the lough inagh drive

The Lough Inagh Drive (164km/102mls) Clifden - Ballyconneely - Roundstone - Tombeola - Derryclare Lough - Inagh Valley - Letterfrack - Cleggan - Claddaghduff - Clifden

Leave Clifden taking the road south to Ballyconneely. This is a superb drive with bogs and beaches on either side. Connemara Golf Club is located at Ballyconneely. Next stop is Roundstone, a picturesque sea village founded in the early 19th century. It has excellent beaches at Gorteen and Dogs Bay. Continue to Toombeola and onto the main Clifden/Galway Road (N59) Turn right here for Recess, on the main road. Before Recess, go left for the Inagh Valley. Here the Maamturk Mountains rise up to the right, while Derryclare Lough and Lough Inagh shelter under the Beanna Beola Mountains. Continue on to main Letterfrack/Leenane Road and, turn left to the attractive village of Letterfrack with its National Park.

Just before here is Kylemore Abbey, now a school. It has a craft shop and restaurant, and some fine walks.