The following bus tours for conference attendees are scheduled for Sunday, the 25th of October. If you wish to avail of one of these tours, you can indicate your interest when registering for the conference. Payment is made on the day of the tour.

Connemara Tour

As we travel from Galway the tour follows the leafy banks of Lough Corrib leading to the village of Oughterard, often referred to as "the gateway to Connemara". Travelling through the Connemara rugged landscape, the stacks of turf, the Connemara ponies and the crannogs begin to unfold. Now we are entering the wild beauty of Connemara, mountains start to rise and there are breathtaking views along Inagh Valley, a spectacular region that runs between the Maamturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens of Connemara. This leads to the highlight of the tour, Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, where one can absorb the tranquil atmosphere while walking in one of Ireland's most peaceful scenic areas.

From here we travel along Killary Fjord (Ireland's only fjord) down into the village of Leenane where the film "The Field" (1990), directed by John B. Keane, was filmed. Then we head north towards Louisburgh, on the way you'll pass Doo Lough, a long lake set among steep mountains which is regarded as one of the finest lakeshore drives in Ireland. The road carries on to the quaint town of Westport with views of Clew bay and Croagh Patrick.

Heading back to Galway through the beautiful village of Cong, home to Cong Abbey, Ashford Castle and the setting for the John Ford movie, "The Quiet Man" (1952), where we give you time to get acquainted with the local sights before returning to Galway City with memories of a fantastic day in Connemara!

Price: 25 Euro

Burren Tour

Our tour leaves Galway City passing through Oranmore with breath taking views of Galway Bay, the limestone Burren and the Hills of Clare. The tour continues through Clarenbridge, home of the famous September Oyster Festival and the pretty fishing village of Kinvara. Our first stop will be at Dunguaire Castle, a 16th Century tower house which holds mediaeval banquets during the summer months. Next we view 12th Century Cistercian Abbey of Corcomroe and then on to Ballyvaughn. The tour stops at the famous Aillwee caves where our passengers have the choice of visiting the caves or enjoying tea and scones in the cafeteria before moving on to the centre of the Burren.

This is a remarkable bare limestone area with its combination of many unusual factors, its geology, its flora, caves and archaeology. It is in this area where the first Stone Age dwellers settled, and our next stop is the famous Poulnabrone dolmen, a 5000 year old tomb used by the stone dwellers to bury their dead. Next we view Leamanagh Castle, Kilfenora, Lisdonvarna where the matchmaking festival is held in the month of September and then on to the world famous Cliffs of Moher, Ireland's most spectacular sea-cliffs which are 200m high and extend along the coast for 8km. Now it's time for the Atlantic drive towards Black Head lighthouse, with breathtaking views of Fanore beach, the blue Atlantic, the Connemara coast and the three Aran Islands of Inis Mor, Inis Meain, and Inis Oirr, before arriving back at Galway city.

Price: 25 Euro