Parks in Co. Galway
3 places
1.Connemara National Park
Spot Connemara ponies in the paddock
A rugged 2,000-hectare wilderness of bog, mountain, and heath in the Twelve Bens range — free to enter, with four waymarked trails and sweeping Atlantic views from the summit of Diamond Hill.
- Highlights
- Summit of Diamond Hill: 360° views of the Twelve Bens, Kylemore Abbey, and the Atlantic
- Connemara pony herd — see them in the paddock or at summer info sessions
- Four colour-coded trails from 0.5 km to 3.7 km, all starting at the Visitor Centre
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
2.Rinville Park
free parkland walks, castle ruins and bay views
A free, year-round parkland on the shore of Galway Bay where woodland walks, a 16th-century castle ruin, playground and outdoor gym sit five minutes from Oranmore.
- Highlights
- Free admission, open year round
- Woodland and coastal walks with Galway Bay views
- 16th-century Rinville Castle ruins and Rinville Hall
- Facilities
- Restrooms · Wheelchair access
3.Coole Park
Tree carved by Yeats, Shaw, Synge & O'Casey
A 400-hectare nature reserve in south Galway where rare turlough wetlands meet ancient woodland — once the home of Lady Gregory and the creative heart of the Irish Literary Revival.
- Highlights
- The Autograph Tree — a Copper Beech carved by Yeats, Shaw, Synge & O'Casey
- Rare turlough (seasonal lake) system of international importance
- Wintering Whooper Swans on Coole Lake
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access