Leenane on Killary Harbour

Leenane lies on Killary Harbour and offers views of a distinctive fjord landscape: Killary Harbour is 16 kilometres long and one of only three glacial fjords in Ireland. Killary Fjord Boat Tours offer a 90-minute boat trip on Killary Fjord from Leenane. You have uninterrupted views of the water throughout the trip; there is a café, a bar and toilets on board. If you would like to experience the fjord from a boat, you can consider Leenane as a possible destination when looking for a holiday rental.

Fjord landscape and trails

You can also discover the surrounding area from different perspectives on land. The historic Green Road runs alongside Killary Harbour and the fjord for approximately 9 kilometres. The approximate distance is useful to bear in mind if you are considering this route. This is distinct from a 53-kilometre route that starts in Oughterard and ends in Leenane. It therefore connects two named places as its start and finish, while the Green Road runs alongside the fjord.

The road from Leenane via Doo Lough to Drummin is part of the Wild Atlantic Way driving route. If you would like to include this route in your trip, it offers a specific connection between Leenane and the landscape around Doo Lough and Drummin.

Animals, traditions and activities

Near Leenane, Killary Sheep Farm offers insights into sheep farming and traditional work. Visitors can watch demonstrations with sheepdogs, sheep shearing and traditional turf cutting. At the farm, you can also bottle-feed orphaned lambs and use the walking trails. These activities combine animal encounters, demonstrations and exercise; families can choose which aspects suit their stay, depending on their interests.

The Leenane Sheep Show is another opportunity to learn about sheep. The show of Mountain Blackface sheep takes place annually in September. It also includes a children’s dog show, where young handlers compete for a title. September is therefore the time of year when this event takes place.

If you would rather be active, you can consider a range of activities. Transport to and from the walks is included in the Connemara Mountain Walking Festival, which takes place in Leenane. Nearby, the Killary Adventure Company offers kayaking on Killary Fjord.

Leenane in film, theatre and food

Film and theatre are also connected with Leenane. The village was a filming location in 1990 for the film “The Field”, directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Richard Harris and John Hurt. Leenane was also the setting for Martin McDonagh’s play “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”. The two works establish different cultural connections with the place: one is a film with named contributors, the other a play set in Leenane.

For a break with a local touch, Killary Café serves homemade food made with fresh local produce. You may want to include a holiday rental in Leenane in your search, particularly if you would like to focus on the village itself and the boat trip to the fjord from there.

Discover more places

More place pages: Cloghbrack, Inisheer, Indreabhán, Tully Cross, Carna, Oranmore, Furbo, Castlerea.

For the main travel overview: Galway.