Must-see attractions in Connemara

  • Aughnanure Castle, Galway, Ireland

    Aughnanure Castle

    Connemara

    The 'Fighting O'Flahertys' were based at this superbly preserved 16th-century fortress 4km east of Oughterard. The clan controlled the region for hundreds…

  • Connemara National Park sunset

    Connemara National Park

    Connemara

    Immediately southeast of Letterfrack, Connemara National Park spans 2000 dramatic hectares of bog, mountains, heath and woodlands.

  • Kylemore Abbey

    Connemara

    Photogenically perched on the shores of Pollacapall Lough, 4km east of Letterfrack, Kylemore is a crenellated 19th-century neo-Gothic fantasy. It was…

  • Patrick Pearse's Cottage

    Connemara

    Pádraig Pearse (Patrick Pearse; 1879–1916) wrote some of his short stories and plays on the shore of a remote lake in this small thatched cottage, which…

  • Inchagoill

    Connemara

    The largest island on Lough Corrib, Inchagoill lies about 5km offshore from the lake's edge, some 8km north of Oughterard. The island is a lonely place…

  • Brigit's Garden

    Connemara

    Covering 4.5 hectares of woodland and meadowland, and with traditional architecture including a reed-thatched crannóg roundhouse, tranquil Brigit's Garden…

  • Glengowla Mines

    Connemara

    These 19th-century mines 3km west of Oughterard yielded silver, lead and glistening quartz. As well as marvelling at some of the treasures unearthed,…

  • Quiet Man Bridge

    Connemara

    One of the most photogenic locations from the iconic 1952 John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara film, the eponymous Quiet Man bridge is some 7km west of…

  • Connemara Smokehouse

    Connemara

    At this family-run smokehouse, tours reveal hand filleting and traditional preparation, slicing and packing of wild and organic salmon, and various…

  • Inishbofin Heritage Museum

    Connemara

    Inishbofin's small but evocative museum gives a comprehensive overview of the island's history. Displays include fishing, farming and tradespeople's tools…

  • Sheep & Wool Centre

    Connemara

    On Leenane's main street, just north of the bridge, sits a compelling little museum dedicated to sheep and wool. It has spinning and weaving…

  • Roundstone Musical Instruments

    Connemara

    At the village's southern edge, you can watch Malachy Kearns, Ireland's only full-time maker of traditional bodhráns, handcrafting goat-skin drums in his…

  • Aasleagh Falls

    Connemara

    The tumbling waters of these low, wide waterfalls are framed by a series of rapids and pools, where you're likely to see salmon fishers trying their luck…

  • DK Connemara Oysters

    Connemara

    On these hour-long tours you'll get a real sense of the skill and sheer hard work that goes into producing Connemara's famous oysters. Then try your hand…

  • Joyce Country Sheepdogs

    Connemara

    Book in advance to see the amazing herding feats performed by the sheepdogs on this working farm. From Leenane, it's 14km east: take the R336 and turn on…

  • Parish Church of St Colman

    Connemara

    The interior of this small, charming church 300m east of the pier is illuminated by the soft light of its stained glass.

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