We arrive at Shannon Airport at 4:30 PM. Our accomodations are a private home called Jessica's cottage on the high road above Clifden town, and we plan to drive there from Shannon after arrival. We will use the house for a week to venture out to see what sights we can. Any suggestions for day trips from Clifden, or tours?

You don't say what date your arriving. That would help. The drive from Shannon to Clifden is about three hours. It is not a hard drive once you get through all the roundabouts around Galway but if your arriving in the winter at 4:30 you might want to stay around the airport the first night as it gets dark very early. If you have good Wx. the Connemara National Park is nice as is a boat ride out to Inishbofin Island. Have fun.

A few suggestions:

1) Drive along the R341 to Roundstone and continue on to the R336 back up to the N59.

2) Westport via Louisburgh and the Doo Lough Pass but return on the N59

3) A trip out to Clare Island, rent bicycles to tour the island.

4) In addition there are several single track roads that are fun to explore.

5) There are a number of good walks in the area such as the Omey Island

6) Inishbofin, as mentioned

7) Leenane and Killary Harbour for a cruise.

Don't miss a trip to Inis Mor, or one of the other Aran Islands - they are fabulous.

I suggest Sky Drive, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park, Cong village and Achill Island.

Westport was my first thought along with Cong.
The drives along the coast roads are amazing - the colours of the sea against the bright white shell & sand beaches. The isolated cottages that have their own piers for boating into town in winter when roads are closed with snow.
The drive into Galway passing Spiddal.
The cathedral parking in Galway is used by everyone despite the notices.

These are all good suggestions. Also be certain to drive up Renvyle Peninsula, which you will find nearly opposite the entrance to Connemara National Park in Letterfrack. It such a neat little drive. And drive up to Cleggan. Try as much as you can to drive on the little back roads. They are nice little adventures with surprises at every turn. Watch the movie, The Field--it was filmed at Leenane which is on Killary Harbour. You'll go through there when you go to Westport via Louisburgh, which has been suggested and is a don't miss thing to do. A week in Clifden is a great way to spend a week!!

Consider a trip out to Inchagoill Island on Lough Corrib. You can catch a boat from either Oughterard or Ashford Castle.

Bill

The Inchagoill trip is very pleasant. The schedules from Oughterard and Cong are integrated so that you can go from Oughterard, spend about an hour on the island, go on to Cong, spend about an hour there, and then return. Great if you like going on water.

Have you been yet?
My family are staying at Jessica's in April and we are wondering what you thought?

Happy Londoner, Our trip is Mar 10 to 17, 2007. We are making final plans now, and are spending a week in Marbella, Spain prior to Jessica's. House pictures look great. We are giving up some of our warm Arizona weather for the anticipated cold.

Happy Londoner, We just returned from clifden and Jessica's cottage. We had a group of seven and the house was very nice and accomodated our party very nicely. The description of the house was embellished some, but was still very nice. One nice feature was that it is an easy two block walk into town. Hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did. The suggestions from all of the posters here were very helpful and we appreciated them very much.

Thanks for your update dsody.
We are going this Saturday. We'll let you know what we think.