Connemara Castles Tour from Galway: Aughnanure, Kylemore, Clifden

Four centuries of Irish castles in one day, from a tower house on Lough Corrib to a Gothic Revival ruin on the Connemara coast.

A full-day guided tour departing Galway city explores the castles and abbeys of Connemara in a minivan with a live English-speaking guide. You visit Aughnanure Castle, a well-preserved 1500 tower house built by the O'Flahertys on the shores of Lough Corrib; stop at the Quiet Man bridge in Oughterard; spend hours at Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian walled gardens (entry optional); and drive the scenic Sky Road to view Clifden Castle, a Gothic Revival manor built in 1812 that now stands in ruins above the town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden2h
2. Clifden Castlepassing by

Explore Connemara castles and scenery

• Visit Aughnanure Castle
• Coffee break in Oughterard
• See the Quiet Man bridge
• Explore Kylemore Abbey and gardens
• Drive scenic Sky Road
• View Clifden Castle ruins
• Return to Galway City

The experience

Aughnanure Castle anchors the morning. Built in 1500 by the O'Flahertys, one of Connacht's most powerful families, the castle sits on a rocky island in Lough Corrib and remains one of Ireland's best-preserved tower houses. You walk through the remains of a banqueting hall, a watch tower, an unusual double bawn with bastions, and a dry harbour: the physical traces of how a coastal lord family defended their territory. The castle's history reaches back further: Grace O'Malley, the notorious west of Ireland sea pirate, was married to Donal O'Flaherty and moved through these same waters.

From there the route moves through the village of Oughterard for a coffee break and a stop at the Quiet Man bridge, made famous in the 1950s film starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. The minivan then winds through scenic Connemara toward Kylemore Abbey, founded by English industrialist Mitchell Henry as a gift to his wife and now home to a Benedictine monastery. You have several hours to explore the abbey, its Gothic church, and the Victorian walled gardens at your own pace. Entry to the abbey and gardens is optional, and the onsite café serves lunch if you choose to eat there. The drive to reach it carries you deeper into the region's wild, rugged landscape.

The final stop is Clifden, the capital of Connemara, reached by way of the scenic Sky Road. Clifden Castle rises above the town: a Gothic Revival manor built in 1812 by John D'Arcy, the founder of Clifden itself. The estate once covered over 17,000 acres, but the family lost the land during the Great Potato Famine, and the castle fell into ruin in the latter part of the 19th century. Today only the stone shell remains, thick with ivy. Weather permitting, you drive the Sky Road to see it. The return journey takes you back to Galway city by evening.

What’s included

• Guided tour of Connemara in a minivan with a live English-speaking guide.
• entrance into Aughnanure Castle.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 4 Mar 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Infant (under 8)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ireland Wild Escapes

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary and the history of each castle without translation. A minimum of four passengers is required for the tour to depart, or a single booking pays the price for four.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (8 to 12 years); Infant (under 8).

What is Aughnanure Castle and why is it worth seeing?

Aughnanure Castle is a tower house built in 1500 by the O'Flahertys on a rocky island in Lough Corrib, and it's one of Ireland's best-preserved examples of this type of fortification. You walk through a banqueting hall, watch tower, double bawn and bastions that show how a Connacht lord family lived and defended their territory five centuries ago.

Can I go inside Kylemore Abbey and the gardens, or do I just see them from outside?

Entry to Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian walled gardens is optional and not included in the tour price, so you choose whether to pay for admission. The tour gives you several hours there to explore at your own pace, and there's a café on site if you want lunch.

What is the Quiet Man bridge and why do people visit it?

The Quiet Man bridge in Oughterard became famous after the 1950s film of the same name, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, was shot there. It's now a local attraction that draws tourists from around the world, and the tour includes a stop so you can see it.

What happened to Clifden Castle and why does it look like a ruin?

Clifden Castle was built in 1812 by John D'Arcy, the founder of Clifden town, but the family lost their 17,000-acre estate during the Great Potato Famine in the mid-1800s. The castle changed hands many times and fell into ruin in the latter part of the 19th century. Today only the stone shell remains, overgrown with ivy.

How much of the day is spent driving versus exploring the castles and abbey?

The tour is nine hours total and includes minivan transport through Connemara's scenic landscape. Aughnanure Castle is your first stop with time to walk through it; Kylemore Abbey has several hours for self-guided exploration; and Clifden Castle is viewed from the scenic Sky Road on the drive into town.