Connemara covers a huge area of Co. Galway and there is so much to see and do here. We’re lucky that from where we live we can actually take day trips to this national park, although it does require about 4 hours of driving which might be a little longer than most people would “day trip” for! We hope one day soon to stay a couple of nights in the area to be able to revisit a lot of these places as they are just that good. If we were staying overnight, I’d probably choose accommodation in or around Clifden. Full disclosure, Julian and I did have a kid-free overnight in Clifden back in September 2016 and it was so relaxing and wonderful! We stayed at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel and I have such fond memories staying up late and listening to traditional Irish music in the hotel bar. It’s the perfect hotel for a couple’s getaway.
Now, I’ll get back to focusing on family friendly activities in Connemara.
DAY 1: Drive to the Connemara National Park Vistor Center, which is easy to find with google maps.
SIDE NOTE: One word of caution about google maps in Ireland (for non-Irish people reading this guide), it will always bring you on the shortest route to your destination, which is definitly not always the best route. It doesn’t take into consideration the quality of the road. In Ireland, roads are designated with ratings, M is motorway and these are easy to drive on and very good; N is national road, these are also very good and generally plenty wide and easy to navigate. R is for regional road and depending on where you are, can become quite narrow and winding and just take more concentration for the driver. L stands for link road and generally require one car to pull in to allow oncoming traffic to pass. They’re incredibly narrow, have many blind turns and they may have grass growing up the middle. So as a non-native driver, I generally avoid L roads like the plague. Well, google maps has tried to take me down many an L road, but I’ve learned to just stop and reroute. There is probably a setting within the app to avoid L roads, and it would do me well to figure that out.
Okay back to the itinerary.
There is a large car park at the Connemara National Park Visitor Center which is where you park to hike Diamond Hill. The scenery here is breathtaking. We brought our 5 year olds in early March 2020 and just hiked the lower loop which was not very strenuous, but we can’t wait to go back to hike all the way to the summit. Our kids aren’t quite ready for that yet, but hopefully in the next couple of years we can do it. The lower loop wouldn’t accomodate a buggy as there are steps, but you’d be able to easily manage the hike with a hiking backpack or sling of some kind.
After your hike, drive to the Misunderstood Heron in the Killary Fjord for either lunch or just coffee/tea and a baked good. It’s a food truck that boasts all homemade fare, and everything we have tried so far has been divine. Just be aware that it’s popular and sometimes they understandably run out of things. They have several picnic tables for outside dining, and we have “dined” in our car before when we’ve been there in the lashing rain. I would really like to go on a boat ride with Killary Fjord Boat Tours sometime soon, they’re docked just a little ways down from the food truck. The views of the fjord from land are epic, but I bet they would be even better from the water.
On your way back to Clifden stop at Renvyle Beach. We genuinely think that it might be the most beautiful beach we’ve been to in Ireland (but if you’ve read a few of my guides I have said that before!) At Renvyle Beach climb on the rocks, play in the sand, and if it’s warm, take a dip in the ocean, the water is a turquoise color and the surrounding scenery is stunning.
DAY 2: Take a drive on the Sky Road Loop. You can access the loop from Clifden and the whole thing only takes about 25 minutes to drive. There are signs directing you to the Sky Road from Clifden, but it’s also easy to find with google maps. You’ll probably want to stop off and take some photos along the way. There is a scenic overlook called Point Amharc Atlantic Fiáin Sky Bothar, which is also easy to find if you type that into google maps.
After the drive, stretch your legs by wandering around the beautiful town of Clifden. Then drive to Roundstone for a nice lunch. Don’t forget to walk around the town and to the Roundstone Harbour, it’s just picturesque. We have had an incredible meal in O’Dowd’s in Roundstone in the past and would highly recommend it. After lunch, visit Dog’s Bay for the afternoon for swimming and sandcastle building.
DAY 3: Drive to Omey Island which is about 22 minutes from Clifden. Unfortuantely we have not yet visited this island, but we’re dying to and hopefully will by the end of the summer 2020. It’s a tidal island accessible by a sub-sea “road” (which is really just firm sand!) either on foot or by car. It is only accessible from 2 hours before low tide to two hours before high tide – always check the tides before visiting as you will be stranded if the tide comes in while you’re on the island! If you choose to walk to the island from the mainland, park at the car park for Claddaghduff Church, if you choose to drive across the firm sand then park in the car pak at the end of Omey Strand. There is a lovely walk detailed here, this is likely what we will follow when we come to visit. My friend told me that there is actually one house that you can rent on the island, which would be really cool.
DAY 4: If you have one more day on your holiday, take the ferry from Cleggan Pier to Inishbofin. It’s located 10km off the coast of Co. Galway and has very few cars. There are 3 looped walks to choose from to take in the wild Atlantic scenery, there are award winning beaches with incredibly clear water and there are a few pubs and restaurants. I actually think I’d like to come and stay on the island for a few nights to really be able to enjoy all the activites available. Once you reach the island you can hire bicycles to get around.
And there you have it, an epic 4 day itinerary for visiting Connemara as a family. Enjoy! Definitely let me know if I’ve missed any ‘must visit’ spots in the area. We love to connect with fellow travel families on insta @transatlantic_leonards or by email at Kristina.Bell.Leonard@gmail.com.
Transatlantic Leonards 