Connemara Day Tour: Explore Kylemore Abbey & Gardens

The special Connemara Day Tour originating from Galway incorporates a 3-hour halt, offering guests the leisurely opportunity to delve into and appreciate the splendid Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden. This stop forms part of the highlights of Connemara situated along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The Claddagh - Departing Galway we head out via The Claddagh, home of the famous Claddagh Ring.
  • Salthill Promenade - On our left, the Salthill Promenade and Galway Bay.
  • Barna - First little village on our tour, Barna. Once a thriving fishing village.
  • Spiddal - ‘An Spidéal’ meaning ‘The Hospital’ in Irish, Spiddal marks the start of the ‘Gaeltacht’ or Irish speaking area.
  • Costelloe - Once home to Bruce Ismay, CEO of White Star Lines and Titanic survivor.
  • Screebe - A quick photostop at the picturesque little waterfall.
  • Connemara - We travel through the bog land of Connemara, formed over millions of years.
  • Clifden - A 30 minute stop to wander around the town of Clifden.
  • Clifden Castle - Built by John Darcy, founder of Clifden.
  • Sky Road - Renowned worldwide for heart stopping twists and turns, the Sky Road swoops and soars above the Atlantic Ocean. One of the ‘Discovery Points’ on the Wild Atlantic Way.
  • Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre - The national park covers 3000+ hectares of Connemara.
  • Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden - Our main stop on this tour, you now have 3 hours to explore Kylemore Abbey. Built in the 1860’s by Mitchell Henry as a wedding gift to wife Margaret.
  • Quiet Man Bridge - A photo on the Quiet Man Bridge, used in the 1960’s movie of the same name, is a must for all John Wayne fans
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Driver / guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Entry to Kylemore Abbey - Tickets can be purchased from the driver at discounted rates, cash only.
  • Hotel Pickup
Additional Information
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
Merchants Road
Tour departs: Merchants Road, Galway outside the Kinlay Hostel, H91 F2KT at 09:30. Tour vehicle will have 'Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours' branding. Please present 15 minutes prior to departure. Tour returns: Merchants Road, Galway at 18:30
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(119 Ratings)
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Sherpa03926980496
Sep 20, 2024
Wonderful day - Very interesting. Beautiful location . Lots to see. Gardens where very beautiful.lots of little stops on the way. Loved Cifton.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolle2897vh
Sep 10, 2024
Great bus driver and interesting tour. - Mike, our bus driver, was funny and informative. He stopped at interesting places along the way for photos. Most importantly, he gave us a tip to maximize our time at the abbey. There is a shuttle that goes to the garden and to do that first, spending 1.5 hours there. Then shuttle back snd tour the abbey and gothic church. We did that and it saved us time. The abbey is beautiful and has both a tragic snd romantic history. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marzenaheimowski
Sep 9, 2024
Kylemore Abbey tour - Very beautiful ride through Connemara region. Our driver Mike gives us great history lessons and few ideas how to get the most of the 3 hours at the Kylemore Abbey.
Review provided by Viator
Frank_c
Sep 7, 2024
Love the visit to the abbey - Loved the visit to the abbey - what a great story about its inhabitants. Connemara and the Sky Road were beautiful on our sunny day.
Review provided by Viator
Richard_c
Aug 23, 2024
Wild Atlantic Way - Our guide’s running commentary was witty and interesting. Lots of beautiful sights along the west coast of Ireland and in the Connemara mountains. Interesting to see how turf is harvested. Kylemore Abbey is in a stunning location.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_s
Aug 23, 2024
Great Trip - Driver was friendly, helpful and very informative. We really enjoyed this excursion. Time at the abbey was perfect, bus ride was comfortable and a fair price for all that was included. It was also nice to take a break from driving on the other side of the road. :)
Review provided by Viator
Cocoetcalo
Aug 9, 2024
Beautiful day with very nice stops. - Very nice day with lots of comments, unfortunately in English... we do not master the language well.😫 Very well chosen stops; two possibilities at lunch for the 3h stop. Very clear Guide on the 2 possibilities and the means of payment on site.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marlion
Jul 19, 2024
Amazing experience, absorbing the Irish wilderness A privilege to learn so much and with the live encyclopaedia Mike - Amazing experience with the live encyclopaedia Mike A privilege to learn about the Irish wilderness and of its history
Review provided by Tripadvisor
650makaylaw
Sep 15, 2024
Great addition to a stop in Galway and would have loved more time at the Kylemore Abbey. - We did not regret this excursion whatsoever and it was a great addition to our Galway visit. We definitely needed a little longer than 3 hours, but it is doable. What didn't help was the long lines for food. Great food though so it was worth it. I definitely suggest this for anyone staying in Galway, the city isn't that big and takes only a day or so to explore so this would be the perfect addition for a multi-day trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carmen_g
Jul 23, 2024
back to the past - Was a great experience with my daughter. I wanted a spanish translator, but she help me! Was a back to the past
Review provided by Viator
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up to 9 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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