Would Galway or Westport make a better base for Connemara?
 

I'm trying to decide whether Galway or Westport would give us the best location for 4 days of exploring the Connemara region in September. I wonder if the traffic in Galway will present problems for day tripping or if Westport in September could be out of season quiet. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thank you, Deborah

It is possible to stay in Connemara!

I agree with Padriag, there are so many wonderful places to stay in Connemara....but, if you must choose between the two, then I would pick Westport because of it's more central location for great daytrips. It's a cute town, too.

--Annie

And I'd pick Galway, so where does that get us?

If your budget runs to it, there are some very nice country house hotels in Connemara, and one of the few benefits of the recessionary times in which we are living is that they have been offering some good deals.

With no slight intended to anniemackie ( and one who HAS based in Westport (after two nights in Carraroe, near Rossaveel), I would recommend Padraig's advice.

He knows of which he speaks:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ra-weekend.cfm

Bob

No slight....we all have our preferences...and I certainly haven't based in Westport. Maybe I'm biased because we had trouble driving in Galway and didn't in Westport. Or, it could be all those cute bridges and the river running through the middle of Westport. In any case, I could only hope to know as much as Padraig about Ireland, and would certainly trust his judgement!

DeborahAnn, have you mapped out your daytrips to see which is closer to where you want to visit?

--Annie

Thank you for your comments. I've been using several guide books and in particular the Green Michelin. There seems to be more principal sights closer to Westport as determined by Michelin. Michelin gives Westport and Galway equal importance as recommended places and Connemara is highly recommended.

I thought Connemara was a national park, more secluded and Galway or Westport would give more access to restaurants, museums and other places of interest. I'm just trying to determine where to go and how long to allow for each of our stays.

For our 3 week trip right now my plan is

2 days Drogheda
4 days Connemara
5 days Killorglin
3 days Kinsale
2 days Kilkenny
2 days Wicklow area
4 days in Dublin

If we stay near Galway we can visit the Cliffs of Moher, if we stay near Westport, we might be able to detour there on the way to Killorglin

Thank you for providing the link to the Connemara thread. Deborah

Drogheda? What brings you there? It's not noted for the sort of things that appeal to visitors, even though it has quite a nice local museum that is worth a couple of hours. If you want a base for the Boyne Valley, Slane is worth considering.

Connemara does have a National Park. The visitor center gives a good overview of geology, flora and fauna of the region. There are nice hikes there. However, Connemara is much more. It is the region from Galway out to the national park. It is absolutely lovely and there is so much to see!

However, Westport has lots to see and do as well!

One thing you might consider is that Galway to Kilorglin is a much more reasonable drive than Westport to Kilorglin.

Thank you for your comments.

irishface, if we stayed in Westport and wanted to visit the Cliffs of Moher would you recommend either accepting the long drive to Killorglin or take a day away from either the Connemara visit or Killorglin to stay one night near the cliffs. I don't know how reasonable (or un) the full day drive would be. My husband and I take long driving trips in the US so being in the car together is not a hardship ;;)

padraig, my plan is not to stay in Drogheda but nearby at Smarmore Castle. The thought of staying in a castle is very appealing and Smarmore seems very reasonable in price. If not Smarmore, I'll look for a place in Slane while in Boyne Valley.

I read the thread Bob provided about your weekend stay in Connemara. Your description is so beautiful and it just calls a person to slow down and take the small roads in the area.

anniemackie, thank you for your comments and I enjoy just writing your name, its so lilting!! Deborah