From galway head north along coast to clifden, lovely bays and beaches round here. On north to leenane, where the film 'the field' was filmed.
+1
One of my favourite parts of the country
Mike,
If you've time avoid the motorway west. It's boring as feck !
I'd recommend either Enfield, Edenderry, Tulla, across the bog @ Boora & across the Shannon @ Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe, then the R348 (a crackin' GS road) to Athenry & Cong for the night.
Or Prosperous, Portarlington, Rosenallis, across the Slieve Blooms to Kinnity, Shannonbridge and then carry on as above.
Both routes are about 4 hours but factor in photo & food/tea stops & you'll fill most of your day.
On Friday I'd recommend heading from Cong to Finny, around Lough Nafooey & down to Maam, Maam Cross (a stunning piece of road) and then you could head to the coast at Carna, Roundstone & Clifden (don't miss the Sky Road !) then Leenane.
Definitely visit Aasleagh Falls, about 4km north on the Erriff river. From there you could do the north coast of Killary Harbour & head towards Louisburgh through Doo Lough Pass. Carrying on to Louisburgh & Westport, etc is probably bringing you too far north given the time you have so I'd turn around at Doo Lough & take the left turn (signposted for Sheeffrey Wood from memory) to Carrowkennedy & then right on the N59 back to Leenane. From there you could head back through Maam Cross to Galway or divert slightly & go Leenane - Recess - Maam Cross.
There's no easy way south other than through Galway but it shouldn't be too bad. Once you get to Kilcolgan turn right to Kinvara & Ballyvaughan (great seafood in Monks at the pier !) After that there's several routes but around Black Head to Fanore, Doolin & Lahinch gives you both the sea on your right & the Burren on your left. Other routes (B'Vaughan / Lisdoonvarna / Ennistymon for example) are also worth considering if you've had enough coastline.
There's no shortages of B&B's around the Burren if you wanted to stop & leave yourself a handy run into Ennis on the Satuday. Or get up early & head to Kilkee & Loop Head before heading to Ennis.
Saturday works out at at 6+ hours riding but you'll definitely want to stop for photos & more tea so it'll be a fairly full day.
A couple of 'words to the wise' -
Allow more time for travelling. Irish roads are much slower than yours, particularly minor roads
There's still corn being cut so you're likely to encounter tractors & combines on country roads. Agricultural trailers NEVER have brake lights or indicators. And they carry mud from the field a considerable distance down the road
In remote areas (Slieve Blooms, most of Connemara & Burren) the sheep are free range so chances are you'll meet some that really want to cross the road right in front of you
Make sure you've plenty of fuel leaving 'civilisation' as there's nowhere near as many rural petrol (or gas to you) stations as there used to be
Above all take it easy, enjoy it & come back soon
Unfortunately I'm stuck in work
Thursday & Friday or I'd love to join you. If you need more info or routes let me know.
