THIS 1 DAY CONNEMARA TOUR INCLUDES; KYLEMORE ABBEY (photo stop), CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK & GALWAY CITY.
OVERVIEW
Connemara, in Galway, is a step back in time to the ‘real’ Ireland. Narrow roads lined with sheep, stone boundary walls on the lush green fields, the Gaelic language still being spoken in the linting Irish brogue; this is a tour that any visitor to Ireland must include on their itinerary.Connemara National Park covers some over 2,700 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bog, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens range.Much of the present Park lands formed part of the Kylemore Abbey Estate.
From the very moment you arrive, the Connemara National Park will without a doubt leave you speechless due to its mesmerizing beauty! This uniquely structured tour departs from Dublin everyday of the week at 6:50am and will have you back in town after a full day’s tour at approximately 7:00pm where you’ll have the luxury to reminisce about such an eventful day with fellow travellers! In addition, listed below is our detailed itinerary in order for you to have a more comprehensive inside-look at what our Connemara day trip tour has to offer…
Itinerary
6:30am – Depart Dublin
To begin, departure takes place outside the old stone church located on Suffolk Street (sitemap is available within the link to the booking page) which is the governmental tourist office near Grafton Street and is directly situated inside of the church. More specifically, the office is called “Dublin Tourism”. Once you’ve found your location of departure, you’ll begin your exciting new escapade across the west coast terrain of Ireland toward the celebrated town of Galway! However, before leaving you’ll meet your fun-loving and very knowledgeable tour guide who will introduce you to your fellow drifting travel companions!
10:30am – Killary Fjord
We now head off towards “Killary Fjord” which is the only fjord in all the land! Upon arriving, you’ll marvel at all the thriving mussel beds while looking out towards Mweelrea, the highest mountain range in the west coast of Ireland. Please note that during the high season ( April – October ) this tour offers a 1.5hour boat cruise down Killary harbour. During these months your lunch stop will be on the boat. During the low season ( November – March ) the boat cruise will not run and instead we will make our way over to the Killary Sheep Farm, a traditional site that hosts approximately 200 ewes and lambs that roam freely across the fjord. More specifically, the farmer Tom Nee casually explains how he mainly herds blackhead-horn sheep due to the fact that these creatures are better suited to survive living in the mountains under such harsh conditions. Here at the Killary Sheep Farm, visitors have the unique opportunity to observe local farmer performing a skilled sheepdog demonstration as well as displaying the “nack” of turf cutting.
12:45pm – Kylemore Abbey
Next we’ll make our way through the stunning Inagh Valley which is notorious for losing mobile service! Regardless, this is truly a remarkable site with ample opportunities to capture photo-worthy shots! To further explain, this distinctive setting is better known as the “Kylemore Abbey” which was once a prestigious female boarding school but now hosts nuns on retreat as well as welcoming tourists visiting from around the world! Here is where you’ll be allotted sufficient amount of time to enjoy the magnificent vistas. In addition, the estate is nestled away at the base of the Druchruach Mountains looking out to the northern shore of Lough Pollacappal and is highly regarded as one of the most romantic places in Ireland. Not to mention, the abbey is full of history, mystery and tragedy to explore!
3:00pm – Galway City
On your return to Dublin we will stop at one of Ireland’s best loved cities. Galway is young and bohemian attracting the weird and the wonderful from the four corners of Ireland and beyond. The streets are bustling with street performers and musicians which will keep you entertained during your time there.
7:00pm – Arrive back in Dublin
To finish off, we’ll arrive back in Dublin to reminisce about all of the exciting highlights!
