9 Amazing Things To Do in Connemara Ireland

There are some wonderful things to do in Connemara Ireland.

And if you’ve been reading the Wander Your Way blog for a while, you know that this is actually one of my favorite parts of Ireland.

I think there are a few things every traveler should do while in Connemara — those experiences that should not be missed.

So let’s get to this amazeballs list.

But first…just in case you don’t remember…

 

Where is Connemara?

First let’s get this straight: Connemara is not a county.

And we typically break down Ireland into counties as that’s how the Irish do it.

Kind of like states for the US or provinces for Canada.

So…

Connemara is actually part of County Galway — it starts around the town of Oughterard and Lough Corrib and stretches west.

When you look at the map you can see that it has a jagged coastline filled with lots of little inlets and that the interior is more mountainous.

What it doesn’t have is fertile land or any big cities.

But what it does have is lots of coastline, lots of peaty bogland, a couple of mountain ranges and some charming villages.

 

The best things to do in Connemara

So if you don’t know what to do in Connemara then here is your list.

These are the 9 amazing things to do in in this slice of Ireland that I highly(!) recommend.

Plus 1 bonus experience which I’ll explain when we get there.

Ready?

 

Drive, walk, run or cycle the Old Bog Road

This road can be accessed from the West just a wee south from Clifden along the R341 near Ballinaboy.

Or you can access it on the East side just a bit north of Roundstone, again off the R341.

I find it easier to spot on the East side.

Anyway.

This wee road takes you through the peaty bogland that is so prevalent in Connemara.

In fact, the Old Bog Road is surrounded by the Roundstone Bog conservation area.

And this bog is known as a blanket bog.

What is this?

Blanket bogs are natural areas that are filled with all kinds of living things — from plants to animals.

They’re often equated to rain forests in that there is so much life going on in them.

And they are important to maintaining the local ecology.

You can make a loop drive with the R341 and the Old Bog Road.

Or you can park at one of the pull offs (there aren’t many) and walk along it.

Apparently if you start at one end, run to the other, then turn around and go back you’ll have run a half marathon.

So if running is your thing, then go for it.

It’s just a wee, rolling road without any real hills.

You can also cycle it.

The views are stunning across the bogland to the Twelve Bens — one of 2 mountain ranges in Connemara.

My favorite thing about the Old Bog Road is that there are all kinds of myths and legends around this wee road.

It was used by smugglers.

There are ghosts along the road.

Many Irish still think it’s haunted.

So if you believe in all this, you may not want to be here at night or at dusk.

But don’t miss the Old Bog Road as it’s really one of the best things to do Connemara.

 

Drive, walk, run or cycle Sky Road

Yes.

Another road makes my list of amazing things to do in Connemara.

Sky Road is about 12 miles (20km) around.

The views to the sea and the Twelve Bens are magnificent.

This drive begins and ends in Clifden, the so-called capital of Connemara.

Around the heart of Clifden you’ll see the signs for Sky Road.

Follow those signs!

When you hit the ruins of Clifden Castle the road splits — Lower Sky Road and Upper Sky Road.

I think I’ve done both although the last time I drove it in 2017 I took the lower road.

The lower road has some fabulous views.

But the upper road has slightly better views simply due to the fact that you are a tad bit higher.

Many folks walk, run or bike this road.

So as a driver, be aware of this.

If you go in the morning, the sun will be behind you as you drive west.

Evening means the sun will be out in front of you as it sets over the sea.

Regardless of which route you take or when you do it, you won’t be disappointed.

 

Climb Diamond Hill

OMG 😮

I love this hike.

Best thing to do in Connemara?

Maybe.

There’s no doubt that the views are amazeballs.

Wait.

I’m getting ahead of myself.

Let’s start at the beginning.

Diamond Hill is located in Connemara National Park which is near the town of Letterfrack.

It’s not a mountain, but is truly a hill at 442m/1450ft.

With the Twelve Bens looming to the East, Diamond Hill may not seem like much.

But it sits on its own and has a distinctive look to it.

And it’s much more doable for most folks than hiking up one of the Twelve Bens as those require route finding and are much higher in elevation.

The trail up Diamond Hill is not difficult, just rocky in places.

It’s definitely well-marked so you have no fear of getting lost.

And the views from the top are stunning — even if the fickle Irish weather is being, well, fickle.

You can make a loop hike out of it with one of the lower trails making it about a 7km hike.

I really love this hike.

And I’d love to do it again.

 

Explore the Renvyle Peninsula

The Renvyle Peninsula is one of those under the radar destinations in Connemara.

You don’t read much about it in the usual travel guides.

I personally think it’s a not-to-be-missed experience in Connemara.

You can make a loop drive out of this or just zig zag along the roads — because it’s really impossible to get lost.

Visit Renvyle Beach.

Take a walk on this beach with its stunning views and fun tide pools to discover.

Drive to the end of the peninsula where you’ll see the remains of Renvyle Castle and have views out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Take a journey through the interior where you’ll see Tully Mountain and Tully Lough.

Stop in Tully or Tully Cross for a bite to eat.

Or pack a picnic and take it to Lettergesh Beach.

Don’t miss Glassilaun Beach (which is next on our list — because it’s pretty special).

Stop by Lough Fee as you finish your drive and drink in the Connemara landscape — peaty bogland, mountains and sheep!

Renvyle isn’t that big and it’s not quite the loop drive like the Ring of Kerry.

But it’s under visited and has some awesome scenery — from mountains, bogland, loughs, beaches and craggy coastline.

It’s one of those things to do in Connemara that you really don’t want to miss.

 

Walk on Glassilaun Beach

So I alluded to this in the section above.

But I wanted Glassilaun Beach to have its own spot on the list of the best things to do in Connemara.

Renvyle has 3 beaches.

And while Renvyle Beach and Lettergesh are both lovely, Glassilaun is gorgeous.

First of all it’s down a wee road so it’s a bit more isolated.

You’ll follow signs for Scuba Dive West but will also see signs for Trá, which is beach in Irish.

Secondly, Mweelrea —a peak just across the border in County Mayo — looms above it at the North end.

Thirdly, Glassilaun looks like something from the Caribbean.

It’s a crescent-shaped sandy beach with turquoise colored water.

I know my jaw dropped when I laid eyes on it.

It’s simply stunning!

My advice is to pack a picnic and sit out on the beach, weather permitting.

It was chilly and windy the day I was there, but the sun was out.

I walked the entire beach.

And I reluctantly left.

I’m pretty sure I could have stayed longer, just soaking in all the beauty.

Ruth, the owner of Hillside Lodge in Clifden (where I was staying) told me it was her favorite.

I can see why.

Don’t miss Glassilaun Beach.

 

Stay in Clifden — have dinner and listen to some music

I think so many folks do a drive through or around Connemara.

They may base themselves in Galway City and just make a drive around Connemara.

Or they may drive through it on their way from the Cliffs of Moher up to a spot like Westport in County Mayo.

But stay here in Connemara.

There are lots of choices scattered about, but Clifden will offer the most in the way of amenities.

And it’s a fun, authentic and eclectic town.

Clifden is definitely one of the best places to stay in Connemara and in all of Ireland.

I recommend a stay at either Hillside Lodge out on Sky Road (about 1km from town) or Sea Mist House right in town.

I’ve stayed in both.

Then have dinner.

Want a good pub dining experience?

Then I recommend Mannions.

Up for something a wee bit nicer?

Then make reservations for Darcy 12.

To top off your evening, stop by Lowry’s Pub where you’ll be treated to amazing music.

And if you want a pint or wee dram as you listen, by all means, do so.

My last piece of advice is to stay a couple of nights.

One is simply not enough!

 

Booking.com

 

 

Drive through the Lough Inagh Valley

This is another drive that makes the best drives in Ireland list.

And it’s really an amazing thing to do in Connemara.

I will preface this by saying that good weather will make this drive worth it.

If it’s raining, then you won’t get the wow factor.

And if you’re as lucky as I was, to see the sunshine, then you’ll get the full wow factor.

As the name suggests, this drive does skirt along Lough Inagh.

And as lovely as this lake is, it’s more about the surrounding peaks.

There are 2 mountain ranges in Connemara — the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks.

This road, the R344, cuts in between these mountains.

The Bens will be to the West and the Maumturks to the East.

You can pick up the R344 from the main N59.

And you can pick it up on the southern end or the northern end.

If you are coming from Clifden and choose to pick up the R344 from the south, you’ll see the turn off on your left just before you hit the settlement of Recess.

Coming from the north side, you’ll see the turn off on your right just a short bit after Kylemore Abbey and its lake.

I think the best way to make this drive is from the south.

You’ll soon reach the lake.

There are spots to pull off and walk to the lake.

One of the best spots is at the south end of Lough Inagh where you’ll see a road that leads to Connemara Mountain Hostel.

Just after that there are some small pull offs.

You can walk along the grassy area and take in the lake and the peaks.

It’s gorgeous.

A bit further up the road is Lough Inagh Lodge which looks absolutely gorgeous.

They have a car park across the street and there are paths that lead down to the water.

It’s a wonderful spot to get out and stretch your legs or even stop to eat a snack you’ve packed for the trip.

As you make your way out of the narrow valley you’ll come to more open spaces where the sheep graze and where you’ll some wee streams running through the fields.

The Bens will loom off in the distance.

The Inagh Valley Drive is not-to-be-missed!

 

Drink Connemara Whiskey

I actually found this whiskey in the States.

But drinking this peaty whiskey in Ireland is special.

Now it’s not made in Connemara but is made in County Westmeath by the Kilbeggan Distillery.

However this whiskey is made to capture the taste —  the essence — of Connemara.

And Connemara Whiskey does this.

I always say it tastes like the West of Ireland — and yes, specifically, Connemara.

It’s one of the few peaty whiskeys made in Ireland as peaty, smoky whisky is more common in Scotland.

So, when you stop in a pub in Connemara, be sure to try a dram of Connemara Whiskey.

And you’ll swear you are truly drinking Connemara.

 

Take a cruise on Killary Fjord — or take a kayak tour

Killary Fjord is the northern edge of what most folks consider to be Connemara.

It’s a narrow strip of water that may or may not technically be a fjord.

Regardless, it’s quite stunning as it’s quite surrounded by mountains.

Admittedly, I’ve not gotten out on the water of Killary yet.

But it’s on the list.

For most folks, taking a cruise is going to be the best way to take in the beauty of the landscape.

There are 90 minute tours out on the water where you’ll hear about all that you are seeing around you — from the mountains to the inhabitants of the water.

For more adventurous souls, you can take a kayak tour of Killary Fjord.

And you can be a beginner to do so.

Whatever you choose, do get out on this unique body of water.

I always find spots to stop as I drive around it, taking many photos along the way.

And I remember the first time I saw Killary Fjord with my friend, Aedín.

I was definitely taken aback with how gorgeous it is — and how it reminded me of photos I had seen of the Norwegian fjords.

So getting out on Killary Fjord is a must for your list of things to do in Connemara.

 

Bonus: Drive through the Doo Lough Valley

Or you can bike it if you want!

So the Doo Lough Valley which I’ve written about is not in County Galway but in County Mayo.

But so many folks feel this southern part of County Mayo is an extension of Connemara — a kind of Connemara Annex.

Which is why it’s a bonus thing to do in Connemara.

Anyway…

I’m not going to go into detail as you can read this post on the Doo Lough Valley.

But it is a hauntingly gorgeous, narrow valley with a lake — the Doo Lake.

The lake is surrounded by peaks and typical peaty land and yes, sheep grazing along the side of the road.

It’s a not-to-be-missed drive in Ireland if the weather is decent.

Just take the R335 off the N59 at the closed end of Killary Fjord.

You’ll enter the valley shortly after you come to the settlement of Delphi.

If it’s lashing rain, you may want to skip it.

But even under moody, Irish skies, it’s well worth it.

 

Are these the best things to do in Connemara?

I think so.

Although I’m sure some of you might want to chime in on some other things to do in Connemara.

As I explore more of this unique slice of Ireland, I know I will add to the list.

And if you’re traveling to Ireland — and specifically to Connemara — be sure to get this guide that I’ve written on this amazing spot in Ireland.

 

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