Do I need to book Killary Fjord in advance?

Yes — Killary Fjord requires advance booking. Tickets sell out, especially in summer. Book via the link above to guarantee your place.

How much does it cost to visit Killary Fjord?

Standard adult admission is €27. Guided experiences start from €27 per person.

How long does a visit to Killary Fjord take?

Allow 2–3 hours (with boat tour) for a comfortable visit. Arriving early in the morning or late afternoon helps avoid the busiest periods in summer.

When is Killary Fjord open?

Open landscape — accessible year-round. Boat tours run Apr–Oct.

How do I get to Killary Fjord?

The nearest major airport is Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC), approximately 1 hr by car. Killary Fjord is best reached by car — this is a self-drive destination.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

All Attractions

Coastal

Killary Fjord

Co. Galway · 2–3 hours (with boat tour)

Killary Fjord is Ireland's only true fjord — a 16 km glacial inlet formed during the last Ice Age when a glacier carved through the mountains between Connemara and County Mayo. The water is 45 metres deep at its deepest point, and at its narrowest the inlet is little over one kilometre wide. The mountains of Mweelrea (the highest in Connacht at 814 m) rise steeply on the south Mayo side, while Maumturk and the Twelve Bens frame the Galway side.

The village of Leenane sits at the eastern end of the fjord and is the main base for visiting. The area featured in the film 'The Field' (1990), based on John B. Keane's play, and the dramatic landscape made it a natural choice. From Leenane you can walk the southern shore along an old famine road — a 7 km trail that follows the water's edge under Mweelrea, with views across the fjord improving as you go. It's one of the quieter walks in Connacht.

Killary Fjord Boat Tours run 1.5-hour cruises from Leenane pier during the summer months. The cruise goes most of the length of the fjord and passes the mussel farm ropes that line the water — Killary mussels are farmed in the cold, clean fjord water and sold across Ireland. The trip costs around €27 per adult. For a free visit, park at Leenane village and walk east along the southern shore road.

Highlights

Ireland's only glacially carved fjord — 16 km long and 45 m deep at its deepest point
Mweelrea (814 m) rises directly from the north shore — the highest mountain in Connacht
Boat tours from Leenane pier run the length of the fjord, passing working mussel farm lines
Filming location for 'The Field' (1990) — the dramatic landscape is immediately recognisable from the film
The southern shore famine road trail (7 km) is one of the quietest and most scenic walks in Connacht

Good to know

→The boat tour is worth doing — it gives a sense of scale that the road doesn't. Book ahead in summer.
→Killary mussels are farmed in the fjord and served in Leenane and throughout Connacht — try them while you're here.
→The road along the southern shore (R335) past the fjord toward Delphi is one of the best drives in the west.
→Delphi Adventure Centre, 10 km toward Mayo, is good for kayaking and activity days if travelling with active groups.
→Leenane village at the head of the fjord has a handful of pubs and cafés — good lunch stop before or after the boat tour.

Best Time to Visit

May–Sep for boat tours from Leenane. Autumn brings gold to the surrounding hillsides; winter is raw but the fjord light at low sun is outstanding. Trips run weather-dependent — check conditions before booking.

Getting There

NOCIreland West Airport Knock

1 hr drive

SNNShannon Airport

2 hr drive

DUBDublin Airport

3 hr drive

Common questions

Is Killary really a fjord?

Yes — Killary is Ireland's only true fjord. It was carved by a glacier during the last Ice Age and meets the geological definition: a long, narrow inlet with steep sides and a shallow sill at the mouth, with deep water inland. At its deepest it reaches 45 metres. The landscape looks very like the Norwegian fjords in miniature.

How do I take a cruise on Killary Fjord?

Killary Fjord boat cruises depart from the pier at Leenane in County Galway. The main operator runs 90-minute tours along the fjord, with commentary on the landscape and salmon farming operations visible on the water. Book in advance during summer — departures are limited and fill quickly. The cruise is the best way to appreciate the scale of the fjord.

What else is there to do around Killary Fjord?

Leenane, at the head of the fjord, has a small wool mill and the Killary Adventure Centre nearby for kayaking and other water activities. The Famine Walk above the northern shore is a sobering 8km route following the path taken by famine victims. Connemara National Park is about 30 minutes east, making Killary a natural stop on a Connemara day out.

How far is Killary Fjord from Galway city?

Leenane at the head of Killary Fjord is about 80km west of Galway city — roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car via the N59 through Maam Cross. The drive itself is part of the experience, passing through classic Connemara bogland, lakes and mountain scenery.