Connemara and Mayo is consistently rated by Irish classic campervan owners as the single best section of the Wild Atlantic Way for vintage VW touring. The roads are quieter than Kerry, the landscape is extraordinary, and the Sky Road out of Clifden — Ireland's most photographed coast road — is perfectly suited to a T2's pace and dimensions. The bog roads, the Atlantic light, and the granite landscape of the Twelve Bens were made for this kind of touring.
This guide is for classic campervan owners. If you're planning to hire a modern campervan for a Connemara trip, see the Connemara Loop guide on campers.ie for rental-specific advice and operator recommendations.
Route overview
The Connemara and Mayo loop runs west from Galway through Oughterard, Clifden, Letterfrack, and Kylemore, before continuing north into Mayo via the Killary Fjord, Westport, and Achill Island. The loop can be closed back to Galway via the N5/N17 corridor, or extended further north into Sligo and Donegal as part of a full WAW run.
The loop distance from Galway is approximately 350km including Achill Island. At classic campervan pace — 80km/h comfortable cruise, regular stops, time to talk to people at campsites — this is 5–7 days of excellent touring.
~350km loop from Galway (including Achill)
5–7 days. Do not compress this into a 4-day trip — you'll regret it.
A T2 under 5.5m handles Sky Road with ease. Larger T3/T4 campervans: take it slow.
Moderate. No extreme passes on this loop. Conor Pass (if you extend to Dingle) is the exception.
Day-by-day itinerary
| Day | Route | Distance | Classic notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galway → Oughterard → Maam Cross → Clifden | ~80km | N59 is a good T2 road. Stop at Maam Cross — the bog road junction feels like the edge of Ireland. |
| 2 | Clifden + Sky Road loop | ~30km loop | Sky Road is fine for a T2. Go early morning. 40km/h pace is appropriate for the narrow sections. |
| 3 | Clifden → Letterfrack → Kylemore → Leenane | ~40km | Gentle road, excellent for classics. Stop at every viewpoint — Killary from the south shore is extraordinary. |
| 4 | Leenane → Westport | ~50km | Delphi valley road: note the cattle grid sections. Westport is a good base with flat campsite access. |
| 5 | Westport → Achill Island | ~50km | Achill is accessed by road bridge — easy for any classic. The island interior has narrow roads; keep to the main coastal loop. |
| 6 | Achill → Ballina → Sligo OR back to Galway | ~100km | Either continue north to Sligo and Donegal, or return south to Galway via the N17. |
Sky Road, Clifden (Day 2): The Sky Road loop is narrow at its western end — single-track with passing places. A T2 Bay Window is actually a very good vehicle for this road: its relatively compact dimensions and good visibility (from the front, at least) make passing place encounters manageable. The views back over the Connemara coast as you climb the road's western arm are among the best in Ireland. The road is one-way in sections — follow the signs.
Kylemore Abbey (Day 3): The Benedictine abbey is genuinely beautiful — a Gothic castle reflected in the lake below it, with a restored Victorian walled garden. The car park handles campervans without issue. Book tickets in advance for summer visits as it's popular. The nuns who live and work at the abbey make Kylemore Pottery — worth looking for in the gift shop.
Killary Harbour (Day 3): Park at Leenane and walk south along the fjord shore. The view from the head of the fjord — with the water extending 16km to the west between steep mountains — is one of the most un-Irish-looking landscapes in Ireland. Aasleagh Falls, 2km south of Leenane, is a low but wide cascade worth a 20-minute stop.
Achill Island (Day 5): Achill is Ireland's largest island — and it's connected to the mainland by a road bridge, making it accessible to any vehicle. The island has been attracting artists and writers since the 19th century (Heinrich Böll among them). The Deserted Village on the slopes of Slievemore — a 19th-century settlement abandoned during the Famine, its stone walls still intact — is one of the most atmospheric places on the WAW. Allow 2 hours for the walk to the village and back.
Overnight stops
| Location | Type | Notes for classic campervans |
|---|---|---|
| Galway outskirts | Campsite | Good campsite south of city. Bus to Galway centre. Flat access important for older suspension. |
| Clifden area | Campsite | Clifden Eco Beach Camping has a strong following among vintage VW owners. Book ahead. |
| Letterfrack area | Campsite | Near Connemara National Park. Good facilities. Popular with outdoor-enthusiast crowd. |
| Leenane/Killary | Campsite/informal | Fewer formal options here. Some tolerated spots near the fjord shore. Ask locally. |
| Westport area | Campsite | Several options near Westport town. Good facilities for a base with town access. |
| Achill Island | Campsite | Campsite on the island. Atmospheric location — worth 2 nights. |
Road notes
This is one of the more classic-campervan-friendly sections of the WAW from a road perspective. Specific notes:
- N59 (Galway to Clifden): The main road through Connemara is wide enough and well-maintained. Some undulations and sweeping bends that suit a cruising T2 perfectly. The road has been improved significantly in the past decade.
- Sky Road: As noted — single-track in sections, manageable in a T2. One-way sections must be respected. The climb out of Clifden is not severe enough to cause T2 overheating in normal summer conditions.
- Killary south shore road: Narrow, slow, scenic. No gradient concerns. Surface can be rough in sections — check your van's wheel alignment before a long Irish tour as rough roads amplify any existing steering issues.
- Achill Island interior: The main coastal loop road is fine. The island interior roads are narrow farm tracks — avoid in a classic unless you're comfortable with rough surfaces.
- No extreme passes: Unlike Kerry, the Connemara and Mayo loop has no mountain pass comparable to the Healy Pass or Conor Pass. The highest point on the N59 is modest and presents no T2 challenge.
Classic campervan notes
Overheating on this route: The Connemara loop doesn't have the same overheating risk as the Kerry passes. The gradients are gentler and the summer temperatures in Galway and Mayo are typically lower than Kerry. A well-maintained T2 should handle this loop without overheating concerns, provided the cooling system (fan belt tension, thermostat function, oil level) is in order before departure.
Speed on the N59: The N59 carries some faster traffic but is a secondary road — few drivers will pressure you unreasonably at 80km/h. The road's curves and undulations actually suit T2 cruising pace naturally. You won't feel like you're holding anyone up.
Fuel economy: Expect 10–12L/100km at T2 cruising speed. The loop is approximately 350km — budget 35–45 litres for the full loop from Galway. Clifden and Westport are the main fuel stops; fill up before heading onto the peninsula sections.
Classic car attention: A Bay Window in Connemara will attract attention at every stop. This is enjoyable but can add significant time to your itinerary. Factor this in — a 10-minute campsite check-in can become 45 minutes when there are Bay Window conversations to be had.
Breakdown resources: The nearest VW-aware classic garage contacts for this region should be noted before departure. See our Irish specialists directory for current listings. In a breakdown in remote Connemara, recovery will take time — carry basic tools and spare parts as outlined in the full WAW guide.
Yes, a standard T2 Bay Window can drive the full Sky Road loop. The road is narrow but the T2's dimensions (1.75m wide) are actually well-suited to Irish narrow roads. The passing places are adequate. The climb is not steep enough to cause overheating concern in good conditions. Early morning (before 8am) is best — no tourist coaches, no passing conflicts, the light on the bay is extraordinary. This is one of the genuinely great classic campervan experiences in Ireland.
Ferry options
Galway is the natural base for this loop. Getting there from Britain with your own classic campervan:
- Dublin–Holyhead: Most direct from North Wales, West Midlands, or northern England. Dublin to Galway is 2 hours on the M6. Irish Ferries and Stena Line both operate this route.
- Rosslare–Pembroke or Rosslare–Fishguard: For south England and south Wales owners. Rosslare to Galway is approximately 3.5 hours via Limerick.
- Cherbourg–Rosslare (Irish Ferries): For continental owners, this is the most direct option into southeast Ireland.
No internal Irish ferry crossings are required for the Connemara–Mayo loop. The Tarbert–Killimer Shannon Estuary ferry is relevant if extending south to Kerry after this loop.
Practical tips
- Spare parts for this route: Fan belt, points, condenser, fuel pump (as standard). The roads here are not particularly punishing on running gear but the remote nature of the route means a breakdown waits longer for a recovery vehicle.
- Gas: Calor Gas available in Clifden and Westport. Stock up before heading onto the peninsula sections.
- Weather: Connemara has a serious reputation for rain — earned. Pack for all conditions. The landscape in rain with low cloud on the Twelve Bens is actually one of the most atmospheric sights in Ireland; embrace it rather than hide in the van.
- Kylemore Abbey booking: Book online in advance for summer visits. The car park handles campervans and the visit is worth the small queue.
Best time for classic campervan touring
June and early July are optimal for Connemara in a classic. Temperatures are low enough for air-cooled engines (rarely above 18–20°C in coastal Connemara), daylight extends to 10pm, and the bog cotton is flowering on the approach roads. The Clifden campsite has its most atmospheric character in June before the July peak.
September: Also excellent. Quieter than summer, good light, and the heather on the Connemara bogs turns deep purple through September. Kylemore garden is particularly beautiful in autumn.