Connemara and Galway City Day Tour from Dublin: Explore Barren Landscapes and Beautiful Tribal City

Embark on a day tour from Dublin to Connemara and Galway City. Discover the barren landscapes and untouched beauty of Connemara, featured in famous movies. Explore the traditional and colorful tribal city of Galway. Book now!

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Paddywagon Tours - We depart Dublin and make our way West for a great day Tour to Connemara.On our way across the midlands of Ireland we shall make a comfort stop for refreshments and a chance to stretch your legs.On arrival in Connemara, We will visit the picturesque village of Cong, this is a national Tidy-Town winner and the location for the Oscar winning Hollywood movie - The Quiet Man.
  • Glengowla Mines & Family Farm Experience - Enjoy a stop at the family farm experience and historic underground mine at Glengowla. Beneath the surface the show mines are atmospheric while above ground learn about traditional farming methods including turf cutting and sheepdog demonstrations.
  • Connemara - Enjoy a spectacular road trip with views of Joyce country and the mountains of Connemara.
    We continue our drive through the wilderness of Connemara with its unique landscape, beautiful lakes, valleys, and mountainous scenery. Ravaged by famine, and predominantly Gaelic the people here still strive to maintain the remanence of rural culture and the traditional Irish way of life.
    We head back to Galway via the Deserted Maam Valley, an area of scenic and unsurpassed beauty with the lakes of Connemara which unfold in among the twelve Bens mountains. We then travel back along the coast and Galway Bay through Spiddal, and enjoy magnificent views of the Atlantic Coastline to Galway and Aran Islands.
  • Galway Bay - We arrive in Galway, known as the city of tribes and once home to Christopher Columbus. The city is Ireland’s traditional capital and home to some of our finest traditional musicians. Our 2 hour stop allows you to explore the city at your leisure. Explore highlights like the Spanish Arch, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the colourful Shop Street or maybe even sample some world famous Galway Bay oysters.
  • Paddy’s Palace - The tour will depart Galway at 17.00 to return to Dublin at approximately 7:30pm.
What's Included
  • On-board WiFi
  • Professional guide
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges included
  • USB ports at every seat
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and Drink
Additional Information

Connemara is genuinely the untouched realm of Ireland, deeply affected during the catastrophic potato famine of 1847-1851. Despite its desolate appearance, it maintains its inherent allure. 

Its stunning lakes, picturesque castles, stone barriers, and abandoned valleys have made it a popular setting for several big-screen productions, including The Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, and The Guard featuring Brendan Gleeson. 

The tour not only acquaints you with this spectacular Irish region but also includes a two-hour stopover in Galway city. This provides ample opportunity to discover the key features of this conventional, vibrant, and stunning indigenous metropolis.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Bookings made through Viator will automatically be signed up for the pickup point and collection time specified in the booking.
  • If you wish to change your reservation to one of the other pick-up locations offered by Paddywagon Tours, you will need to contact us by telephone or email not later than 17:00 the evening prior so that we can guarantee the change. Please note that changes are only guaranteed once confirmed in writing by us.
Location
34 O'Connell Street Lower
O'Connell Street Lower
Meet at Paddywagon Office at The Spire - 34 O'Connell Street Lower, Dublin 1.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.2
(84 Ratings)
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136franklinr
May 19, 2024
Fantastic Connemara and Galway Trip with Driver Ian - I recently took a trip withmy partner to Connemara and Galway, and it was an unforgettable experience, largely thanks to our driver, Ian. The journey was not only scenic and beautiful but also incredibly fun and informative. Ian's knowledge of the area is impressive, and he shared fascinating stories and historical insights throughout the trip. His humor kept us all entertained, making the long drives between stops feel short and enjoyable. From the stunning landscapes of Connemara to the vibrant atmosphere of Galway, every part of the trip was well-planned and enriching. Ian's passion for the region truly shone through, adding a personal touch to the tour. I highly recommend this trip to anyone looking to explore this beautiful part of Ireland. And if you’re lucky enough to have Ian as your driver, you’re in for a fantastic time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danaba9561ic
Jul 15, 2023
Trip to Conemara - It was great visiting the Glengowla Mines and Galway City. Besides that, there was a fair in Galway, and I had the oportunity to buy nice gifts.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bigmouth2023
Jul 11, 2023
A great experience to the west of Ireland - Amazing day trip to the City of Galway and the Glengowla mines. Josh was a very knowledgeable tour guide and Riccardo a great driver. Was the highlight of the week away.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sherry_w
Jun 22, 2023
A lovely day out - We enjoyed Galway and the sheep dog demo. The scenery was lovely. Our driver was very knowledgeable about the area and was very friendly.
Review provided by Viator
Camille_a
Jul 8, 2024
Very good I'll do it again - Very good lake and the chauffeur was really nice , he didn't talk to much and not not enough so it was perfect
Review provided by Viator
Jeanp_p
Apr 20, 2024
The stop at the... - The stop at the Lead/Silver mine and watching the sheep dog in action at this country property was very interesting. Galway was busy but maybe could have had more time to explore. Long time in the bus. Our tour guide, Dominic, was very good
Review provided by Viator
Giovannimn2959yr
Jul 31, 2023
Nice excursion but bad driver - Beautiful excursion , clean buses, but a bad experience with the driver on the morning way, he was very rude and rude to us who were seated in the front, even to my 81-year-old mother. I advise the tourist agency to better select the drivers, finally we are customers
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Odyssey41728230545
Dec 9, 2023
Waste of time and money - Waste of time - This isn’t day tour it’s merely A van tour where guide stops at Spar near Connemara and gives 40 mins time to shop and drink coffee and starts vehicle and shows stuff around in his Van. And gives 3 hours time in Galway city to shop, which everyone usually does I don’t recommend this tour it’s waste of time, money and you’ll be bored sitting in vehicle throughout the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thomas_b
Sep 6, 2023
Terrible Galway, Paddywagon experience-bait and switch-what a disappointment! DO NOT USE! - What a terrible experience from beginning to end. Mass confusion at Paddywagon pick-up point. Once on the bus we discovered we were with 1, 2, and 3-day travelers. It became obvious our driver, Alex, was not interested in the one-day Dublin to Galway to Dublin group. Very little, sometimes condescending commentary from Alex. No advice or maps from our "professional (not) guide" on what to see in Galway. Once in town the day-trippers were kicked-out at Eyre Square, and told "see you in 2.5 hours...I will be back with a bus to get you back to Dublin." At meeting time we all arrived as scheduled, and Alex seemed incredulous that our Paddy Wagon return bus was not there. He then walked us 2 blocks, got on his phone, and then walked us another 2 blocks to the City Bus Station -- and right to the staging slot of the inner-city public bus to Dublin/Dublin airport -- 3 minutes before its departure for Dublin. No time for a rest stop, no time to pick up a snack. Couples were "on your own" to find a seat together (they could not), and families with children were split-up. Note: this bus maneuver was all planned, as I saw Alex show our electronic bus tickets to the dispatcher as we boarded. Of course, the 2+ hour drive back had no commentary, no restroom breaks, and did not even get us back to where we started. Paddywagon: shame on you! Viator: we have booked dozens of tours/experiences with you in the past 10 years. All have been 4 or 5 star. This was a "ZERO"... I expect a full refund. Now!
Review provided by Viator
Carolelo4932dq
Aug 1, 2023
Avoid the tour and take the train to Galaway - Very disappointing tour! We arrived early to disorganized meeting place. Waited in the cold for 45 minutes for the bus. Instead of 8 am, left Dublin at 9am. We were told we were not going to the silver mine or see the sheep dogs. We arrived Galway six hours later at 3 pm, after making only 2 short stops, at a rest stop and at Cong. Six hours onbus with very little orientation and limited comments from driver, instead left radio on. Dumped in Galway with only 90 minutes to see the town with no guide and no orientarion to the town. We decided to pay for a trainride return to Dublin rather than endure another unpleasant bus ride. Train to Galaway would have been faster, cheaper and more pleasant. Avoid Galway tour w Paddywagon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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