Connemara
Discover the ‘savage beauty’ of Connemara 🌄
Oscar Wilde described Connemara as a savage beauty and they say when you visit Connemara you “experience the real beauty of Ireland”. It’s located in the north west corner of County Galway and is an area of desolate beauty, incredible scenery and some interesting attractions, which combine to make Connemara a really beautiful place and a place close to the hearts of Irish people and visitors alike.
The distinct region of Connemara can be found in the north west corner of County Galway. Connemara is considered to be the land west of Lough Corrib. On the north side of Connemara is Killary Harbour, the south side Galway Bay and the west side the Atlantic Ocean.
Explore unspoilt landscape
You really get the feel that Mother Nature is ‘at home’ in Connemara and with such a beautiful unspoilt landscape, it’s no wonder that it’s a playground for outdoor activities. What better way to admire the scenery and take in the fresh country air than enjoying some horse riding, cycling in Connemara or hiking in the Twelve Bens mountains of Connemara. Or how about some fishing, golfing, or watersports? Below are some of the main questions visitors to Connemara ask.
Connemara FAQs
Is Connemara worth visiting?
How do you get from Galway city to Connemara?
Can you drive through Connemara National Park?
How far is it from Dublin to Connemara?
How to get to Connemara
By Car / Bike 🚘 🚴: Getting to Connemara is pretty simple. Just take the N59 from Galway city to Clifden town and you’ll drive right through the heart of Connemara countryside. Another popular route to take is the coastal route or the R336 from Galway city. This route is also known as the Connemara Loop – a 45km breathtaking drive or cycle of ever-changing landscape and scenery. Driving or cycling means you can stop where and when you want and really get off the beaten track. You’ll know you’re in Connemara when you enter a vast beautiful bogland, but as you travel along you’ll notice how the landscape becomes a mixture of rivers, lakes, woodlands, rich meadowlands, rugged hills, dramatic mountains and as you near the coast you’ll stumble across a stunning unpolluted coastline of sandy beaches and blue waters.
By bus 🚍: The main bus connections between Galway and Connemara is operated by Citylink and Transport for Ireland.
Citylink | Transport for Ireland |
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Clifden to Galway City (Route 923) Departs: Clifden Library Bus Stop, Market Street Drop-off: Galway Coach Station Daily from 7am, 9:15am, 12pm, 1:15pm, 3pm and 6:30pm* Clifden to Cleggan (Ferry Drop) | Clifden to Carraroe (Route 432) via Roundstone, Carna, Rosmuc, Costello Departs: Clifden Library Bus Stop, Market Street Drop-off: Eurospar Daily 8:50, 13:30 and 18:10* Carraroe to Claremorris (Route 431) via Screebe, Maam Cross, Clonbur, Cong Departs: Eurospar Drop-off: Train Station Road Daily from 11:25 and 15:15* Info: www.transportforireland.ie |
*Bus times subject to change, check with operators to confirm.
Main Connemara Attractions
Connemara is also peppered with some very interesting attractions like the Alcock & Brown Memorial, Kylemore Abbey & Walled Victorian Gardens, Connemara History & Heritage Centre in Clifden, Glengowla Mines in Oughterard, Dan O Hara’s Homestead and the 40,000 acre Connemara National Park. Listed below are the main attractions in Connemara.
Dining in Connemara 🦀 🍴
There are many wonderful dining options to choose from after a day exploring Connemara. The towns and villages of Connemara provide a range of eateries serving everything from traditional Irish food to exotic Asian street food to the freshest seafood around. Clifden, the main town and capital of Connemara, known for its breathtaking vistas and rich culture, is a hotspot with some of the finest restaurants in the area. Here we provide insight to some of the best restaurants in Connemara as well as the fantastic eateries that are scattered around the region, including in the villages of Roundstone, Cleggan, Letterfrack, Ballyconneely and others.