Nestled between the jagged arms of Connemara’s Atlantic coastline, Little Killary Bay is an unassuming, unspoilt bay, yet one of striking beauty. Situated on the Rosroe Peninsula, on the border between County Galway and County Mayo, it embodies everything we love about the West of Ireland: rugged landscapes, unspoilt nature, and that end-of-the-world feel that makes you want to disconnect… for good.
Far off the beaten tourist track, Little Killary Bay is a destination of choice for travelers in search of authenticity, silence and gentle adventure. Whether you enjoy hiking, kayaking, contemplation or simply want to get off the beaten track, this little corner of Ireland is well worth a visit.
Little Killary Bay – Pedro Souza Photography – ©Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark
Little Killary Bay is a small coastal cove to the west of Killary Harbour, the island’s only fjord. Unlike its more famous neighbor, Little Killary is much more intimate, almost secretive, tucked between two hills covered in heather and weeds. The Rosroe Peninsula, on which it sits, forms a tongue of land jutting out into the Atlantic, jagged by waves and centuries.
Here, roads are narrow, lined with low stone walls, and sheep have the right of way. The rugged terrain offers sublime views of the sea, with the Connemara mountains in the background, including Mweelrea, Connacht’s highest peak, which rises proudly to the north of the bay.
Little Killary is a veritable playground for nature lovers. Far from the hustle and bustle of the big tourist attractions, people come here to walk, breathe, paddle or simply marvel.
The bay’s calm waters are ideal for sea kayaking, paddling or even swimming for the more adventurous (the water is cool all year round, but incredibly pure). Several local organizations offer supervised kayak excursions, often at sunset, to discover the coast from the sea and catch a glimpse of seals or seabirds.
The Killary Adventure Centre, just south of the bay, also offers a wide range of outdoor activities: rock climbing, archery, canyoning and sea canoeing.
The Rosroe peninsula is criss-crossed with unmarked but superb trails, accessible to good walkers. A must-do is the walk to Rosroe Pier, a small, peaceful harbour with crystal-clear waters, from which you can admire the bay and surrounding cliffs. Photography enthusiasts will not be disappointed: this is one of the best spots to capture Connemara’s changing light.
Philosophy fans may have heard of Rosroe for a surprising reason: the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein stayed here in 1948. After the Second World War, he found this isolated region the perfect environment in which to reflect and write. He rented a small cottage in Rosroe, facing the Atlantic, where he worked on his final writings.
The cottage still exists. Although it cannot be visited, its mere evocation adds an intellectual, almost mystical dimension to the place. The idea that one of the 20th century’s greatest thinkers found inspiration here is far from insignificant: Rosroe has the power to suspend time and reconnect us to the essential.
Little Killary Bay – Pedro Souza Photography – ©Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark
Little Killary Bay is about an hour and a half’s drive from Galway. The road to get there is already part of the experience: after Leenane and the edge of Killary Fjord, the road forks onto a narrow, winding, typically Irish lane that leads to the end of the peninsula.
It’s highly recommended that you have your own car (or a sturdy bicycle if you like the hills) to explore the region at your own pace. No buses, no public transport: here, isolation is king.
In terms of accommodation, there are a number of B&Bs in the area, as well as rustic campsites. For an even more authentic stay, some farmers offer cottages for rent facing the sea.
If you’re looking for lively pubs, guided tours and shopping streets, you’ll have to pass. But if you dream of sitting on a rock, facing the Atlantic, listening to the wind and the seagulls, then Little Killary Bay is for you.
It’s an interlude in your journey, a place of silence and raw power. A corner of Ireland that you won’t forget, because it reconnects you to nature, to the landscape, and a little to yourself.
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Rates : free of charge
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every day
