Hi: A friend of mine in Ireland told me to be sure to take the "scenic" route from Clifden to Westport. Do I assume that this would be taking the road to the west that goes through Louisburgh rather than the N59 (I think?)? Thanks for your help!

It depends how much time you have. I have done both the "direct" (relatively speaking)road and the road via Louisburge and both are delightful. Actually, its pretty difficult to find a road in that area between two point that ISN'T scenic.

I suggest you choose a sunny day, if possible, and take the Louisburg road on the way out (its more stark and deserted) and, assuming you are staying in Clifden, the direct road back.

Regardless, you will be overcome by the beauty of the area.

best regards ..Ger

I'd agree with your friend's advice.

Take the N59 from Clifden to Leenane. (This takes you past Kylemore Abbey.) Near Leenane, you can get the R335, probably signposted for Louisburgh. The drive bewteen Leenane and Louisburgh takes you through the Doolough Valley and it's pretty spectacular. Once you get to Louisburgh, it's a short trip along Clew Bay to Westport and you'll get to see Croagh Patrick on the way.

Holl,

Your friend is offering sound advice. The route inland from Clifden to Westport - heading west from Leenane towards Delphi and then on to Louisburgh - is highly scenic and evocative, very much worthy of your time. The drive from Delphi to Louisburgh contains stretches that have changed little since the days of The Great Hunger, and there are tragic events from that time that connect to this region. There's a desolate, bittersweet kind of beauty about this land, not unlike much of Ireland's west coast.

Should you get a chance, make a pilgrimage to the summit of nearby Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holiest mountain, strikingly situated on the coast between Louisburgh and Westport.

Best of luck.

Of the two central north/south routes through the Connemara, my favorite is the Lough Inagh valley. It runs from Recess to a point just east of Kylemore. It's a very short stretch though. If you have time to wind around, one way to go is Clifden to Kylemore, south through the Inagh valley, turn east onto N59 as if you were heading back to Galway.

Then turn north towards Leenane at Maam Cross. You can even take in the north shore of Lough Corrib to the town of Cong (The Quiet Man film location) on a fairly quick sidetrip.

Very scenic, this route.

David was correct in mentioning the Irish famine in relation to this area. If you want some history of a tragic event that happened here, do a Google search for doolough+famine. There's also a very simple famine memorial site along the road. Worth a stop for a few quiet minutes.

Thank you all--I'll get out my Michelin map and take your advice. I have to take a look to take this all in. I'll do the search suggested, so I know just what I'm seeing. Sounding very DUMB here--what is Croagh Patrick? Oh yipes--I'm such a novice!! But very thoughtful response--and thanks again...

Croagh Patrick is a mountain where St. Patrick is said to have fasted for forty days. It's the site of a pigrimage on 'Reek Sunday' at the end of July when thousands of people climb to the top. It's a sacred Irish spot. Take a look at www.croagh-patrick.com

To echo what David said about how little things have changed, I took a picture at doolough when I was there in 2002. Later that year I was in a pub in my homeown and saw a photo from exactly the same spot. Even the trees looked identical. There were three boats tied up, just as in my picture. The picture in the pub was taken in 1959.

Bill