{"id":1410,"date":"2018-12-11T14:37:32","date_gmt":"2018-12-11T14:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/?p=1410"},"modified":"2022-05-13T08:49:51","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T07:49:51","slug":"perfect-connemara-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/perfect-connemara-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfect Weekend in Connemara Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Welcome to our guide for the perfect weekend in Connemara<\/h2>\n<p>For the purpose of this guide we assume you arrive on Friday evening and leave on Sunday afternoon. We\u2019ve also assumed it\u2019s not the middle of winter, so we\u2019ve given ourselves an extra few hours of daylight. If you\u2019re unsure about how long it takes to travel here \u2013 check out this handy graphic we made.<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Day 1 stop 1<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Kayaking with Real Adventures at 10am<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Meet with your guide at Mannin Bay. Once you\u2019re into your wetsuit and helmet you\u2019ll get a quick demonstration and safety brief before hitting the water. From the beach you\u2019ll paddle around a small headland, taking in the coastal wildlife and rock formations. You\u2019ll go in and out of some inlets and explore parts of this area you won&#8217;t see from land! Once you\u2019ve been in your kayak for a while you\u2019ll really feel like you\u2019re mastering some skills and navigating yourself in and out of some different spaces. Enjoy exploring this ancient hidden wonderland. There\u2019s plenty of wildlife and birds to be seen, and occasionally you could spot a dolphin. There will chances for some cliff jumps if you\u2019re up for it. You\u2019ll be heading back to shore for 12.30am<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Day 1 stop 2<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>A scenic drive around Aughrus Peninsula\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is one of the lesser known areas in the Connemara region, but it doesn\u2019t lack in natural wonders and stunning views. Follow the road all around Aughris Lough with the sea on your right hand side. You\u2019ll pass a number of beaches the most stunning of which being \u2018Anchor Beach\u2019 where a giant anchor lies wedged in the sand. Finishing around 13.30<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Day 1 stop 3<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Omey Island<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When you reach the town land of Claddaghduff, you\u2019ll see a turn for Omey Island. This is a tidal Island, you can drive or walk over at low-tide. Just follow the signs across the strand. Do check the tide times before you go. If the tide is in, there\u2019s a car park here where you can admire the view. If you cross to the Island you can drive out to the far side and admire some massive waves as they crash in off the Atlantic Ocean. Closer to the mainland are the remains of St Feicin Monastery. They are hidden in the sand dunes and were only recently uncovered. One Sunday every August horse races are held on the strand when the tide is out (check updates for confirmation of this years event), well worth making the trip out for this special occasion Finishing around 2:30<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 1 \u2013 Stop 4<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweeneysbarcladdaghduff.com\/\">Sweeney\u2019s of Claddaghduff<\/a> for Lunch<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This bar serves a great pint of Guinness and the best open crab sandwich you\u2019ll ever have \u2013 promise!<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Alternatively you could head back to Cleggan Village and enjoy some great seafood in Oliviers Bar overlooking the pier. Finishing around 3.15<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Day 1 stop 5<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Connemara National Park<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Enjoy some of the looped walks in the Park, these range in distance. I\u2019d recommend going up Diamond Hill, if it\u2019s a clear day the views are phenomenal. It\u2019s a bit of a climb, for which you\u2019ll be well rewarded.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Finishing around 5.30<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 1 \u2013 Stop 6<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walshsbakery.ie\/\"><strong>Walsh\u2019s Bakery Clifden<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This family run bakery does a great range of classical baked goodies. Grab something and head back to your hotel room for a quick nap before you head out for the night, or have a swim in the hotel pool. Heading out again around 7.30<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 1 \u2013 Stop 7<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/guysbarclifden.com\/\"><strong>Guys Bar &amp; Snug<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">A great spot for relaxed pub grub in Clifden. You\u2019ll have worked up quite an appetite at this stage. Finishing around 8<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 1 \u2013 Stop 8<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lowrysbar.ie\/\"><strong>Lowry\u2019s Pub<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">A traditional Irish pub, where the music and chat flows. You\u2019ll be swept up along the singing and craic before you know it.<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 1 \u2013 Stop 9<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foyleshotel.com\/mullarkeys-bar.html\"><strong>Mullarkey\u2019s Bar<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Are you tired yet?? If you\u2019re still on your feet, there\u2019s an eclectic range of music in Mullarkey\u2019s Bar most nights of the week during the summer.<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 2 \u2013 Stop 1<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>The Bog Road<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">From Clifden follow the Road to Ballyconneely. Take the turn to the left signed for Cashel after a few kilometres. This stunning road, wanders and meanders through hundreds of small lakes and is quite mesmerising.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Finishing at 10<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 2 \u2013 Stop 2<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Roundstone Village<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Enjoy a wander around this scenic fishing village. There\u2019s a number of cafes and shops. A favourite of mine is Roundstone Pottery, who produce some really beautiful ceramics. Finishing at 11.30<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 2 \u2013 Stop 3<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Inis Nee Walking Loop<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This island is connected to the mainland by a long bridge. Park your car at the start of the trail head. The walk takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. The first half of the walk is along a quiet road, then this turns into an old boreen, and then loops back the the start. There are great views of Roundstone Village and Cashel Hill. Finishing at 12.45<\/p>\n<h4>Day 2 \u2013 Stop 4<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.odowdsseafoodbar.com\/\"><strong>Lunch at \u00a0O\u2019Dowds<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This famous seafood bar and restaurant has been going for years. It\u2019s a real institution in the Connemara area, serving classic dishes like prawn cocktail as well as Seafood platter, mussels and Irish Stew. Finishing 2.00<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/activities\/coasteering\/\">Coasteering<\/a> in Ballyconneely with Real Adventures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Arriving for 2.30<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Get back to the wetsuit and helmet for your second trip to the salty sea this weekend. Now you\u2019ll be climbing along the rocks, in and out of the water. It\u2019s a bit like scrambling and rock climbing, you\u2019ll feel pretty invincible with all the safety gear on! You\u2019ll be shown some good places to jump from a height into the swell. There will also be a chance to swim under some arches and into some caves too. Watch out for the waves behind you. Before you know it, it\u2019s time to get warm and dry again.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Finishing at 5pm<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"42\">Day 2 \u2013 Stop 5<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Take a quick pit-stop at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.keoghsballyconneely.com\/\">Keogh&#8217;s Pub<\/a> for some grub, before make your journey home!<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">We hope you come back again soon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to our guide for the perfect weekend in Connemara For the purpose of this guide we assume you arrive on Friday evening and leave on Sunday afternoon. We\u2019ve also assumed it\u2019s not the middle of winter, so we\u2019ve given ourselves an extra few hours of daylight. If you\u2019re unsure about how long it takes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1427,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-picks"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"title_trimmed":"Perfect Weekend in Connemara Itinerary","thumbnail":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/derryclare-1-e1544625434691.jpg","date_formated":"11 Dec 2018","term_items":[{"term_name":"Top picks","term_link":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/category\/top-picks\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1410"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3030,"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1410\/revisions\/3030"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/realadventures.ie\/connemara\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}