from
$138
Connemara Day Trip from Galway with Kylemore Abbey and Sheepdogs
Explore a 19th-century castle inside and out, then watch herding dogs in action at a working farm
8 h
Max 25 Guests
Renting a car to find Connemara Nation Park's best spots on your own can eat up half a day in lost time. Instead, this day trip rolls you west of Galway on a comfy coach with a local guide who knows every back road. Walk inside the stunning Kylemore castle turned Abbey with your guide, then wander the Victorian Garden at your own pace. Lastly, arrive at a farm to watch working sheepdogs, and potentially hold baby lambs and puppies. Get the full story of Connemara in one easy day with an expert.
What's included
Experience rural Ireland in its purest form
Expert English-speaking local guide
Round-trip coach from Galway
Entry to Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden
Guided tour inside Kylemore Abbey
Sheepdog demonstration at Joyce Country Sheepdogs
30-minute stop in Leenane village
Guide tips
Lunch
Itinerary
Your tour begins in central Galway
Meet your local guide at the designated meeting point in central Galway and board a comfortable midi-coach. Settle in for the ride west into Connemara, a rugged region of bog land, lakes, and mountains on Ireland's Atlantic coast.
Pause in the lakeside village of Leenane
Pull into Leenane, a harbor village tucked between the Maumturk and Mweelrea mountains, home to Killary Harbour, Ireland's only natural fjord. Take time to grab a coffee or lunch, or browse the Connemara Sheep and Wool Centre.
Explore the fairy-tale grounds of Kylemore Abbey
After your break, continue on to the next stop. Step into Kylemore Abbey, a 19th-century neo-Gothic castle turned Benedictine monastery. Follow your guide through the elegant interiors, then set off to wander the Gothic church and Victorian Walled Gardens independently.
Watch border collies at work on a working farm
Depart the Abbey, and head to meet third-generation farmer Joe Joyce and his border collies for an hour-long demo of traditional sheep herding. Cuddle a sheepdog puppy, hold a baby lamb in season, and say hello to miniature ponies and donkeys.
Drive past the peaks of the Twelve Bens
Roll past the Twelve Bens, a chain of quartzite peaks rising over the lakes of Connemara on your way back to Galway. Keep your camera ready as your guide shares tales of the area's bog land, Irish-speaking Gaeltacht traditions, and old legends.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
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Start times are in the product’s local time
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
Thu, 11 Jun 2026
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