2 options touring Connemara from Clifden

irisheileen · Member

2 options touring Connemara from Clifden

irisheileen · Member

The forum didn't post the rest of my original post! So, the rest was Option B:
Beginning the same, but at Leeane we would shoot NW to the Doolough Pass, which this forum has said is spectacular, and then to Westport for Dinner. We would have to skip the Renvyle Penisula, right? Retrace main route back to Doolin, after sunset, to Clifden B&B. We would be tired, I'm sure and not go to Trad in Clifden.

markan · Senior Member

Wesport is my personal favorite town but have to say I would skip it in this itinerary. You could still see Doolough if you really want to without going all the way to Westport. Just drive up the pass to the famine monument and turnaround and go back. Still worth the drive IMO. For me Westport is a place you really have to stay for at least 2 or 3 nights to really enjoy it.

Another possibility you've left out if you want to do more exploring but don't want to go all the way to Westport and back is maybe after going through Inagh Valley head towards Roundstone past Ballynahinch and have dinner at O'Dowd's pub in Roundstone, visit the music shop there, etc. The town has got a beautiful landscape around it with ocean and mountain views and it's not too far from Clifden. If you have plenty of daylight remaining you could drive the very spectacular and surreal "bog road" back towards Clifden from Roundstone or just go along the coast. The "bog road" really is different though with great views of the Twelve Bens mountain range and straight through probably one of the largest bog lands you'll ever see.

markan · Senior Member

And just FYI the bog road is a side road that you can pickup somewhere between Ballynahinch and Roundstone off of R341. It cuts straight across and links back up with R341 just a few miles south of Clifden.

If you do go to Roundstone this is O'Dowd's pub. Worth stopping for a meal. I thought was outstanding when I last visited and it seems to get lots of good reviews still. I haven't been in about 6 years. www.odowdsseafoodbar.com/

tony2phones · Guru

I cringe at the sight of timed itineraries... If doing the Doonlough loop then Westport is as makes no difference the point.. and if you have a meal there then fine provided there is no rush getting to an early bed.. Clifden comes to life about 9pm.. The Sky Road can be an evening drive its only 1/2 hour doing it my way Details and maps in http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/ if not already seen. Best way to drive the Bog Rd is out from the Clifden end driving into the Benns then right turn down through Roundstone and loop back.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

SO much can depend upon the weather -- AND the interest that you have -- in places like Kylemore . . .

I've NEVER toured the Gardens, myself. One time, it was raining so badly, that all we did was stop and snap a few photos from the Car Park. Another time, on a warm, sunny day, we toured the downstairs of the main house and walked along the Lough to the Chapel, spending a couple of hours, in all.

Your times may vary! biggrin biggrin

I think that, were I you, I would skip Renvyle. If you find that you have 'Extra' time, Westport deserves more than just the time it takes for a meal break. As you approach Westport from Doo Lough, you'll pass the Car Park for Croagh Patrick and the Famine Ship Memorial. BOTH are worth some time.

http://www.croagh-patrick.com/activities http://www.museumsofmayo.com/croaghpatrick.htm

Along the Doo Lough road, be sure to 'stop in' to The Lodge at Delphi, for a 'look see' and photo -- as this was the destination that the Famine Walk.

http://www.delphilodge.ie/ http://www.cisi.ie/The_Doolough_Tragedy.html