Connemara is an area of rugged coastline, mountains, and few people (but lots of sheep). Our plan was to follow the Wild Atlantic Way west of Salthill and north all the way to Kylemore Abbey.
Connemara – Kylemore Abbey is #14, just north of Connemara National Park
The weather called for 100% chance of rain but we decided to take our chances. Good call! While we had sprinkles on and off much of the day, by the time we got to Kylemore Abbey, the sun decided to shine, at least long enough for us to get some great photos.
We followed the coast road all the way to Clifden, stopping whenever the sun peeked out. We made two other stops, both during drizzly periods. One was for a picnic lunch in some little town not even on the map. And the other was at the Glinsce Craft Market where I bought a lovely scarf.
Dave’s Friend 
A Small Lough (Lake) 
Dave in a Moment of Sunshine 
Rock Walls Everywhere
It was late in the afternoon when we got to Clifden so we made a beeline to Kylemore Abbey. Even so, we arrived at 5:30 and they close at 6:00. We could have paid the late entry fee (€9 vs. €14 normally) but felt it wasn’t worth the rush. However, the sun smiled upon us and we were able to get some great pictures.
Kylemore Abbey
From the Abbey, we took R344 past Lough Inagh down to N59 back to Salthill. Along the way we had to watch out for wandering sheep who graze in the foothills of the Twelve Bens Mountains.
Lough Inagh 
Roaming Sheep 
Mountain View
We were so glad we didn’t let the weather forecast keep us from enjoying Connemara!
The Infamous O’Connors
Epilogue To The Day In Connemara
As we returned to Salthill, we decided to stop near Leisureland where all the action is. Since it was 7:30, we did not have to use the paybox. There are a number of restaurants, bars, a couple of casinos, Leisureland and Ireland’s National Aquarium all in this area. All we wanted was dinner and some music. We ate at McCabe’s, a pub with really good Irish food. We would recommend their fish and chips and the seafood chowder.
O’Connors is the pub in Salthill for music so we decided to check it out. What fun! First, the place is full of crazy stuff from nets full of shells on the ceiling to a moving deer head that sings along with the musicians. Music doesn’t start til 9:30 and they are a bar so do not serve food. Somehow we got a table and were soon joined by a German family – father, mother, and two daughters age 20 and 16. They spoke English very well although I inserted some limited German in where I could. We had so much fun with them that we met at O’Connors again the next night. We talked about all kinds of things. The younger daughter tried to instruct Dave in German and on the value of K-pop. The mother recently took up watercolors so she and I shared pictures of our artwork. The father was interested in our take on German politics. And, of course, we talked travel. We exchanged emails so we can keep in touch. We love this side of travel!
Dave at the Bar 
Can You Spot the Singing Deer? 
Our New Friends
The next post will cover our exploration south of Galway to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burrens. http://europeyourway.net/cliffs-of-moher
