day-trips from Galway
 

My husband and I are suddenly travelling to Ireland in two weeks! Our daughter is working in Galway for 7 months. Here is our plan: We fly to Dublin and spend one night at Jury's Inn Christchurch. See as much as we can of Dublin next day, pick up our car at 4pm and drive to Galway. We'll spend 7 nights in Galway, the first three at Forster Court Hotel, the next four at Ardawn House B&B. Then we drive back to Dublin, tour around a bit, and stay at Clontarf Castle in Dublin.

We'd like to do several roadtrips from Galway, with perhaps one overnight trip. Where should we go?

Any suggestions or comments on any of this would be so welcome.

Thanks!

For the overnight trip, I'd see the Connemara area. I'd drive the coast road (be sure to see Roundstone) out to Clifden and stay overnight. The next day, I'd see Kylemore Abbey and Leenae and then head back towards Galway via Oughterard.
Other day trips could include a visit to the Aran Islands and a trip south to visit the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. If you're interested, there's also the Natl. Famine Museum in Strokestown (Co. Roscommon) which is east of Galway.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I am a journalist and should know so much more than I do about Ireland --but time is limited and I have just stumbled upon this wonderful web-site.

I wish that everytime you mention a place I could just click on it and learn more about why it's a "must-see".

Our daughter has been to the aran Islands twice..and loved them. But I know I would not survive the boat-trip. Terribly predisposed to motion-sickness!!! My daughter wants to travel up to the northwest--- Sligo ---for a seaweed bath!!!

Thanks again,
Tricia

Well, if you do the seaweed baths in Sligo, I hope you do it in Enniscrone. In addition to the baths, there's an absolutely beautiful and enormous beach. The town is popular with Irish vactioners, but doesn't seem to have been discovered by many non-Irish visitors.

I just returned yesterday from 9 days in Ireland - my first time and I LOVED it. My recommendation would be the opposite of the other person-I would go south into County Clare. (I haven't been north of Galway so they may be right - maybe you want to do 2 day trips!) The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren are breath taking sites. The Cliffs will take the better part of 2 hours to get to, but you will drive right through the Burren to get there. Unbelievable and unlike any other part of the Country.

Everyone is different, I preferred the Connemara without a doubt. The breathtaking mountains, the beautiful Fjord, the lack of other cars on the road. The weather is breezier and as they say on the weather forecast "fresh". The Kylemore Abbey is so beautiful and the gardens are so peaceful, I wanted to sketch every flower. The gardens are fragrant and lovingly taken care of, they are as important as the Abbey. Only three rooms are open to the public in the Abbey. The real attraction is the garden, and the Victorian Garden which is accessible only by bus from the Abbey. There is a little gothic church which has angel gargoyles on the outside and I loved that. The marble used in the church is amazing because of the inspirational use of colour. I liked the cafe for strawberries and cream and "proper coffee", and the gift shop, although prices are little high for everything except for books which are always a good deal in Ireland. The Burren it's true, had much better deals but I think I did too much shopping anyway. It's takes away from enjoying the trip. You have to give yourself at least an hour and a half to see the Abbey and grounds, then time for a snack. It's a really an all day trip.

If you love flowers and gardens, Ireland is a dream. Everything is in bloom now. It looks like a tropical island paradise.

Clifden is a friendly town, and it's easy to get a seaweed bath at many resorts and spas but make sure to book ahead. I don't know where there is one near Clifden or Galway, the ones I know are farther away but there are many, many spas in Ireland, many of the resort hotels have a spa. There is fantastic Castle Hotel AbbeyGlen which cost $100 pp USD including Breakfast and Dinner. (Clifden). Gardens, Gardens, Gardens, I am completely committed to gardening now.

Whatever you do, don't go to Cong, Someone will try and talk you into it. Sure Pierce Brosnan was married there, and there is a standing stone. Just don't go it's a long drive and there is NOTHING to do.

Julie

Tricia,

I have to agree with MaryZ about the things to do while in Co. Galway. Am sure too that your daughter will be the best guide. I personally love to visit castles so always go to Aughnanure Castle in Oughterard north of Galway and Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara south of Galway. There's also Athenry Castle which I really want to go to.

I would also go to Clare to see the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Both places are definately "must sees".

For a good web site that has all this and more info

www.goireland.com

Check out their Things To Do and See in the menu on the left side of the page. Do not try to go to each county and then click Things to Do. I've tried and can't get it to work for individual counties.

If you want a good book to SEE pictures of Ireland then get DK Eyewitness guide or, my favorite, DK's: A Portrait of Ireland which is the same as the softcover book but much larger so you can see the many photos they have. Also if you can, get your hands on A Day in the Life of Ireland. Amazing shots in there.

Galway is one of my all time favorite counties. I really can go on and on. If you'd like more info or have specific questions then please email me.

Enjoy your trip!

Wendy
[email protected]

It is probably a 5 - 7 hour drive from Dublin to Galway, which seems to me like a long drive to begin at 4 pm, after doing Dublin for the day.

Really? A 5 to 7 hour drive from Dublin to Galway? I had no idea! I thought it would take us 3 hours at the most.

Thanks so much to all for the help --- This is a marvelous tool for travellers!

Cheers,
Tricia

I figure the drive from Dublin to Galway as about 3 - 3 1/2 hours.

I usually make it in 3 1/2 to 4 hours depending on traffic, road constrution and where in Dublin leaving from.

Tricia,

If you leave Dublin at 4 or 5pm on a week day then it will take you some time to get out of the city. Should you pick up your car at the airport then you won't have to mess as much with traffic although there will always be traffic on the M50.

It can easily take you 5-7 hours to drive to Galway IF you are like me and want to stop and look at stuff all the time. However, you should be able to make within about 3+ hours (after getting out of Dublin and depending on the day - Friday traffic is going to be a bit heavier...) to Galway.

I spent a night in the Forster Court Hotel and enjoyed the stay very much. Of course the room is really just a room when all is said and done but the food there was pretty good and it was very convenient to Eyre Square and the main shopping area.

w

We have been to Ireland 6 times. My husband and I plan to go back soon!
Besure and go to the connnemara area
(get a piece of Commemara marable) There is a neat shop in Recess.The road from Leenane to Aasleagh to Delphi and on to westport will take your breathe away (R335)! There is a great guest house in downtown Clifton that is nice--Du Rea?? I can't come up with the correct name and we loaned our material to friends. It is a wild pink/purple color on the cornor. It is really nice inside. You will find that you can't judge a place in Ireland by the outside of the building. I also agree that Roundstone is pretty. Great shops--you must purchase a bodhran here!
In Dublin take the hop-on/hop-off tour.
You also have time to tour the Burren, Cliff of Moher. Have a pint in Doolin at Gus O'Conners pub (Gus doesn't own it any more--food is good)
Have a great trip.

Just got back from there and second the reply for Connemara region with Kylemore Abbey. The Arien Islands wwere also very nice. Another day trip would take you into County Claire driving through the Barron and on to the Cliffs of Moher.

The driving on all of these trips takes some "getting used to" for the raods are very narrow and winding. Try to find out the route (direction) that the bus tours take of the region that your are planning to tour. Drive in the same direction as the busses which will avoid meeting them coming in the opposite direction on the narrow roads.