Departing from Galway at 10:00 AM, you begin your fully guided tour of Connemara & Cong at our first photo stop near the scenic Inagh Valley.
Our main stop is the enchanting Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Gardens. The admission fee for Kylemore Abbey is charged separately at the discounted price of €14 per person (tickets are purchased in cash from your driver). Admission includes entrance to the Abbey, the shuttle bus to the walled gardens and entry to the Neo Gothic Church.
There is also a restaurant where you can purchase a hearty lunch and a gift shop for souvenirs.
After this visit you explore the wilder Connemara regions visiting Killary Fjord and experience the stark beauty of the valleys of Connemara through the hidden Lough Nafooey route.
Arriving in Cong village, you will enjoy a 45-minute break to inspect the ruins of the Old Abbey and take a walk in Cong Woods, wander the streets made famous by the Quiet Man movie before returning to Galway by approximately 18:00
✓ Professional Local Driver/Guide ( English only )✓ Air-conditioned vehicle✓ Live commentary on board✕ Food and drinks✕ Kylemore Abbey entrance fee (optional, payable to the driver)✕ Gratuities✕ Pickup from all locations ( except main departure point )1 Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden
Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful Connemara castle, offers much history of romance and tragedy, captivating visitors who step upon its threshold.
The Abbey is a beautiful, neo-gothic, building built-in 1868 by Mitchell Henry for his wife. It is now home to the Benedictine Nuns, and here you can enjoy their excellent home cooking while visiting the Abbey and the restored walled gardens.
The grounds and surrounding mountains and lakes are steeped in rich Irish history, and you can learn all about this on our Connemara & Cong Tour.
The Abbey and estate are open all year round and include the Abbey, a Gothic Church, the walled gardens, a craft shop, pottery studio, restaurant and tea rooms, as well as the lake and woodland walks.
· 2 h · Admission not included
2 Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib is the largest lake within the Republic of Ireland and the second largest on the island of Ireland (after Lough Neagh). ( It covers 176 km² )
· 5 min
3 Killary Fjord
Killary Harbour is Ireland’s only true fjord and extends 16km (10 miles) in from the Atlantic .It's extremely deep, over 45m at its centre.
This offers a very safe, sheltered anchorage, because of the depth and the mountains to the south and north.
It is a centre for shellfish farming, and strings of ropes used to grow mussels are visible for much of its length.
· 15 min
4 Cong
Only an hour’s drive from Westport, Cong is a small village in south Mayo famous for its 12th century abbey, the lavish gold and silver processional Cross of Cong from 1123, the magnificent Ashford Castle, the village’s links with Oscar Wilde and, most popularly, its association with the John Wayne classic movie, The Quiet Man.
· 30 min
5 Royal Abbey of Cong
A magnificent Augustinian Abbey dating back to the early 12th century
· 15 min
Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking
Please check in at our office by 9:40–9:45 AM at the latest. Allow extra travel time, as traffic in Galway City can be heavy, especially during peak hours. Public paid parking is available on Merchants Road.
Please check in at our office by 9:40–9:45 AM at the latest. Allow extra travel time, as traffic in Galway City can be heavy, especially during peak hours. Public paid parking is available on Merchants Road.
Travelers cannot enter their own pickup location
Meeting point:
Kinlay Hostel Galway, Merchants Rd, Eyre Square, Galway, H91 F2KT, Ireland
Please be there by 9:40 am
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Service animals allowed Public transportation options are available nearby Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Suitable for all physical fitness levels Public car park near ( Q-Park Eyre Square , Q-Park Hynes Yard) Children must be accompanied by an adult Seats are not assigned Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately Connemara, Cong & Kylemore Abbey Tour from Galway
Wear comfortable shoes for walking. Dress in layers as Irish weather can change quickly. Bring cash for optional entrance fees and souvenirs. Allow ample time for travel to the meeting point. Enjoy the live commentary from your driver/guide. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 5750CONNEMARA
Activity offered by Galway Tour Company via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center Nature lovers History enthusiasts Photography buffs Fans of 'The Quiet Man' movie Explore the wild beauty of Connemara Visit the historic Kylemore Abbey Discover the charming village of Cong See Ireland's only true fjord Enjoy scenic drives through valleys and along lakes
Population 83,456 (2022)
Elevation 25 m
Currency euro
Official languages Irish, English
Driving on the left
Power plugs G · 230 V
Emergency number 112
Capital city Dublin Average temperatures 5° Jan 5° Feb 6° Mar 9° Apr 11° May 14° Jun 15° Jul 15° Aug 13° Sept 10° Oct 7° Nov 5° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
Is the entrance fee to Kylemore Abbey included? + No, the entrance fee to Kylemore Abbey is not included and is payable to the driver in cash for a discounted price of €14 per person. This includes entrance to the Abbey, the shuttle bus to the walled gardens, and entry to the Neo Gothic Church.
What time does the tour return to Galway? + The tour is expected to return to Galway by approximately 18:00.
What should I bring with me? + It is recommended to bring cash for optional entrance fees and souvenirs, and to dress appropriately for all weather conditions.
Are there options for lunch? + Yes, there is a restaurant at Kylemore Abbey where you can purchase lunch.
Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels? + Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.
★★★★★ Viator review
Absolutely astonishing...
Daria_D, October 2026
Absolutely astonishing scenery and the driver was very knowledgeable of history and fun facts! Highly recommend
★★★★★ Viator review
Wonderful Tour
Maryellen_J, October 2026
Made a last minute decision to book the tour and so glad we did. Not only were the sights beautiful but our tour guide, Mike, was knowledgeable and entertaining. Just a wonderful host.
★★★★★ Viator review
Wonderful experience!
Lindsey_G, October 2026
We had a wonderful day on our tour! Mike was fantastic! We loved the stories. I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to get out of the big cities.
★★★★★ Viator review
Connemara and Kylemore Abby will take your breath away
Molly_M, October 2026
First, Mike our tour guide and driver was FANTASTIC, knowledgeable, funny, patient and a good driver.
Mike stopped periodically at stops with amazing views which was unexpected and much appreciated.
Kylemore Abbey was a wonderful destination, it is even better looking in person than the travel brochures.
Connemara was breathtakingly beautiful.
This is a must do for anyone who loves nature and photography.
The only, very minor, criticism is the front windshield should have been cleaned before departure.
★★★★★ Viator review
Amazing Experience!!
Sam_F, October 2026
I got engaged during this experience, the bus driver made us feel extremely comfortable and he was hilarious. He knew so much about everything and he was so kind and supportive with our big day!! He even took some pictures of us!! Absolutely amazing experience!!
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