Galway & the Contrasts of Connemara

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and continue onwards to our hotel in the Dublin area for our overnight stay.

Galway & the Contrasts of Connemara

We head across to Galway, a thriving, cosmopolitan city with the bonus of a seaside setting. There is plenty to see on our free afternoon here, including the Latin Quarter with its cobblestone streets and colourful shops, Galway Cathedral, one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city, the lively Eyre Square and the scenic Salthill Promenade on the seafront, to name but a few!

Galway & the Contrasts of Connemara

We start the day at Kylemore Abbey and the Victorian Walled Garden. Discover the restored rooms of the beautiful Gothic Abbey, home to a monastic community of nuns since 1920, and the six-acre Victorian Walled Garden where only flower and vegetable varieties from that era are grown. Dating back to the 1860s, this was one of the last walled gardens built in Ireland during the Victorian period, and its magnificence at the time was compared to London’s Kew Gardens.

Then, admire the scenic mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands that make up the Connemara National Park. Covering around 3,000 hectares of scenic countryside, the park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the famous Connemara ponies. There’s also the Visitor Centre, where there’s time to see the exhibits, grab a coffee, or walk one of the woodland trails.

Later, we embark on a captivating journey through Killary Fjord, Ireland’s only fjord, and experience the stunning natural beauty of the region. As we cruise along the 16-kilometre-long inlet, we are surrounded by majestic mountains and lush landscapes that create a breathtaking backdrop. Enjoy the serene waters and remember to keep an eye out for dolphins, seals and a variety of seabirds that call this pristine environment home.

Galway & the Contrasts of Connemara

Today is yours to spend at leisure; enjoy time at the hotel or discover Westport, a colourful town with a welcoming atmosphere. Stroll to Westport Quay, a picturesque waterfront area with scenic views and plenty of cafés to relax in.

Alternatively, join us on an optional excursion to the historic Westport House & Estate, with time to explore its beautiful grounds and heritage. In the afternoon, we continue with a scenic drive to Achill Island, Ireland’s largest island. Take in coastal views as we follow the spectacular Atlantic Coast Drive, part of the world-renowned Wild Atlantic Way.

Galway & the Contrasts of Connemara

After checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin, where we spend the afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of historic sites, architectural splendours and iconic monuments to see, from the oldest, Dublin Castle, to one of the newest, the Spire of Dublin. Or you may like to experience one of Dublin’s traditional pubs – there are 1,000 lining the city’s cobbled streets! We also have the option to join a guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

Galway & the Contrasts of Connemara

We check out of our hotel early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore, a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.

Cruise the glassy waters of Killary Fjord, Ireland’s only fjord, as mountains rise steeply from a glacier-carved inlet. Relax on deck while commentary points out salmon farms, shifting light on Mweelrea’s slopes, and the chance to spot dolphins and seals riding the current.

Stretching some 16 kilometres between counties Galway and Mayo, this natural corridor frames classic west-of-Ireland scenery. Glide past stone-walled fields and quiet shorelines where Gaelic culture endures, and capture wide-angle photos of sea, sky, and peaks in concert.

Experience Dublin at your own pace with convenient central drop-off near the River Liffey. Cross the elegant Ha’penny Bridge, step into courtyards at Dublin Castle, and roam lanes where traditional pubs hum with conversation and song in Temple Bar.

Chart a route past O’Connell Street and the GPO, explore Trinity College’s green squares, or follow Georgian terraces and brightly painted doors. From Viking foundations to a modern cultural capital, Dublin layers history with easy-going charm and café culture.

Visit elegant Westport House, an 18th-century stately home with period interiors and landscaped grounds rolling toward Clew Bay. Wander salons attributed to Cassels and Wyatt, then stroll the terraced lawns and woodlands that frame the estate’s shoreline vistas.

Continue to Achill for the coastal drama of the Atlantic Drive, part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Trace cliffs, bogland, and surf-washed bays with far-reaching views toward Keem and Minaun. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour with your Tour Manager.

Join a guided panoramic tour that threads together Dublin’s story from Viking port to contemporary capital. View the elegant nave of St Patrick’s Cathedral (exterior), admire rows of Georgian doors, and cross the Liffey to landmarks that shaped modern Ireland.

Hear insights on the 1916 Rising at the GPO, pass the grand expanse of Phoenix Park, and get orientation for your own exploring later. This guided experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Visit the storied Kylemore Abbey, mirrored in a still lake beneath Connemara’s hills, and step into restored rooms that reveal life inside this 19th-century home turned Benedictine monastery. Stroll lakeside paths and capture the abbey’s Gothic lakeside setting from classic photo viewpoints.

Continue through the six-acre Victorian Walled Garden, where heritage flowers and vegetables thrive in carefully restored plots. Built in the 1860s and later cared for by a Benedictine community since 1920, Kylemore blends romantic architecture with living tradition.

Discover Connemara National Park, a tapestry of blanket bogs and heath, native woodland, and mountain views shaped by ice and Atlantic weather. Call at the Visitor Centre in Letterfrack for exhibits on wildlife and geology, then choose an easy waymarked trail for fresh-air viewpoints and quiet moments.

Watch for the hardy Connemara ponies grazing near the foothills of the Twelve Bens and Maumturk ranges. With roughly 3,000 hectares protected, the park showcases the wild character that defines Ireland’s west.

Explore Galway’s spirited heart with a short orientation around the Latin Quarter and lively Eyre Square before time to wander at your own pace. Trace the Corrib to the Spanish Arch, admire the bold silhouette of Galway Cathedral, and follow sea breezes along the colorful cafés and bars that fringe the waterfront.

Soak up a city famed for street music, craft shops, and Atlantic light. Browse independent boutiques, pause for oysters, or enjoy a free afternoon strolling the Salthill Promenade—locals still “kick the wall” for luck where the walkway meets the sea.