Ireland - Galway & Connemara
Connemara
Overview:
Galway is considered to be the most “Irish” of Ireland’s cities. Even with just under 80,000 people, it is Ireland’s fourth largest city. It has a concentrated downtown with lots of cultural, shopping and dining options that are very accessible. It is the halfway point of the Wild Atlantic Way, the gateway to Connemara and a jumping off point for the Burren and the Aran Islands.
Western Ireland contains most of the island’s notable natural landmarks or areas - Connemara, The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher to name a few. It is an area that has lots of areas that are barren, but still striking and beautiful.
What I Did:
Galway was our base for our first 2 days in Ireland. We stayed in The Docks area of Galway City, which gave us very easy and quick access to the city center and High Street. We spent the first day walking around the city, exploring its shops, markets and pubs, and walking along the river and waterfront. On Day 2, we left the city and did a loop of Connemara.
Our only planned stops on this drive were Kylemore Abbey and the town of Clifden. In between, we stopped along the way at any random site, scene or sheep-induced traffic jam we found. We made it back to Galway for the late afternoon in time to watch the Gaelic Football All-Ireland final in a pub. Mayo lost to Dublin, much to almost everyone in the pub's disappointment.
Clifden
Neighborhoods/Areas
Galway
Latin Quarter/High Street
High Street is a pedestrian only thoroughfare that is the heart of the Latin Quarter. It runs for a quarter mile from the River Corrib near the Spanish Arch almost up to Eyre Square, and it has a small network of smaller pedestrian only streets that sprout off of it. The area has a great mix of restaurants, pubs and shops that range from overly touristy to basic convenience.
The Claddagh
Small section of the city across the River Corrib from High Street, with a smaller collection of shops and restaurants.
Connemara
Clifden
The largest town in the Connemara region, Clifden offers a compact downtown with shops and restaurants. It also provides quicker access to some of the coastal islands - like Inisbofin - and the rest of the area than you can get if you stay in Galway.
Kinvarra
Coastal village south of Galway city that can serve as a gateway to The Burren region. Neighborhoods/Areas
Attractions
The coastal road along Ireland’s west coast is an attraction in its own right. You could easily spend weeks just meandering along this route. Galway is its midpoint, so you can use the city as a base for day drives.
Galway
High Street
Spanish Arch
Arch remaining from the former city walls that dates back to the 16th century
Galway City Museum
Local history museum with exhibits on Galways past from prehistoric up to the present day.
Connemara
Connemara’s primary attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape is beautiful despite the fact that it is relatively barren. The scenery largely consists of sweep, steeping mountains, narrow valleys, peat bogs and lakes. Taking time to explore - either by foot or by car - is well worth it.
Kylemore Abbey
The primary physical attraction of Connemara is Kylemore Abbey. Originally built in 1868, it has been a castle/private estate, nunnery and school throughout its history. It is now open to the public to view some of the interior of the primary building, secondary buildings and the grounds.
The Burren
The Burren lies south of Galway, primarily in County Clare. It gets its name from the Irish Boirinn, which means rocky district. That name is perfect for the area - it is a landscape of rolling, rocky hills and contains some prehistoric sites.
Galway
