Connemara Calling: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Betsy Ramsey

On the last stop of our grand tour of Ireland, we visited the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. This week, we head to the Connemara Coast via the Cliffs of Moher and Galway.

The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction. They’re also the first stop as we continue our drive North along the Wild Atlantic Way. So many superlatives have been used to describe the Cliffs that I’m at a loss for what else to say.

The Cliffs of Moher

While stunning, the Cliffs are also dangerous. More than 60 deaths have occurred here in the last 25 years, with two of those happening just this year. In August, officials drastically restricted access to the Cliffs, and further limitations are being contemplated. Visit their website for the latest news before you visit.

The Visitor’s Center is cleverly built into the surrounding landscape so as not to detract from the cliffside views. You’ll find restrooms, restaurants, explanatory exhibits, and a walkway of small shops inside. The downloadable audio tour has an interesting narrative to complement all the main viewing areas.

As you leave the Cliffs and continue driving North, you’ll pass through the Burren, a desolate and rocky landscape known for fossils and unique flora. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take your meds. The roads here are quite twisty.

In addition to hiking, popular Burren attractions include:

• The Burren Perfumery
• Hazel Mountain Chocolate
• Corcomroe Abbey
• Fanore Beach

As you near the outskirts of Galway, you’ll see Dunguarie Castle along the roadside. In season, they host an evening banquet that allows tourists to visit the castle at night and experience a taste of medieval life.

Galway

Galway is a lively, bohemian city that is easy to tour in a day or to use as a base for exploring the Connemara region of Ireland. Picturesque shops and a slew of cozy pubs and restaurants make it a popular choice for stag and hen parties. The street art is also fantastic!

Connemara

We chose Cong as our base for exploring Connemara! It’s home to the impressive Ashford Castle (the former country estate of the Guinness family), and a small but engaging village with a surprising number of worthwhile sites.

I think the very best scenery we encountered was in the Connemara region. A few things we greatly enjoyed in this area were:

• Connemara National Park
• Kylemore Abbey
• Killary Fjord and the Killary Sheep Farm Sheepdog demonstration
• The Leenaun Peat Bogs – NOTE: If you jump on the peat, your travel companions will feel it up to 20-30 feet away! Try it.
• Cong Abbey and the Monk’s Fishing Hut
• Ireland’s School of Falconry and Hawk Walk

Killary Sheep Farm sits on a hill high above Killary Fjord. The herding demonstration and learning more about how these dogs are trained is a highlight experience. A short way down the road is The Misunderstood Heron, a delicious food truck establishment with an unbeatable view of the fjord.

A bit farther north, you’ll find the town of Westport, Croagh Patrick, and Ballycroy National Park. Everything in this region is lovely. Pick a few destinations, jump in your car, and go!

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We have two more legs of this trip remaining: Derry and the Antrim Coast, and Belfast. Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss these posts in the weeks ahead!

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