Connemara Day Trip from Galway: Kylemore Abbey and Leenane

Victorian walled garden walk at a Benedictine abbey, plus Killary Harbour and the west of Ireland's tallest mountains

A guided day trip through Connemara from Galway, with a driver/guide and entry to Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden included. The route covers Oughterard, the Maam Cross junction, Leenane Village on Killary Harbour, and returns via Salthill Promenade. The guide shares the history of the Irish language and its living presence in Connemara despite its decline elsewhere in Ireland.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided Connemara Day Trip from Galway

• Depart from Galway
• Pass by Oughterard town
• View Connemara mountain range
• Pass through Maam Cross crossroads
• Stop at Leenane village
• Visit Killary Harbour fjord
• Explore Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
• Pass by Connemara National Park
• Visit seaside village in South Connemara
• Return to Galway

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden Entry included 2h
2. Salthill Promenade passing by

What’s included

• Hotel pickup (request at least 24 hours in advance).
• driver/guide in English.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• entrance fee to Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden.

Times

• Every day except Tuesday 10:00

Another day? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 61 2 private ›

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 2 with pickup ›

Book up to Start time

Ages Adult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

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

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby

Operated by Lally Tours

Prices and times updated today

Traveler reviews

4.79 ★★★★★ Excellent 1,282 verified traveler reviews 86% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 1,106

4 ★ 121

3 ★ 28

2 ★ 15

1 ★ 12

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

From Galway the day heads northwest through Oughterard, a small town on the Owenriff River, then climbs into Connemara proper. The landscape shifts as you move deeper into the region. The terrain becomes visibly wilder as you pass western Ireland's tallest mountain range. Your driver/guide narrates the route and explains how Irish remains the native language here, a living fact that sets Connemara apart from the rest of Ireland where the language has faded from everyday use.

The route passes through Maam Cross, a junction where roads converge in the heart of Connemara, and descends to Leenane Village on the southern shore of Killary Harbour. Killary is a fjord, with the county border between Galway and Mayo running down its center. The village sits right on the water's edge. This is the dramatic landscape Connemara is known for: unspoiled and rugged, without the softness of lowland terrain.

Kylemore Abbey is the centerpiece of the day. Founded in 1920 for Benedictine nuns who had fled Belgium during World War I, the abbey stands on the grounds of Kylemore Castle. Your entry includes access to the Victorian Walled Garden, a formal space that contrasts sharply with the wild landscape surrounding it. You have time to walk the grounds and see both the abbey and the gardens. On the return journey, the tour passes through Connemara National Park, stops at a seaside village in South Connemara and comes back via Salthill on Galway Bay, where the promenade looks out to the Aran Islands.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Kylemore Abbey and why is it included in this tour?

Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Connemara, established in 1920 on the Kylemore Castle estate. It was established to house nuns who fled Belgium during World War I. The abbey is included because it is a major landmark in Connemara and entry to the abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden is part of the tour package, so you see both the working monastery and its formal gardens without paying separately.

Is the driver a guide who explains things along the way?

Yes, your driver is also a guide who shares information throughout the day, including where the Irish language comes from and how Connemara has kept it as its native tongue while its use declines elsewhere in Ireland.

What is Killary Harbour and where does it fit in the route?

Killary Harbour is a fjord on Ireland's west coast. It sits on the border between counties Galway and Mayo. Leenane Village, one of the main stops on this tour, sits on Killary Harbour's southern shore, right by the water.