Connemara, Cong & Kylemore Abbey Day Trip from Galway

Summary

Connemara valleys, Kylemore Abbey gardens and Cong village stories

You’ll start your day in Galway and head west into Connemara’s raw landscapes with a local guide who knows every twist in the road. Walk through Kylemore Abbey’s lakeside halls and Victorian gardens, taste homemade soup from the nuns’ kitchen, then wander Cong village ruins and quiet woods before returning home full of new stories.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to feel so small in Connemara. The bus rolled out of Galway just after 10am — still a bit sleepy — and suddenly we were in this sweep of green hills and stone walls. Our guide (I think his name was Tom? Or maybe Tim…) pointed out the Inagh Valley for our first stop. The air there tasted like rain even though it wasn’t raining yet. Sheep everywhere, but not a single sound except the wind. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it never looks right compared to standing there.

Kylemore Abbey was next — you have to pay for your ticket in cash to the driver (I nearly forgot), but it’s cheaper than at the gate. The abbey sits by a lake that somehow makes everything quieter. Inside, it’s all old wood and echoes; outside, the walled gardens smell like wet earth and something sweet I couldn’t place. Lunch is at their restaurant if you want — I got soup and brown bread because that’s what the nuns recommend apparently. There’s also a shuttle to the gardens if you’re tired or just lazy like me by then.

Afterwards we drove through these wild valleys around Killary Fjord — Tom kept saying “this is real Connemara” and I sort of get what he means now. The fjord itself is deep and dark with mussel ropes floating on top; I saw two locals arguing about fishing rights near the water (or maybe just gossiping). We took some back roads past Lough Nafooey that felt like they shouldn’t fit a bus at all. At one point, someone’s phone started playing music by accident and everyone laughed — even Tom.

The last stop was Cong village. It’s tiny but famous for that old John Wayne movie (my dad loves it), plus there’s this 12th-century abbey ruin where you can still see bits of carved stone if you look close. I wandered into Cong Woods for a bit — mossy trees, soft ground underfoot, birds making weird noises overhead. We had about 45 minutes here before heading back to Galway around six-ish. Honestly, I still think about that view at Inagh Valley sometimes when things get noisy at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Connemara and Cong village tour

• Depart from Galway at 10:00 AM
• Photo stop near Inagh Valley
• Visit Kylemore Abbey and walled gardens
• Lunch at Kylemore Abbey restaurant
• Explore Killary Harbour fjord
• Drive through Lough Nafooey route
• Arrive in Cong village
• Visit ruins of Old Abbey
• Walk in Cong Woods and village streets
• Return to Galway by 18:00

Top questions

How long is the Connemara & Kylemore Abbey tour from Galway?

The tour departs at 10:00 AM from Galway and returns around 6:00 PM.

Is admission to Kylemore Abbey included in the tour price?

No, admission is paid separately in cash to your driver at a discounted rate (€14 per person).

Does the tour include lunch?

No, but there is a restaurant at Kylemore Abbey where you can purchase lunch.

What are the main stops on this day trip?

The main stops are Inagh Valley (photo stop), Kylemore Abbey & Gardens, Killary Fjord area, Lough Nafooey route, and Cong village.

How much time do we spend in Cong village?

You’ll have about 45 minutes to explore Cong village on foot.

Are seats assigned on the bus?

No, seats are not assigned for this tour.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult's lap.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, it runs in all weather conditions—just dress appropriately for rain or wind.

What’s included

Your day includes transport by air-conditioned vehicle from central Galway with live commentary from your local guide along every winding road. You’ll get discounted entry to Kylemore Abbey (paid directly to your driver), time to buy lunch at their restaurant or tea rooms, plus stops across Connemara valleys and a relaxed walk through Cong village before returning early evening.