Our May 2018 tour of Ireland will conclude with either a trip to the Aran Islands or free time in Galway.  Earlier this month I posted some information on the Aran Islands trip, but if you prefer to see more of the mainland, here are some great suggestions for how to spend that free day in Galway and the surrounding area:

1. Kylemore Abbey and Ross Errilly Friary day trip:  Take a ride through some of the most beautiful countryside Ireland has to offer in the Connemara region.  You’ll stop at a well preserved Franciscan Friary and visit Kylemore Abbey along with its Gothic style chapel and walled Victorian gardens.  You’ll also visit the village of Cong where The Quiet Man (starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara) was filmed.  https://www.viator.com/tours/Galway/Connemara-Day-Trip-from-Galway-Kylemore-Abbey-and-Ross-Errilly-Friary/d5156-5750CONNEMARA
   
2. Wild Atlantic Way Horseback Ride:  Do you love horses and sand?  Take a half-day guided horseback ride along Omey Beach.  You’ll see Courthoor Lough, Omey Island and some Connemara ponies along the way.  https://www.viator.com/tours/Galway/Connemara-Wild-Escapes-Beach-horse-riding-Wild-Atlantic-Way-Half-Day-Guided/d5156-11121P9
   
3. Tour Galway:  This beautiful city has a wide variety of tours to choose from or combine for a full day of fun and exploration.  Take a two-hour food and wine tasting tour, enjoy a three-to-four-hour bicycle tour of the city or opt for the flexible hop-on hop-off bus tour of Galway.    https://www.viator.com/tours/Galway/Galway-Food-Tours/d5156-33310P1; https://www.viator.com/tours/Galway/Guided-Bicycle-Tour-of-Galway-City/d5156-40180P1; https://www.viator.com/tours/Galway/Historic-Galway-City-Tour-Hop-On-Hop-Off/d5156-8625P3

   

   photo courtesy of Passports.com

4. Take some great part-day tours near Galway:  You can enjoy some time in the city and still fit in some short excursions for nearby experiences.
• Hill Sheep Farming and Sheepdog Trial Experience:  If you’ve come to Ireland to see the beautiful countryside and iconic site of sheep in the fields, this is a great experience to witness.  An export sheep dog trainer and his dog will give an impressive demonstration.  https://www.viator.com/tours/Galway/Joyce-Country-Sheepdogs/d5156-27244P1
  
• Killary Fjord Boat Tour:  This short tour allows you to explore the only fjord in Ireland.  You may even see some dolphins.  http://www.killaryfjord.com/
5. Brown Trout Fly Fishing day tour:  Enjoy an 8 hour fly fishing trip on Lough Corrib in County Galway.  The tour includes a guide and boat hire.  Take a lunch break at one of the numerous islands in Lough Corrib and just enjoy the Irish countryside and wildlife on this relaxing tour.  https://www.viator.com/tours/Galway/Brown-Trout-Fly-Fishing-Day-Tour-in-Lough-Corrib-County-Galway/d5156-11121P40
6. Connemara Walking tours:  Whether you want a gentle walk through the countryside or some more strenuous hiking or hillwalking, there are a wide variety to walking tours through the breathtaking Connemara region.  Group tours can be booked or individuals can join already scheduled tours with guides and equipment included. http://www.walkconnemara.com/
   
7. Kayaking Connemara:  You can even take a more adventurous scenic tour of the Wild Atlantic Way with a half-day, guided kayak tour.  Visit local salmon farms and navigate sea caves and arches as you make your way along the Connemara coastline.  https://www.viator.com/tours/Galway/Sea-Kayaking-Adventure-in-the-Wilds-of-Connemara/d5156-11121P12

If you have sites you especially want to see in the west or northwest of Ireland, you can also join a planned tour or hire a guide for a customized day tour.  I’d suggest checking out Emerald Isle Tour’s day tours page for ideas:  http://www.emeraldisletour.com/day-tours.html.

And for more information on Galway, check out http://www.galwaytourism.ie/ptours-galway.html.