Kilkieran (Cill Chiaráin)

Kilkieran is a small coastal village on Connemara's Atlantic edge, perfectly placed for exploring the Twelve Bens mountains and the scattered offshore islands. The R341 coastal road connects it to Clifden 30 kilometres north, while the main route from Galway city takes about 90 minutes via the N59 through Oughterard and Maam Cross. The winding roads pass through classic Connemara bog and moorland with regular sea views. The village houses Ireland's National Lobster Hatchery, where thousands of baby lobsters are raised before being released into Galway Bay.