Galway Airport Directions: We have provided here a driving route from Galway airport to Galway city: From Galway airport take the R339 / N6 road to Galway city, The N18 northbound / N17 leads towards Co.Mayo and the NW of Ireland, the N18 southbound takes you toward Ennis and Co.Clare.
Car hire popularity: Car rental in Galway is popular and vehicles do become booked up very quickly due to the airport location. Car hire in the Galway area is very popular during peak times and holiday periods and we would highly recommend booking your rental well in advance.
Galway location: Like we have said in the write-up about Galway on this page there is a lot to see in the Galway and Co.Galway area so it would be a good idea to plan a few days touring around the Galway area and having quite a bit of photo film handy.
Nearest airport(s): If you plan on visiting Galway or the area of Co.Galway then the nearest airport to choose would be:
Galway airport:>> Located approx 6 miles off the R339 road. See above for directions to Galway and other locations within Ireland.
More places of interest in and around Galway & continuation of our Co.Galway tour:
Spiddal (An Spidéal): Located approx 10 miles W of Galway on the R336 road.
The small coastal holiday town of Spiddal has a fine blue flag beach and lies in the heart of the Gaeltacht area and is also where we continue our tour along the coast passing the little airport of Inveran which has flights to the Aran Islands we turn now inland a little toward Costello (Casla). We would recommend approx:>> Half day stay.
Costello (Casla): Located approx 22 miles W of Galway on the R336 road.
The location of Costello has a lovely coral beach with some great Salmon fishing. Continuing further down the road to Rossaveel there are regular ferries to the Aran islands. We would recommend approx:>> Half day stay.
Oughterard: Located approx 14 miles NW of Galway on the N59 road.
Lying about a mile inland from Lough Corrib, Oughterard is a popular location mainly for the fishing available here and this is certainly a major reason to visit, There are also boats to hire here and many of those are used to visit the uninhabited islet of Inchagoill which is located in the centre of the lough. There are two ruined churches located here, both of which are well worth a photo. When you go back to shore take in the Glengowla Silver and Lead Mine tour, it is Ireland's only show mine and opened back in the 19th century it was once one of the richest and most productive of it's time. Certainly well worth taking the time to visit. We would recommend approx:>> Half day stay.
Leenane: Located approx 41 miles NW of Galway on the N59/R336 road.
Leenane is an attractive village and a definate popular angling location, whilst also being a centre for walkers and climbers who want to tackle the Maamturk Mountains nearby. A visit to the Leenane cultural centre overlooking Killary harbour is well worth the visit, where local demonstrations of the wool industry by means of Carding, Spinning, Weaving and using natural dyes can all be seen. If you want to adverture out more into Killary harbour you can take the nearby 90 minute or so cruise around the harbour which is actualy Ireland's only fjord and is approx 8 miles long flanked by bare mountains, next we continue on our tour toward Connemara and our next destination of Letterfrack. We would recommend approx:>> Half/Full day stay.
Letterfrack: Located approx 52 miles NW of Galway on the N59 road.
As we continue our tour, we now pass 'Kylemore Abbey' which is a 19th century mock-Tudor set within a spectacular lakeside location, as we continue towards Letterfrack about 5 miles further down the road we approach Letterfrack and the entrance to Connemara National Park, which is a wild expanse of Granite mountains and includes the famous 'Twelve Bens' mountain range. The park has a visitor centre and has much information about the area, the staff there are helpful and are well worth talking to about hiking and walking in the area as regards safe hiking trails. There are FREE guided nature walks which usually last about 2 - 3 hours and are available usually on Monday's and Friday's in the morning during the months of July and August. As for the village of Letterfrack there are scenic cruises and angling trips available usually through the Ocean's Alive Sealife Centre, The centre has also an aquarium and museum. We would recommend approx:>> Full day stay.
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For more places to see and visit in and around Galway and to continue our Co.Galway tour, please continue here.
