Across from Kylemore Abbey is the Connemara Visitors' Centre with an interesting interpretive area and then two nature walks, and a tea room. You could spend some time there. The "short walk" is nice, through wooded areas, but very vertical in some places.

Well, my friend is now insisting that we see her family on Sunday morning. So if we're going to do Connemara at all, it will either be that afternoon, or the Saturday afternoon, or Monday morning before leaving for Doolin. Should we just scrap it? Or is it possible to see some of Connemara? Is it possible to see some of it without driving the whole loop?

It depends on the friends. If your visit is not too long, you could take a driving tour through Connemara on Sunday afternoon. Daylight will last well into the evening (8-9:00 pm?) Alternatively, the drive to Doolin is not too long, so if you would rather see Connemara than sitesee on the way to Doolin, you could tour Connemara on Monday and then drive to Doolin. I wouldn't recommend trying to do it the same day you drive from Dublin.

Is the visit to the friends north up the east side of Galway? If so, you will take extra time driving back through Galway and over to Connemara.

I think a drive through Connemara is worth it. You could make a loop going part way up the coast and then back through the interior. It's all beautiful.

With only a part day, I would choose to either see Kylemore Abbey, going directly there, or a driving tour just ogling the scenery with stops. The Abbey and grounds needs 2-3 hours to see properly. The coastline and some of it's villages are wellworth seeing. Inland, Ballynahinch Lodge is a good stop with beautiful gardens and grounds. Cong village is also worth seeing, with a ruined abbey in its center, the grounds of Ashford castle, and a river walk.