Connemara Day Trip Including Leenane Village and Kylemore Abbey from Galway
4.8
Connemara Day Trip Including Leenane Village and Kylemore Abbey from Galway
By Lally Tours
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About
Save money on rental car and attraction entrance fees with this Connemara tour that focuses on free-to-enter sights such as villages—although you’ll likely want to pay extra to visit Kylemore Abbey. Experience the villages of Leenane and Irish-speaking Spiddal, stop for photos at Killary Fjord, and soak up Connemara’s sweeping landscapes as your local driver/guide explains it all.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-120, max of 61 per group
Duration: 7h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Save time and money with a comprehensive, great-value Connemara coach tour
- Stop at Killary Fjord, Kylemore Abbey, and Leenane and Spiddal villages
- Learn about Irish culture and nature from your local driver/guide
- Enjoy pickup from Galway city center hotels
- Hotel pick-up (contact the operator directly at least 24 hours before the tour to request)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Driver/guide
- Entrance Fee to Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden
- Entry/Admission - Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden
What's not included- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Meet your coach in Galway city center or at your central hotel and learn about Connemara culture and the many movies that have filmed there from your friendly local guide. Your first stop is mountainside Leenane village, the setting of 1990’s film The Field, followed by Ireland’s only fjord, Killary Fjord. Next, stop at Kylemore Abbey, a 19th-century castle set on a pretty lake surrounded by mountains. Today, it’s home to Benedictine nuns and award-winning Victorian walled gardens. From here, visit Spiddal, an Irish-speaking village where thatched cottages look onto the beach and North Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the tour, the coach will drop you in the city center.
- Start:
- HYDE Hotel, Forster St, Galway, H91 PY7E, IrelandWe meet outside the HYDE Hotel, Forster Street, at 9.45am. Look out for the Lally Tours Team in their blue jackets!
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8625P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- For complimentary hotel pick-up please contact the tour operator at least 24 hours in advance
- Most travellers can participate
- Infants under 5 years of age require a child seat (These are not supplied by the company)
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 61 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8625P2
From
£47.18
per adult
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Itinerary
- Forster St, Galway, H91 PY7E, IrelandWe meet outside the HYDE Hotel, Forster Street, at 9.45am. Look out for the Lally Tours Team in their blue jackets!
- Pass byOughterardTwelve Bens of ConnemaraMaam Cross
- 1
- 2
- 3Pass byConnemara National Park & Visitor Centre
- 4Pass bySalthill Promenade
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- fatespawn0 contributionsA fun full day tour.John B was fantastic. He said he was off for a month, but you couldn’t tell. Great service, great entertainment and a well laid out tour. 5 stars for both the content and value of the tour. Do the extra cave tour for €10/per. Well worth itWritten 18 March 2025
- 285rafaelal0 contributionsThank you John B!Had a lovely day trip in the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. Our guide and driver John B was great. Very friendly and knowledgeable.Written 17 March 2025
- E3313XChayleyb0 contributionsHighly recommend this day trip!Excellent day trip to the Cliffs of Moher with Seamus as our guide! Seamus was excellent and provided lots of great history and facts throughout the day. The cliffs, lunch, and the cave were all awesome. Highly recommend!Written 17 March 2025
- 181daisyk0 contributionsGalway to Dungaire Castle, Aillwee Cave, Cliffs of Moher, DoolinThe tour was amazing with breathtaking landscapes described very well by our guide: Mr. Seamus, whom I thank again so much for his passion and professionalism.Written 17 March 2025
- 60addiec0 contributionsDay Trip to Cliffs of MoherJohn B was an excellent tour guide and bus driver! We learned so many things about Ireland’s history and had a wonderful time at the cliffs!Written 16 March 2025
- emilyz3100 contributionsAmazing way to see Ireland in one day!We had a fabulous tour with Barry and driver Fionn and highly recommend it! We arrived fresh from the airport after an overnight flight and this was the perfect way to see the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands and Kinvara and Connemara. Barry is knowledgeable and we enjoyed his stories, music and energy! There were plenty of stops and we enjoyed a delicious lunch on Inisheer followed by a horse and buggy ride. A couple on our tour even got engaged which was so special! This was the perfect activity for our first day and Barry is a true gem.Written 16 March 2025
- Silas O0 contributionsWould go againSeamus made the experience, he was a wonderful driver and show men. He knew a lot of history and lore of the area. He was very entertaining with is storiesWritten 13 March 2025
- S5581GXjessican0 contributionsGreat Stops w/o Being Rushed!John B was an amazing guide! Very knowledgeable and shared information for almost the entire trip, making the bus ride much more enjoyable. The first castle is a quick stop, you cannot go inside. The cave stop has amazing views and you can take a cave tour for 10 euro- well worth it! Then you get to the cliffs- the time given at the stop was the perfect amount. They have cafe with actual food and a visitors center with restrooms, history, gift shop, etc. When stopping in Doolin, I recommend walking the streets for a little- it's a scenic, quiet, lovely little town. Overall the tour was great; you stop about every 30 mins on the way there which helps. You see a lot without feeling rushed.Written 10 March 2025
- 111anjad0 contributionsBest Value Day Trip from Galway!!The tour with John B was 10/10! My four friends and I had a blast and thought that John B shared really great facts about Irish history that were easy to digest. The lunch stop in Doolin was amazing, with the menu including lots of local seafood - I got the seafood platter! There are some great non-seafood options as well for any picky eaters. The Ailwee Caves were fascinating and definitely worth the extra 10 euros! John B ever took us to some secret spots to marvel at the the massive Atlantic waves crashing in on the shore! The time spent at each spot was perfect - not too little, not too much. It was very clear how well thought out this tour is and I will be recommending them to any friends who visit Ireland in the future :)Written 9 March 2025
- Wander523128775210 contributionsGood days tour with great views.Great day out with john b the guide with great local knowledge and very witty toue started on time and finished on time well worth the money.Written 9 March 2025
- Sarah C0 contributionsA great day of exploring!This was such a great way to see the Cliffs of Moher! We were initially disappointed that we couldn’t get a car, but we are so glad we were able to use this tour. John B was so friendly every time we got back on the bus, was very informative and helpful, and the day went by so quickly in the best possible way! We will definitely use this tour company again WHEN we return to Ireland!Written 8 March 2025
- 181shanef0 contributionsYou have to go on this trip with John BThis was one of the best trips we took while in Ireland. John B was so nice and informative. He made the trip amazing. From the castle stop to the cliffs, and even the little pub for lunch, it couldn't have been better.Written 8 March 2025
- cirocV1222VL0 contributionsI recommend.John B was our guide. Very kind and knowledgeable of everything along the trip. A careful driver as well. And the views are just so quaint and inspiring.Written 7 March 2025
- T8498OWloriw0 contributionsWONDERFUL TOUR!!John B was our driver and he was spectacular! He had a great deal of interesting information that brought the tour to life! The tour itself was well organized and the stops were simply lovely! The Irish people are some of the kindest people ever! Absolutely take this tour with Lally Tours!! You will not regret it!!!Written 7 March 2025
- fayf20170 contributionsStunning views, strong winds, almost flew!"The Cliffs of Moher tour was absolutely breathtaking—both because of the stunning views and the incredibly strong winds! Our guide, Gerry, was fantastic, keeping us entertained and informed with his knowledge and humor. Despite nearly being blown away (literally!), the experience was unforgettable. The tour was well-organized, and we had plenty of time to soak in the scenery. If you're looking for a tour that will sweep you off your feet—hopefully just figuratively—this is the one!"Written 5 March 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.8
592 reviews
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TJTaxi
Hertfordshire73 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
This tour was great with just the right combination of photo stops, coffee/toilet breaks and the crown jewel of Kylemore Abbey for lunch and a 2 1/2 hour stop. The tour guide, Cathal/Charles was excellent (apart from some quite painful puns at the end) and at £40 for a tour lasting from 10.00am to 5.15pm is not only good value for money, but a really good deal for cruise passengers who stop in Galway for the day. We were on Ambience with Ambassador who were charging double for a comparable trip.
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kinga L
Galway, Ireland1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Trip to Connemara and Kylemore Abbey was absolutely awesome 😍😍😍 We took millions of fab pictures, and had great few stops to look around. Our bus driver and tour guy Gerry Sweeney was brilliant, with all the stories that he was telling us about, and how carefully he was checking on our stops if all the group is in the bus already. And we could even feed sheep and goats 😍🥰😍🥰 We can highly recommend Gerry and Lally Tours to everyone, who wants to visit Ireland around, because you can learn a lots of new bits and truly enjoy the whole experience 😍😍😍
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WalterWhite52
Atlanta, GA29 contributions
The tour allowed us to see many parts of the beautiful countryside - I definitely recommend. The trip did seem a bit rushed, but it was about what I expected. Kylemore Abbey has a great garden, and the actual Abbey is picturesque from the outside, but the inside is a bit underwhelming. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Ireland, as the topography is very different from other parts of the country, with mountains, fjords, and lakes.
Written 31 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Acci M
France1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Friends
Excursion to visit Connemara for 35 euros, canceled not even 24 hours in advance (this can happen)
We absolutely wanted to go on an excursion (that’s why we came to Galway)
So we paid for an excursion to visit Kylemore Abbey with a few stops in some villages.
(I would like to point out that the Lally Tour staff were extremely nice and really know their job. This is the only positive point with the landscapes)
On the way we got the information that the abbey was closed (I know it was not their fault) but suddenly the whole excursion was over since the abbey was the heart of the excursion and everything the rest were in the same place.
We were informed that we would be partially refunded. We expected to be at least (the minimum minimum) from the entrance to the abbey 16 euros.
But we were refunded 10 euros per person.
So an excursion of 40 euros for a 2.5 hour bus ride I find quite expensive……
We absolutely wanted to go on an excursion (that’s why we came to Galway)
So we paid for an excursion to visit Kylemore Abbey with a few stops in some villages.
(I would like to point out that the Lally Tour staff were extremely nice and really know their job. This is the only positive point with the landscapes)
On the way we got the information that the abbey was closed (I know it was not their fault) but suddenly the whole excursion was over since the abbey was the heart of the excursion and everything the rest were in the same place.
We were informed that we would be partially refunded. We expected to be at least (the minimum minimum) from the entrance to the abbey 16 euros.
But we were refunded 10 euros per person.
So an excursion of 40 euros for a 2.5 hour bus ride I find quite expensive……
Written 22 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brit B
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
I’ve been on this tour with Michael and the Cliffs of Moher tour with John B. Both tours had great guides and fantastic sites. For those who want a more nature based tour, I would suggest the Cliffs of Moher over the Connemara tour if the weather is nice, as the bulk of the Connemara tour is spent in Kylemore walking the grounds and abbey. For those who may have a preference in tour guides, both John B and Michael were great for telling about Ireland and were occasionally humorous. I think the main difference between the two is John B starts a conversation and Michael will let you start the conversation. So, it just depends what you prefer. Another thing to keep in mind is that taking the Connemara tour on a Sunday did limit some of the stops. For example, there was a stop in a Leenane, but on Sundays most everything in that 30 minute stop didn’t open until afternoon except for one tea/coffee shop. It was still a nice stop, but the weather was a bit poor and very windy/rainy, so you couldn’t spend too much time outside or in any place inside but the tea shop. Outside of this, they both were wonderful tours, but definitely the weather makes a difference in the views you can get out the windows of the bus when the majority of the last hour is driving back the scenic route to Galway (both tours ended around 5ish). For either tour, I would recommend rain gear, just in case (not umbrellas, due to high wind). If you are traveling in the winter, bring knit hat / beanie and gloves. And, if you have long hair, definitely make sure you have a knit hat or a hair tie or any picture you try to take will have wind in your face. To the end of it, I would recommend Lally and their tours. However, if you have booked Lally before, they did let me know about the tourist information board, that will help you plan your visit so you don’t have to worry about accidentally repeating something you’ve already seen.
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hilary D
San Francisco, CA8 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Phil (our guide) and Seamus (our driver) were tops! This was the only big bus tour we’ll do on our trip and it was worth it. Phil is the quintessential tour guide. He was knowledgeable, sincere, funny and great about keeping us informed about itinerary / setting expectations. (He also gave awesome pub and food recommendations along the way and on return to Galway - we took them all!!) Seamus was a safe and friendly driver.
Ultimately Kylemore Abbey wasn’t for me (though the gardens were beautiful, I probably should’ve done the hike instead) I’d still recommend this tour with its well selected stops and awesome narration by Phil.
Ultimately Kylemore Abbey wasn’t for me (though the gardens were beautiful, I probably should’ve done the hike instead) I’d still recommend this tour with its well selected stops and awesome narration by Phil.
Written 16 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Hilary,
Thank you very much for your review. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our Connemara and Kylemore Abbey full day tour.
Thank you for your kind words about Phil and Seamus also. Phil for sure is a great tour guide and Seamus is an expert when it comes to the entertaining West of Ireland roads. We're glad that they added to your experience and overall you had an enjoyable day on tour with us.
Thanks again for your lovely review. We hope that we can welcome you on tour in the future.
Kind regards,
Emma.
Written 25 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Britton B
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Friends
Beautiful scenery & worth the price. Kylemore Abbey was the highlight and really wish we had more than two hours. It really needs at least 3 hours. We had to rush through the main house & gardens and grab a fast lunch to make the time limit. We didn’t even get to see two of the main sites. I think it would be worth extending the time at Kylemore Abbey, and getting rid of some of the other tiny short stops overall worth the price.
We had a Really great driver/guide, Mac. He was incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly considerate. We had a few disruptive passengers on the first leg & he promptly addressed our concerns, and resolved the issue.
We had a Really great driver/guide, Mac. He was incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly considerate. We had a few disruptive passengers on the first leg & he promptly addressed our concerns, and resolved the issue.
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alessandra
4 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
The tour was lovely and reasonably priced for a full day out + entrance at Kylemore Abbey. Our guide, Michael, was prepared and funny, as well as an attentive driver.
Lally Tour offers a much more intimate and pleasurable experience than their competitors, and I totally recommend it to enjoy the beauties of Ireland!
10/10.
Lally Tour offers a much more intimate and pleasurable experience than their competitors, and I totally recommend it to enjoy the beauties of Ireland!
10/10.
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat H
10 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Everything is very well organized, thanks to our super friendly driver Mr Macdara and we even had the chance to hear him sing! The only regret is the weather which was not on our side with non-stop rain and the lack of time to visit the Victorian gardens which were too far away because 2 hours on site (we were well informed of this in advance) but yes we take the time to eat it goes by too quickly and as a result we will only have seen the castle and the church. It was already really sublime, so a very positive experience that we highly recommend!!!
Written 12 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne P
malta41 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
We had a great time on the Connemara and Kylemore Abbey tour with breath-taking vistas, quaint villages and the majestic abbey and Victorian gardens. Our driver Macdara was the best guide one could have wished for; a treasure trove of cultural and historical facts with a sprinkling of witty humour. He was very courteous and kept us all to the required time so that the tour ran smoothly. I really do suggest however that the time at Kylemore Abbey is extended to at least 2.5 hours, to give people time to enjoy the abbey and its exhibits, walk around the gardens and grab a snack at the cafe (which had really yummy open sandwiches and scones with jam and cream) without feeling too rushed. I think most tourists would not mind an earlier start e.g. 9am to be able to cater for this extended time. Overall, this tour is definitely worth doing.
Written 29 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband broke his hip 3 months ago and is limited with just one crutch. Is this a trip that he will be able to do
Written 24 August 2019
Hello Jackie, I think if your husband is able to board and get off the coach he should be ok. There is no need to do a lot of walking because there is a shuttle bus at Kylemore Abbey to take people from the park entrance to the Abbey and gardens.
However, have you thought about putting your question to the tour operator direct? I went with Lally Tours.
Written 25 August 2019
Is this day trip suitable for kids under the age of 5?
Written 8 April 2019
Kylemore Abbey certainly worth a visit but I feel a day on the bus may be a bit of long for your kids
Written 11 April 2019
Hello, I will be traveling to Ireland with a group of 3 or 4 women, arriving October 6, 2019. Is this trip offered privately to small groups or is this with a large group on a big bus? We are interested in the Connemara Day Trip. Does this trip include a drive along Sky Road?
Written 31 March 2019
Hello, the trip I did with Lally Tours was on a coach with other travellers. It is not a private tour. I found our Tour Guide and coach driver had a good manner, he told us a lot about the history of the area whilst being very entertaining and professional in his role as a tour guide.
Written 25 August 2019
What time does the tour return to Galway City?
Written 17 August 2018
How many hours is this tour and how much time do we get in each city?
Written 14 September 2018
bonjour, je voudrai reserver le tour pour le connemara et l'abbaye de kylemore le 12/8 /2018...et j'ai 2 questions :
l'abbaye est elle toujours en travaux?
et est ce que vous effectez vraiment le ramassage devant l'hotel ( jury's inn galway)
merci beaucoup
sophie
Written 28 May 2018
bonjour, finalement j'ai loué une voiture et franchement cela vaut le coup rien que pour suivre la route qui part de clifden jusqu'a galway par la cote...trop beau
Written 9 February 2019
Hi, i sent an e mail with a questions but i didn't get an answer, so i decided to write here. I am interested in Connemara Day Trip but before purchase i would like to know:
1. Should I be prepared to do a lot of walking? How long will we spend in Connemara NT?
2. Do i need to bring my hiking shoes?
thanks in advance
Written 25 May 2018
There is some walking but not long hikes. I think the whole day is in the National Park and they just stop every so often for photo ops. The longest break is at Kylemore Abbey and they have a shuttle you can take to gardens from the Abbey. Hiking shoes might be a good idea incase the places you stop are muddy. Hope this helps!
Written 26 May 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.