Home > Touring Ireland > Sample Itineraries > Shannon to Galway

Shannon to Galway

Distance: About 65 miles (104km), including all detours.

This is a useful and enjoyable tour, easily completed in a half day, for any one travelling from Shannon (A) to Galway (G) on arrival in Ireland. It can also serve as a link day between time spent in the West and the South-West or of course it can be reversed and done in the other direction.

 

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Quin Abbey

Quin Abbey, Co ClareFew tourists make it to Quin Abbey (B), so it will be very quiet here. The Abbey was built on the ruins of a 13th century Norman castle, which was itself built on the site of an earlier church. It is easy to pick out the remains of the castle, though the abbey has been here since 1433.

Although now a ruin, there are interesting passageways and stairways to explore and a lovely peaceful cloister where it is easy to imagine monks in silent prayer. The adjoining graveyard is fascinating; people are still buried here today as they have been for the last 6 centuries or more and there are some wonderful headstones.

Ennis

Ennis (C) is a busy and attractive medieval town of narrow streets and lanes - with some traffic problems as you may find out!

If you have time, the walking tour which leaves from the tourist office is well worth doing as it points out many features of the town which you might not otherwise notice. Ennis Friary was founded by the Franciscans in the 13th century and has a beautiful interior with a number of interesting 15th and 16th century sculptures.

Kilmacduagh

The round tower at Kilmacduagh (D) is Ireland's tallest and is located at the centre of a scattered monastic settlement and against a backdrop of the hills of the Burren.

Unlike the better known Glendalough, there will be no tour buses or crowds here, nor is there a visitor centre, in fact to get access to the building you must borrow a key from a local house.

This is a beautiful and serene place, and well worth the short detour. The route can be a little tricky - watch carefully for the turn on the left as you travel from Ennis.

Coole Park

Coole ParkRemains of House at CooleCoole Park (E) was once home to Lady Gregory who regularly played host to Irish poet W.B.Yeats. There is a good visitor centre at the park and guided tours are available. 

Yeats loved this place, wrote about it often and it featured in several poems, most famously "The Wild Swans at Coole"

"The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones Are nine-and-fifty Swans."

The swans are still there, though perhaps not precisely 59 of them, but the house is sadly long gone. The magnificent grounds and lake are well worth visiting and it is a great place to stretch your legs after a long journey.

Thoor Ballylee

Thoor BallyleeThoor Ballylee (F)W.B. Yeats lived at Thoor Ballylee, a small castle with an adjoining house which he restored as a family home. That he was concerned to preserve its character while restoring it is clear from his words in a 1918 letter: "I dream of making a house that may encourage people to avoid ugly manufactured things - an ideal poor man's house. Except a very few things imported as models we should get all made in Galway or Limerick. I am told that our neighbours are pleased that we are not getting 'grand things' but old Irish furniture".

The castle now houses a Yeats Museum but it is not hard to imagine it as a home and the surrounding area is much as it was in Yeat's time.

 

More Information about Touring this Area

Those heading to Galway may like to also see our Galway City Walking Tour and tour of Connemara.

Where to Stay

Read independent reviews of hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and other recommended accommodation in Galway city or in Co Galway or Co Clare.

The links below lead to more information about some places in this tour and other places and activities you may enjoy in the general area.

Delphi Adventure Centre | Thoor Ballylee | The Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas | Galway Cathedral | Leisureland | Killary Adventure Centre | Inishmore | Errislannan Manor | Connemara Golf Links | Gort Golf Club | The Cliffs of Moher | Ennis Friary | Ailwee Cave | Bunratty Castle and Folk Park | The Burren | Loop Head | Lahinch Golf Club |

What's on in the Area

 

Detailed Directions

Shannon to Quin (~ 20 mins)
  • From Shannon Head north on Tullyvarraga toward R471 0.1 km
  • Turn left at Airport Rd/R471 0.3 km
  • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto R471 0.3 km
  • At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto R472 Go through 1 roundabout 5.1 km
  • At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the N18 ramp 0.3 km
  • Merge onto N18 4.1 km
  • Take the exit signposted Cuinche/Quin 0.2 km
  • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto R458/R471 0.2 km
  • At the roundabout, take the 1st exit 5.4 km

The Abbey is well signposted.

Quin to Ennis (~10 mins)

Head north on Clos Na Manach/R469 toward R469. Continue to follow R469. Go through 1 roundabout. 9.4 km

Ennis to Kilmacduagh
  • Head northeast on R458/Sandfield Park toward College Rd. Continue to follow R458. Go through 2 roundabouts. 5.7 km
  • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the N18 ramp. 0.4 km
  • Merge onto N18 15.4 km
  • Turn left, signposted for Shanaglish. 1.5 km
  • Head northwest 2.4 km
  • Turn right toward R460 3.1 km
  • Turn right onto R460 0.5 km

You will see the tower at Kilmacduagh ahead.

Kilmacduagh to Coole
  • Head east on R460 toward Glenbrack Rd/R460 4.6 km
  • Turn left at Glenbrack Rd/R460. 0.8 km
  • Turn left onto Galway Rd/N18. Continue to follow N18

Coole Park is clearly signposted to the left.

Coole to Thoor Ballylee
  • Return to the N18, towards Galway 2.9 km
  • Take the 2nd road to the right 0.7 km
  • Keep right 1.6 km

Thoor Ballylee is on the right after a slight bend in the road.

Thoor Ballylee to Galway

Return to the N18, turn right for Galway. 31km