The best Galway royal and history
Medieval walls, the Tribes of Galway and the city's Atlantic trading past with a guide who knows the stories. Our top picks, no repeats.
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All royal and history
ViatorConnemara Day Trip Including Leenane Village and Kylemore Abbey from Galway
7.5 hoursFrom €65
ViatorSmall Group Kylemore Abbey, Sheepdog Demo & Connemara Tour
7.5 hoursFrom €110
ViatorConnemara, Kylemore Abbey and Wild Atlantic Way tour from Galway
9 hoursFrom €72.77
ViatorPrivate Day Tour in Connemara/Kylemore Abbey/Sky Road
8 hoursFrom €750
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The history tours from Galway all lead to Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, one of the best-known buildings in the west of Ireland. It was built in the 1860s as a castle for the businessman Mitchell Henry and his wife Margaret, and has been home to a community of Benedictine nuns since the 1920s. Visitors can see restored rooms in the abbey, the small Gothic church and the Victorian walled garden.
The tours combine the abbey with a drive through Connemara, passing lakes, bogs and mountains, and stopping at Leenane on Killary Harbour. They last about seven and a half to nine hours. At the time of checking, group tours were listed from about €65 to €110, and a private day tour including the Sky Road from about €750.
Planning your visit
Check whether entry to Kylemore Abbey is included in the tour price. The walled garden is at its best from late spring to early autumn, but the abbey itself is worth a visit all year. Shuttle buses run between the abbey and the garden. Bring a waterproof, as Connemara is one of the wettest parts of Ireland.
Galway royal and history: questions
Is entry to Kylemore Abbey included in the tour?
It depends on the tour. Check the inclusions on the listing before you book.
How long do Kylemore Abbey tours from Galway take?
Most take about seven and a half to nine hours. That includes the drive through Connemara and time at the abbey.
Is Kylemore Abbey open in winter?
It usually opens all year with shorter winter hours, but it can close around Christmas. Check the official site for your date.