We (myself & 6 other women) will be visiting Ireland in May. We are trying to decide between a day trip to Aran Islands, Isishmore or a day driving in the Connemara region. Which do you suggest? Could you also suggest a good 5-6 hour driving route in Connemara. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Should have read OR not OF
Day trip Aran Island OR Connemara? Sorry

Never been to the Aran's, 'though I plan to do that one of these years, but most posters recommend making it a full day (and preferrably, overnight) trip. I can, however recommend a drive:
I pulled this from WWW.AAROADWATCH.IE
The driving time is a little on the conservative side, and doesn't allow for stops. You could shorten it up by deleting Clifden, but the entire trip is doable in one day (tho' if it was me, I'ld spend a night around Westport (Matt Malloy's Pub - owned by one of the Chieftan's would be a highly enjoyable evening). The R335 takes you past Doo Lough and is one of the most scenic drives in all of Ireland. You will have a lot of daylight in May. You should make the most of it with this trip.
Via: Maam Cross,Galway
Clifden,Galway
Louisburgh,Mayo
Westport,Mayo
Castlebar,Mayo

Total Distance: 163.0 miles
Total Time: 4 hr 8 min

Acc Dist Route Directions

0.00 0.00 N59 Start out at Galway,Galway
Follow signs Oughterard, Clifden N59
1.00 1.00 N59 Junction with N6
At traffic signals forward
7.50 6.50 N59 Moycullen


15.90 8.40 N59 (road to) Aughnanure Castle (on right)


17.20 1.30 N59 Oughterard


27.60 10.40 N59 Arrive at Maam Cross


- - - Section time 0:42, Total time 0:42
You have reached your destination.
27.60 0.00 N59 Start out at Maam Cross,Galway
Follow signs Clifden N59
35.80 8.20 N59 Recess (post office)


49.60 13.80 N59 Arrive at Clifden


- - - Section time 0:34, Total time 1:17
You have reached your destination.
49.60 0.00 N59 Start out at Clifden,Galway
Follow signs Westport N59
58.40 8.80 N59 Connemara National Park Visitor Centre (on right)


58.60 0.20 N59 Letterfrack


61.30 2.70 N59 Kylemore Abbey (on left)


70.80 9.50 N59 Leenane
Follow signs Westport N59
72.90 2.10 R335 Junction with R335
Turn left R335 (former L100) (signposted Louisburgh)
73.20 0.30 R335 Aasleagh Falls (on right)


78.80 5.60 R335 Delphi


79.80 1.00 R335 Doo Lough (car park)


84.80 5.00 R335 Cregganbaun
In 4.8 miles turn right
89.80 5.00 R335 Arrive at Louisburgh


- - - Section time 1:05, Total time 2:23
You have reached your destination.
89.80 0.00 R335 Start out at Louisburgh,Mayo
Forward (signposted Westport)
97.00 7.20 R335 Murrisk


101.90 4.90 N59 Junction with N59
Turn left N59 (signposted Westport)
102.40 0.50 N59 Arrive at Westport


- - - Section time 0:21, Total time 2:45
You have reached your destination.
102.40 0.00 N5 Start out at Westport,Mayo
Follow signs Castlebar N5
112.60 10.20 R311 Junction with R311
At roundabout take 1st exit R311 (signposted Town Centre)
113.30 0.70 R311 Arrive at CASTLEBAR


- - - Section time 0:14, Total time 2:59
You have reached your destination.
113.30 0.00 R311 Start out at Castlebar,Mayo
Follow signs Westport (N5) Galway, Roscommon (N60), (N84) along R311
114.00 0.70 N5 Junction with N5
At roundabout take 2nd exit N5 (signposted Dublin, Sligo)
114.80 0.80 N60 Junction with N60
At roundabout take 3rd exit N60 (signposted Galway, Roscommon)
115.00 0.20 N84 Junction with N84
Forward N84 (signposted Ballinrobe, Galway)
118.80 3.80 N84 Ballyhean


121.30 2.50 N84 (road to) Ballintubber Abbey (on left)


122.30 1.00 N84 Ballintubber


125.80 3.50 N84 Partry


130.60 4.80 N84 Ballinrobe Race Course


131.80 1.20 N84 BALLINROBE
Follow signs Galway N84
137.30 5.50 N84 Kilmaine


141.80 4.50 N84 Shrule


146.10 4.30 N84 Headford
Turn left
154.70 8.60 N84 Cloonboo


162.00 7.30 N6 Junction with N6
At roundabout take 3rd exit N6 (signposted Clifden, City Centre)
162.30 0.30 N84 Junction for Galway City Centre
At roundabout take 3rd exit (signposted City Centre)
163.00 0.70 N84 Arrive at Galway


- - - Section time 1:08, Total time 4:08
You have reached your destination.

OOps!
The trip was computed as starting from Galway City. The numbers to the left are total miles driven, the second numbers are mileage from last direction.

For example:
"27.60 10.40 N59 Arrive at Maam Cross"

The 27.50 is total miles driven so far, the 10.40 is miles driven since last directional (Oughterard), the N59 is the Route or Road number that you are on, and the directional is the name of the town or junction or landmark.

During the Famine, hundreds of starving tenants walked through the Doo Lough valley to implore their landlord for aid. When he refused them, they attenpted to return to there homes through the snow and storm, and many, if not most, of them perished of hunger and exposure on the way. When the Cherokee Indians heard about this 'Irish Trail of Tears', they were so moved as to send a sizeable contribution to aid the Irish people. Watch for the marker on the roadside.

Check out goconnemara.com. Lots of nice information about the "Connemara loop." I think Connemara is the most beautiful part of Ireland. I keep going back to that area! Have a wonderful trip!

I've done both - a day trip to Inishmore and a day driving in the Connemara region. Both were wonderful, but if I had to pick one, I'd probably go to the Aran Islands. Connemara is beautiful and the towns charming, but Inishmore was a highlight of our Ireland trip. If there is ANY WAY you could do both, that, of course, would be even better! Whichever you pick, you'll have a great time.
Karen

Connemara is one of my favourite places in Ireland...but so is Inishmore. Either place is fantastic, but I'd probably favour Inish mor slightly - Dun Aengus is fantastic!

I Agree. I go to Connemara a lot and I go to Inish Mor as well. I would take a day trip to Inish Mor and walk around rather than be stuck in a car all day. It's a very unique lifestyle and a beautiful natural place.

Dun Aengus is amazing I forgot about that cailin!

If you could do an overnight on the Arans it would be nicer. Weekend days on Inishmor can be pretty busy, but after the afternoon boats leave, it's pretty quiet they say.

Bill

I would like to thank all, who responded to my question, for the excellent advice, it is so kind of everyone & really helps to be able to ask a question to ‘those in the know’. Since both places are thought so highly of, I think I’ll let the weather be our guide, if it’s too rough to make the crossing to Inish mor we’ll do the Connemara Loop drive. Then I don’t have to make such a big decision. Thanks so much to Itallian Chauffer I will copy your driving directions to take along just incase.

If you do a search of Bill's screen name ( wojazz3 )and ARANS, I believe he posted some info about FLYING to the ARAN's, saying that the time was short and the price only a little more than that of the boats. I assume that would make the journey less weather sensitive. I only mention it because if the weather is too poor for the island trip, it may be even less condusive to sightseeing in a car.

shollier--I was going to make the same suggestion. And even if the weather isn't great for going to the Aran Islands, it will probably be fine for a drive around Connemara. A little rain actually adds to the Connemara experience!

I usually fly over and its MUCH easier. Its literally about 7 minutes as opposed to a rocky boat at times. They will call a taxi to take you to where the boat comes in or its a nice long walk if the weather is nice. I like to sail but ferries do my stomach in! Its a bit more but totally worth it in my opinion.

There's a website covering the Connemara Loop called www.goconnemara.com It covers a beautiful drive through the Connemara mountains, valleys, Killary Fjord which is stunning, coastal villages, lovely beaches, plenty of stop-off places for lunch or afternoon tea, Kylemore Abbey and more. Inis Mor is worth a visit as well...can you stretch your stay to 2 days? Have a great trip

You might consider a haf day to each: There's a ferry from Ross a'Veal to InishMore. It may be the same one you get if you take an Aran Islands 'tour' from Galway; but if you drive Galway - Ross a'Veal you could catch an early one and be back on the mainland in time for dinner. You are in the GaelTecht.

From Ross a'Veal, head north until you ntersect with the N-59 (about 35km) and take it west (about 50km) to Clifden.

TTT for Brad24