Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tour with a park naturalist (July-Aug Wed and Fri at 11:00, departs from visitors center).
Call ahead to confirm walking tour schedules, and bring rain gear and hiking shoes.
• If you're running short on time, you could stay on N-59 the whole way back to Galway.
But I prefer to turn south off N-59 in Clifden to enjoy a scenic coastal loop on R-341.
The essence of scenic Connemara—rocky yet seductive—is captured in a neat little
24-mile (38 km) lumpy loop on R-341. The 12 Bens (peaks) of Connemara loom deeper
inland.Intheforeground,broadshelvesofbarebedrockarenettedwithstonewalls,which
interlock through the landscape. The ocean slaps the hardscrabble shore. Fishermen cast
into their favorite little lakes, and ponies trot in windswept fields. Abandoned roofless
stone cottages stand mute, keeping their stories to themselves. The only settlement on this
loop to speak of is Roundstone, a perfect place to stop for a cup of coffee before turning
home.
• R-341 links back up with N-59 near Recess. At the junction with N-59, turn right, and fol-
low Galway signs back through Recess, Maam Cross, and Oughterard. Our tour is over.
Travelers continuing on to Northern Ireland (or County Donegal) should get an early start.
Allow a long day for the drive from Galway to Derry (or Portrush), with these interesting
stops along the way. The town of Knock is right on N-17 as you head north out of Galway,
while Strokestown isfarther east inCounty Roscommon. Fill upyourtank before crossing
into Northern Ireland, since gas is a little cheaper here.
