From Leenane, the water appears still beneath the mountains. It could be mistaken for a lake were it not for this arm of the sea stretching towards the Atlantic for some 16 kilometres between Counties Galway and Mayo. It is this Connemara landscape that Lonely Planet selected among its 25 travel experiences for 2027. Announced in September, the choice was highlighted again on 9 November 2026 in a guide to places to visit in Ireland.
What Lonely Planet recognised at Killary Fjord
A travel experience, with no global ranking awarded to the fjord
Best in Travel 2027 brings together 50 recommendations, divided between 25 destinations and 25 experiences. Killary features in the latter category. Tourism Ireland reported on the selection on 23 September 2026. In its guide published on 9 November, Lonely Planet returns to the site and notably recommends experiencing it from the water.
A glacier carved this valley before the sea flooded it. To the north, the slopes of Mweelrea rise above the Mayo shore; to the south, the Connemara mountains flank the fjord. Between them, the lines of mussel farms are a reminder that this landscape is also a working place. Its outlines can be seen from the road. From the water, the scale of the slopes becomes clearer.
How to explore Killary Fjord
From Leenane, choose between the water and walking
Leenane, also spelt Leenaun, is a good starting point for planning a stop. Sightseeing cruises depart from Nancy’s Point, near the village. They take you along the slopes and offer views of the mussel farms from the fjord. Check departures for your dates before setting aside half a day: if none suits your plans, the road and shores still provide fine views.
On foot, the old road known as the Famine Trail tells another story. Discover Ireland links it to Great Famine relief works in the 19th century. The path passes close to traces of ancient cultivation and abandoned buildings. If you are considering the route to Rossroe, plan your return before setting off: a linear route and an out-and-back walk do not take the same amount of time. The boat transfer presented by the tourist office is seasonal and must be booked in advance.
Including Killary in a trip between Galway and Mayo
Allow time around Leenane
If you are arriving from Connemara, it is best to allow half a day for Killary and choose just one main activity. Continuing towards Mayo, Aasleagh Falls offer another perspective on the landscape, where the River Erriff meets the fjord area. The Connemara Loop also places Killary within a wider itinerary.
At Rossroe, near the mouth of the fjord, a plaque commemorates the stay of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, who came here to work after the Second World War. It is a detour worth keeping in mind if you have time: as you leave the end of the fjord for its opening onto the Atlantic, you realise just how much the landscape changes from one shore and viewpoint to another.
