The Connemara Loop
Scenic route of must see Connemara places 🏖️🏕️🌄
The Connemara Loop, to the North West of Connemara is one of the most scenic places to visit in the West of Ireland. Now part of the Wild Atlantic Way, this corner of Connemara, with its ever changing landscape, presents visitors with the most spectacular mountain views, mist covered lakes, pre-historic bogs, shady glens and remote, unspoilt beaches facing out towards the wild Atlantic.
Connemara Loop highlights
The landscape is dotted with quaint but lively villages where modern conveniences are available along with an opportunity to step back in time to a more relaxed era at a slower pace of life. The Connemara Loop is the ideal location all year round for holiday getaways with your family or for couples looking to escape to a unique destination of for adventure back-packers of all ages.
The Connemara Loop is well signposted and takes you through the villages and townlands of Maam Cross, Maam, Leenane, Killary Fjord, Lettergesh, Tully Cross, Tully, Renvyle, Derryinver, Letterfrack, Kylemore, the Inagh Valley and Recess.
Tour Connemara
Connemara Loop: what to expect
video by www.goconnemara.com
Connemara Loop Map
Connemara Loop FAQs
What accommodation options are on the Connemara Loop?
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Kylemore Pass Hotel & Restaurant
Set on almost 5 acres overlooking the Inagh Valley and the Twelve Pins and Maamturk Mountains, Kylemore Pass is a truly unique place to immerse yourself in the beauty of Connemara. -
Connemara National Park Hostel
Located in the community of Letterfrack, this hostel provides excellent self-catering accommodation with 11 ensuite bedrooms. -
Rosleague Manor Hotel
A regency manor now run as a luxury country house hotel, Rosleague is located 7 miles northwest of Clifden overlooking Ballinakill Bay, near Connemara National Park. -
Renvyle House Hotel
Surrounded by private parkland on the Atlantic shore, Renvyle House features a golf course, a seasonal outdoor pool, and an award-winning restaurant. -
Leenane Hotel
Enjoy a uniquely scenic stay in Leenane overlooking Killary Harbour, Ireland’s deepest fjord. This three-star hotel offers 66 ensuite guest bedrooms — most with stunning harbour or mountain views.
Where is good to eat on the Connemara Loop?
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Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden
This striking neo-Gothic castle, built by Mitchell Henry in 1868, offers a large café and restaurant serving hot meals and drinks daily — accessible even without a gardens ticket. -
Killary Sheep and Wool Centre
Learn about Connemara’s wool heritage in Leenane and enjoy light bites, soups, and desserts at the Bia Blas Café. -
Kings Shop & Coffee Bar
Located in Lettergesh, Renvyle, this charming stop serves great coffee and snacks for a quick refuel. -
Veldons Seafarer Bar & Restaurant
A local favourite in Letterfrack offering fine seafood and hearty fare with both bar and restaurant service. -
Anglers Rest Bar
A cozy, family-run pub in Tullycross known for friendly service, good food, and a warm welcome. -
Clover Fox Pub and Restaurant
Nestled in Letterfrack, Clover Fox combines excellent food with stunning views of Diamond Hill. -
Hamiltons Bar
Situated in Leenane, Hamiltons serves hearty lunches and fresh seafood in a traditional pub setting. -
Gaynors Bar
Also in Leenane, Gaynors is perfect for a relaxing pint by the turf fire alongside comforting soup and sandwiches.
What species of marine life can be seen on Connemara beaches?
- Various seabirds
- Otters
- Sea anemones
- Sea urchins
- Shrimps
- Crabs
What birdlife can be found along the coast of Connemara?
- Turnstones
- Curlews
- Sanderlings
- Oystercatchers
- Redshank
- Bar-tailed godwit
- Common shag
- Cormorant
- Grey herons
- Lesser black-backed gull
- Great black-backed gull
- Herring gull
- Black-headed gull
- Common gull
- Glaucous gull
- Iceland gull
- Terns
What coastal plants are common in Connemara?
- Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum)
- Thrift or seapink (Armeria maritima)
- Common scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis)
- Biting stonecrop or wall-pepper (Sedum acre)
- Orchids (Common spotted, Early-purple, Pyramidal, Fragrant)
- Wild thyme (Thymus polytrichus)
What types of seaweeds grow on the Connemara coast?
- Bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
- Dabberlocks (Alaria esculenta)
- Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca)
- Carragheen or Irish moss (Chondrus crispus)
- Poor-man’s weatherglass (Laminaria saccharina)
- Lithothamnia
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