The West:Layout 1 02/05/2007 17:20 Page 199
GALWAY – CLIFDEN – WESTPORT – HEADFORD: APPROX 230KM
Castlebar
Westport N5
ROADTRIP
R335 Murrisk
Louisburgh
N84
Partry
R335
Renvyle
Lough
Ballinrobe
Leenane Mask
N59 R334
Letterfrack
Kylemore Abbey Neale
R345
FROM GALWAY CITY, TAKE THE N59 TO ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC AREAS
Connemara
National Park Cong
Clifden
R334
N59 Recess Lough
OF IRELAND, CONNEMARA. AFTER DRIVING THROUGH THE TOWNS OF
Maam Cross Corrib
Headford
R341 N59 Oughterard
MOYCULLEN AND ROSCAHILL, YOU WILL REACH OUGHTERARD. AS YOU
Roundstone
Roscahill
N59
N84
DRIVE FURTHER WEST, CROSSING THE OWENCLIFF RIVER YOU WILL
Moycullen
BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE CONNEMARA’S BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
GALWAY
A further 20km west will bring you to Maam Cross, a lively market town. Further west is the village of Recess and
about 5km after this, a turn left will bring you to the pretty coastal town of Roundstone. Continuing straight on
towards Clifden, you will pass the Derryclare Lough and the Twelve Bens. Clifden, one of liveliest towns in
Connemara, is a good place to stop for lunch. There are also a number of good walking routes in the area. Driving
along Sky Road, the coastal route affords you stunning views.
Continue north along the N59 towards Letterfrack. Turning north-west off the road will take you to the lovely
coastal village of Renvyle. Renvyle House, a beautiful old house once owned by Oliver St. John Gogarty is located
here. Return the short distance to Letterfrack and rejoin the N59 which will bring you east to Kylemore Abbey.
Situated just eight miles from Clifden and nestled at the base of Duchruagh Mountain, on the northern shore of
Lough Pollacappul in the heart of the Connemara Mountains, Kylemore Abbey is well worth a visit. Built originally
as a castle in 1868 it is one of the best examples of Irish neo-gothic architecture and is today home to the only
order of Benedictine nuns in Ireland. Connemara National Park is nearby.
Following the route west of the Abbey towards Leenane you are in the heart of Connemara where the landscape
is at its most dramatic and rugged. Passing Killary Harbour you will soon reach Leenane, well known as the setting for
the movie The Field. From Leenane get back on the N59 going west towards Westport. Turning left onto the R335
will take you on a winding route through valleys and mountains, past the Doolough Pass, and via Cregganbaun to the
unspoiled village of Louisburgh which is renowned for its beaches, some of which are great for surfing.
From Louisburgh the R335 will take you to Westport which is 19km away. This will take you along the coast road,
with its stunning views of Clew Bay and the key-shaped Achill Island. On the way you will pass through the village
of Murrisk. Here lies the majestic Croagh Patrick Mountain, a place of pilgrimage which is climbed by thousands
each year on ‘Reek Sunday’, which is on the last Sunday of July. The National Famine Monument, erected to mark
the 150th anniversary of the famine, is situated at the foot of Croagh Patrick. Continuing along the R335 you will
arrive at Westport, one of the prettiest towns in Ireland and one of the country’s few planned towns. Westport has
a number of beautiful beaches. Situated in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, the Carrowbeg River flows through the
town. Westport House and Estate is situated just 3.2km from the town near to Westport Quay. Leaving Westport take
the N5, the main road to Castlebar, Mayo’s capital town which is 18km away. At Castlebar veer off the main road to
join the N84 which will bring you through Partry to the market town of Ballinrobe. At Ballinrobe take the R334 to
the tiny village of Neale. The road forks here. Veering right will take you onto the R345 to Cong, where the magnificent
Ashford Castle is situated. Once the home of the Guinness family, Ashford Castle is now one of the country’s most
exclusive hotels. From Cong continue east on the R334 towards Headford. On the way you will pass the ruins of
Moyne Castle. From Headford take the N84 bringing you back to Galway City along the banks of Lough Corrib.
the west 199
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