Connemara & Mayo Coast
A short road trip from Galway looping through the Connemara wilderness, Killary Harbour, and Achill Island.
A curated selection of the West Coast for those who don't want to drive the entire Wild Atlantic Way. Spend two nights in Clifden to see the Sky Road and Kylemore Abbey, and two nights in Westport to explore Doo Lough Valley and Achill Island, before returning to Galway via Cong. Daily driving time is about 2–3 hours. This route skips the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands, which can be added before or after Galway. Ideal for hiking and photography enthusiasts.
The weather is relatively stable from May to July. Gas stations are sparse along the route, so fill up before setting off.
Day by day
Day 1 · Connemara Coast to Clifden
Galway（Dog's Bay、Sky Road, Clifden）
Drive from Galway along the coastal road to Dog's Bay (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue to Clifden (30 minutes), and drive the Sky Road in the evening.
Stay: Clifden
Day 2 · Kylemore Abbey & Connemara National Park
Galway（Connemara National Park、Kylemore Abbey）
Drive from Clifden to the National Park (approx. 20 minutes), then to Kylemore Abbey (5 minutes). The return trip is nearby.
The Diamond Hill Loop takes about 2–3 hours and can be slippery on rainy days.
Stay: Clifden
Day 3 · Killary Harbour to Westport
Galway（Killary Harbour） → Westport & Achill Island（Doolough Valley、National Famine Memorial & Murrisk Abbey、Westport Town）
Drive from Clifden to Killary Harbour (approx. 35 minutes), then head to Murrisk via Doo Lough Valley (approx. 1 hour) before continuing to Westport.
Stay: Westport Town Centre
Day 4 · Achill Island Day Trip
Westport & Achill Island（Atlantic Drive, Achill、Keel Beach、Keem Bay, Achill Island、Slievemore Deserted Village）
Drive from Westport to Achill Island (approx. 45 minutes). Spend the day touring the island, with a 1-hour drive back.
You can replace the return drive with a cycle along the Great Western Greenway, which requires reserving an extra half-day.
Stay: Westport Town Centre
Day 5 · Return to Galway via Cong
Westport & Achill Island（Ballintubber Abbey） → Galway（Cong & Ashford Castle、Galway Latin Quarter）
Drive from Westport to Ballintubber (approx. 30 minutes), then to Cong (approx. 40 minutes), and back to Galway (approx. 1 hour).