Getting to Roundstone
How to reach Roundstone by train, bus, car, or bicycle.
Train
There is no railway in Connemara. The nearest station is Galway Ceannt Station, roughly 76km away, served by Iarnrod Eireann intercity trains from Dublin Heuston and other stations. From Galway, the onward journey to Roundstone is by bus or car; there is no rail link any closer.
- Nearest Station
- Galway Ceannt Station, Galway city, approximately 76km from Roundstone
- Onward Journey
- By TFI Local Link bus (via Clifden or Carraroe) or by car/taxi
Tips
- •Book the Galway-Roundstone onward leg (bus or car hire) before travelling; there is no direct rail-to-village connection.
Useful Links
Bus
TFI Local Link Galway Route 432 (An Cheathru Rua/Carraroe to Clifden) is the confirmed public bus service through Roundstone, running via Costelloe, Screebe, Kilkieran, Carna and Cashel to Roundstone, then on to Ballyconneely and Clifden. Three services run each direction daily. There is no direct bus from Galway city to Roundstone; the practical routes are Citylink or Bus Eireann to Clifden (on the N59) and then Local Link Route 432 on to Roundstone, or driving directly via the R341.
- Main Route
- TFI Local Link Galway Route 432, An Cheathru Rua (Carraroe) to Clifden via Roundstone
- Stops
- Carraroe, Costelloe, Screebe, Kilkieran, Carna, Cashel, The Quay/Roundstone, Ballyconneely, Clifden
- Frequency
- Three departures a day each direction
- Galway City Connection
- No direct service; connect via Citylink/Bus Eireann to Clifden on the N59, then Local Link Route 432 to Roundstone
Tips
- •Confirm the current Route 432 timetable directly with TFI Local Link Galway before travelling, rural timetables can change.
- •For most visitors coming from Galway city, driving via the N59 and R341 is more practical than the bus connection.
Driving
Roundstone is reached via the R341, which loops off the N59 near Ballinafad, passes Ballynahinch Castle and runs through the village before continuing to Ballyconneely and Clifden. From Galway city it is around 76km, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the route and traffic through Oughterard and Maam Cross. From Clifden it is about 18km, around 20 to 25 minutes on the R341.
- From Galway City
- About 76km, roughly 1h15-1h30 via the N59
- From Clifden
- About 18km, roughly 20-25 minutes on the R341
- Parking
- Free on-street and harbourside parking in the village; a small free car park serves Gorteen Bay and Dog's Bay
Tips
- •The R341 through the village is narrow in places; take care with parked cars on Main Street.
- •The Dog's Bay/Gorteen Bay car park is small and fills by mid-morning in summer.
Cycling
The R341 Bog Road loop out to Ballyconneely and Clifden is a genuine but demanding road-cycling route, exposed to Atlantic weather with little shelter. No dedicated bike hire was confirmed in Roundstone itself in this research pass; cyclists typically bring their own bike or hire in Clifden.
- Hire
- Not confirmed in Roundstone; check Clifden
- Terrain
- Exposed coastal and bog roads, narrow in places
Tips
- •Check the weather forecast carefully before a long loop; there is little shelter on the open bog sections.
From the Airport
Live options for reaching the village from the nearest airports. Times and fares are a guide and can change with traffic or operator schedules.
Ireland West Airport KnockNOC
130 km away- Duration
- Around 2 hours
- Cost
- Fuel and any tolls
The closer of the two western airports for many Connemara visitors, with Ryanair connections to the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
Shannon AirportSNN
140 km away- Duration
- Around 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cost
- Fuel and any tolls
Shannon has a wider range of transatlantic and European connections than the regional airports.
Dublin AirportDUB
300 km away- Duration
- Around 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours
- Cost
- Fuel and tolls
The widest choice of flights, but the longest drive of the three; most visitors to Connemara fly into Knock or Shannon instead.
Parking
Parking options in and around Roundstone. On busy weekends, arriving early is recommended.
Roundstone village
Free on-street and harbourside parking in the village itself.
Dog's Bay / Gorteen Bay car park
Small car park shared by both beaches, roughly 3km from the village. Fills up by mid-morning on good summer days.
Planning the wider trip?
Our country-level primer covers national rail, intercity buses, airports, the Leap Card, and whether you actually need a hire car for your trip around Ireland.
Getting Around Ireland →