West Galway
Clifden: Capital of Connemara, a wild-looking but homely town is the ideal base for exploring the great natural beauty of west Galway and south Mayo. Situated between the Atlantic and the peaks of the Twelve Bens, Clifden has an almost Apine air. Bring your camera, warm, waterproof clothing and your walking boots! Any map of Ireland will get you to Clifden, but you will need Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 37 to explore the roads and ruins in the area. Walk in the footsteps of Stone Age man! Discover the hiden Megalithic Tombs, Standing Stones, Ancient Graveyards, Crannogs, Middens and Holy Wells. Countless generations of men and womnen thrived in this seemingly barren and bleak land, courtesy of the Gulf Stream.
The N59 loops around Clifden coming from Galway in the south-east and continuing towards Westport in the north-east. To travel north:Take the un-numbered road along the north shore of Streamstown Bay (Cuan Bhan an tSrutha) to Omey Island, an uninhabited island with road access by a tidal causeway. After exploring the island continue on to Cleggan (passenger ferry to Inishboffin Island). Follow the road by Ballynakill Lake and Harbour to rejoin the N59 at Moynard and Letterfrack - Visitor Centre for Connemara National Park. From Letterfrack, choose the northern loop via Tully Cross to Renvyle Point and Killary Bay rejoining the N59 North beyond Lough Fee. Alternately take the N59 to Kylemore Abbey, where an amazing 19th c. castle lies in the shade of Doughruagh Hill (526m). Now a Benedictine convent and school with a gothic chapel, tea room, craft shops, pleasure gardens. After the lough, the R344 branches south between the Twelve Bens, Lough Innagh and Maunturk Hills to Ballinfad on the N59 South. Continue on N59 North to Lennane (Leenaun) where the road divides with N59 and R335 going north to Westport between the Mweelrea Mountain, Sheefry Hills and Benwee; and R336 going South to Maum on the N59 South.
South Mayo
Leave Westport and ride west along R335 to Louisberg then south past Doo Lough to Delphi. Then out of the valley into Killary Harbour, a long wild fjord. Follow the N59 to Lennane. This road continues to Clifden.
Alternatively, at the end of Doo Lough, take the left turn up a side valley, and follow this paved (twisty, with a poor surface) road through forestry amid the Sheafrey Hills to the junction with the Leenane - Westport road N59.
