwards from Bearna, west of Galway City, is Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht region. Connemara still has that frontier feel, both physically and in spirit; after all, it teeters on the very edge of a continent, far from just about everywhere. Renvyle Peninsula. That’s a pretty lofty claim all in all. The circular route is 16km long and takes you out west from Clifden, onto the Kingstown peninsula, and back into Clifden via the N59. Here, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist appeared in August 1879. Leave Galway by the N59 for Moycullen village continuing on to the busy market town of Oughterard, one of Lough Corrib’s main angling centres. This journey along the south side of Killary Harbour is one of the best drives in Connemara and is part of the Wild Atlantic Way route. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Load up the car and hit one of the most unique and scenic roads in the United States. The Abbey is situated beside... Glengowla Mines offers a fun day out for all the family! Recess. Driving along coast road, there is a striking variation in the landscape. And although new and well maintained roads and motorways connect the towns of Galway, there are some spectacular alternative routes to explore the lesser seen, idyllic beauty spots around the county. Here take the left-hand... Killary Harbour is Ireland’s only true fjord and it extends 16km from the Atlantic coast deep into its head at the wonderful Aasleagh Falls. Irish drives don’t come sweeter - with views ranging from Inishturk offshore to the Twelve Bens inland. For a grand drive, the Connemara loop - from Maam Cross at the eastern end to Clifden in the west to Letterfrack, Leenane and back - takes you through, arguably, the most beautiful scenery in the country. Subscribe now to receive the latest news and special offers from the Connemara Loop, direct to your inbox. Set off along the southern shores with breath-taking views of Galway Bay, travelling through some of the most storybook villages in Ireland, marked by thatched cottages, dry stone walls, blanket bogs and galloping Connemara ponies. The vista is ever changing from day to day as the slightest change in weather is reflected beautifully in the lakes and mountains. 7. This epic road links all of the keys together, making it perfect for island hopping and getting to know the Florida Caribbean better. Enjoy. There is a photo opportunity at every turn as the... Kylemore Abbey, known as Ireland’s most romantic Castle is located in Connemara, Co. Galway and is the most visited attraction in the West of Ireland. The Inagh Valley road winds its way through majestic heather covered mountains and around picturesque lakes. If you wish to experience the ultimate scenic drive, consider taking to the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,500km route along Ireland’s western seaboard from Co. Cork in the south to Co. Donegal in the north through regions like Connemara, The Burren, Galway Bay and Kerry. On the left is the powerful Atlantic where the three Aran Islands of Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr are in clear view. A landscape peppered with quaint but lively villages where all the convenience of the modern day is available alongside an opportunity to step back in time to a more relaxed and friendly era. At Maam Bridge, take another right, and drive along by Lough Corrib. Does anyone have any suggestions for places to stop off along the way. Please like and subscribe. Getting to Connemara is pretty simple. The area between Galway and Lettermore is considered Galway’s cultural heartland and is rich in Irish heritage, culture and folklore. Headford is another angling centre and a busy town. Continue to the pilgrimage town of Knock. The Connemara Loop, which is part of the Wild Atlantic Way is a scenic route that will take you in a loop around beautiful North West Connemara. Sky Road Drive; Wild Atlantic Way; The Sky Road in Clifden is one of the most picturesque areas in the Connemara region. The Connemara Loop is situated in breathtaking North West Connemara, County Galway, Ireland and part of the Wild Atlantic Way. On the right hand side of this drive is the Partry Mountain range and on the other are the Maamturk range (meaning ‘the pass of the wild boars’). Scenic Connemara is an information page on all there is to do and see in beautiful Connemara. Now part of the Wild... We use cookies to enhance user experience, ads and website performance. Just take the N59 from Galway city to Clifden town and you’ll drive right through the heart of Connemara countryside. (Though it requires a small detour from the Loop, consider a drive on Sky Road near the town of Clifton for even more impressive views.) Scenic Connemara Ireland, Corrandulla, Galway, Ireland. From sights, activities, and all-year-round events to buzzing entertainment, culture, and culinary arts, Connemara has something for all ages and personalities. The road, which is on the Wild Atlantic Way driving route, winds its way in spectacular fashion along the northern side of Killary Fjord, through a series of valleys between the peaks of Ben Creggan and Ben Gorm. Guide to Connemara Market Street Clifden, Connemara Co Galway, Ireland. Once I described my general “lack of a plan” plan, he snacthed my pencil and traced a route on the map that would take me from the small town of Oughterard to my destination, Clifden, with what he claims is “the most scenic drive in all of Ireland” in between. Connemara Sky Road The ruins of Ross Errily Abbey are on the right by the Galway/Mayo boundary. See more ideas about Connemara, Scenic photos, Scenic. The Connemara Loop. Celebrate Mass in the Apparition Chapel at Knock Shrine. Turn right at Maam Cross, and as you drive north you will be surrounded by wonderful mountain scenery. From sights, activities, and all-year-round events to buzzing entertainment, culture, and culinary arts, Connemara has something for all ages and personalities. Continue through the valley until you meet the N59, take a sharp right then turn left signposted Rossroe. ( download Map & Brochure)Map designed by Ronan Coyle. Phot: Christian McLeod/Fáilte ireland. Beginning in the famous fishing town of Oughterard on Lough Corrib,... Book Now The Connemara Loop, to the North West of Connemara is one of the most scenic places to visit in the West of Ireland. To your right is Connemara, a scenic vista of bogs, valleys and lakes whose spectacular intricate coastline encloses the dramatic Twelve Pins (Na Beanna Beola) and Maamturk Mountains. 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