How to Visit Doolough Valley
Read our travel guide on Doolough Valley in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
If you're driving from Killary Harbour to Westport, we suggest taking a scenic road trip through Doolough Valley instead of driving along N59.
We have a feeling you won't regret it, and it will be a great addition to your Ireland road trip itinerary.
A road passing between Mweelrea Mountain and Sheeffry Hills offers not only breathtaking views and dramatic scenery but also a tragic story known as the Doolough Tragedy of 1849.
Doolough Valley is located between Killary Fjord and a small village Louisburgh in Country Mayo.
A scenic R335 leads through the valley, making the area easily accessible by car.
Therefore, a trip to Doolough Valley is very straightforward and doesn't require some extra planning.
Still, knowing what to expect before you hit the road is always helpful.
How to Visit Doolough Valley
Our trip to Doolough Valley started past the village of Leenane in Killary Fjord, where we turned left onto R335 instead of staying on N59, which leads up to Westport.
We stopped at Aasleagh Falls, less than five hundred meters from this junction, explored the falls for a bit, and soon after continued toward the valley once again.
R335
Similar to N59, R335, a road lining the northern side of the harbor, is incredibly scenic.
There were a couple of places to pull over and enjoy the views safely, so drive slowly here.
After passing a stone bridge across the Bundorragha River, the road turned abruptly left.
At this point, we also had an opportunity to turn left onto a narrow road to a small pier to enjoy the views of Killary Harbour one last time, but we decided to continue directly to the valley.
After leaving the fjord behind, the road passed the popular Delphi Resort, Fin Lough, a lovely woodland area, and then carried on toward the Doolough Valley.
Doolough Valley
After a few moments, the valley started to open up once again, and we finally reached the shores of Doo Lough.
Even though the road was a bit narrower here, driving along the lake was not difficult. There were a few spots to pull over, allowing us to take in the scenery around us.
By the way, Doo Lough means Black Lake, it's a freshwater lake, and locals fish here.
Then the rural road made its way through a mountainous area with Glenullin Lake and plenty of sheep.
We drove slowly, as some of the sheep were really close, and some even walked in the middle of the road.
Luckily, the visibility was great, and we could easily spot them from the car.
Doolough Tragedy Memorial
The road started to climb up gradually, and shortly after, we reached the small memorial commemorating Doolough Tragedy.
Even though this is one of the Discovery Points along the Wild Atlantic Way, it has just a small gravel parking, the signage is not great, and it's easily missed.
Look for the typical WAW brown metal sign; it will be on your right-hand side.
Today, there is only a small, simple stone cross erected here in memory of the tragic event.
Doolough Tragedy
The tragedy occurred here in the early spring of 1847 during the Great Famine.
Several hundred starving local residents, including children, marched in a weakened state about 12 miles across the Doolough Valley from the village of Louisburgh to Delphi House in order to ask for help from their landlord, Marquis of Sligo.
They were looking for food and work, promised by the local relief program and local authorities.
After a grueling walk in extreme weather conditions, they were turned away, and many of them perished on the way back home.
It remains still unclear how many people died during the walk, as some sources say between 10 to 20, while some suggest the number was far higher.
You can find a simple inscription from Mahatma Gandhi on the monument: "How can men feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings?"
Views
This place is not only a great place to learn more about Irish history but also a great vantage point from which you can enjoy some of the finest views in Ireland.
Due to the tragic story and incredible scenery, it's no wonder the Doolough Valley is often described as hauntingly beautiful.
Honestly, the views can't get any better than this.
From here, we continued toward the Louisburgh village with the famine story still on our minds.
Opening Hours
Doolough Valley is accessible via a public road, so it is open year-round, and you can drive through this area any time of the day.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Doolough Valley.
If you're visiting Ireland on a budget, make sure to include as many scenic drives in your itinerary as possible.
Places like Slea Head Drive and Gap of Dunloe are absolutely stunning and free to explore.
How Much Time Do I Need
It takes about 30 minutes to get from Killary Harbour to Louisburgh, but stops will add time to your journey.
When to Go
Doolough Valley can be visited year-round.
Summer is an ideal time to visit this area for outdoor lovers, especially since the nearby Killary Harbour provides plenty of opportunities for summer activities.
Spring and fall provide unpredictable weather not just in Doolough Valley but throughout Ireland. The scenery remains still breathtaking, though.
Winter brings short and cold days, but you will have many places just for yourself. Here you will find more tips on when to visit Ireland.
Ireland roads can be busy in July and August, but R335 remains still fairly quiet. Plus, there's no need to rush, so take your time and enjoy the scenery.
Unlike places such as Connor Pass or Healy Pass, driving via Doolough Valley on a foggy and rainy day seems to be less stressful than across these mountainous passes, as the road has no zig-zags and steep inclines.
What to Pack
In general, you will need only road trip essentials for Doolough Valley, such as good shoes, comfortable clothing, and quality sunglasses.
On top of that, make sure to have a quality rain jacket or a windbreaker and a camera readily available for short stops you will make along the way.
Here you will find our complete Ireland packing list.
How to Get There
Unless you join an organized tour or take a taxi, the best way to get to Doolough Valley is by car.
Car
Driving in Ireland is not as difficult as it first appears, and the process of renting a car in Ireland is even easier.
R335 cuts through the valley, most of the time has two lanes, and only narrows down in a few places.
Galway is only 80 kilometers southwest of the valley, and the most direct route takes about 90 minutes.
However, we suggest following the N59 even past the Maam Cross, as you will have a chance also to explore places such as Connemara National Park, Sky Road, or Kylemore Abbey.
You can reach the valley from Clifden in less than an hour's drive.
You should be able to reach Westport from Doolough Valley in less than 40 minutes. Dublin is about four hours east of the valley.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Bike
Some locals also decide to cycle through Doolough Valley.
It can be a great experience, but make sure to check the local weather forecast before you go, as cycling through the valley on a rainy day won't be much fun.
Tours
Alternatively, you can take a guided tour that departs from Galway to visit multiple places in one day without worrying about itineraries or transportation.
Here you can reserve Connemara Tour from Galway, including Kylemore Abbey, Killary Fjord, and Doolough Valley.
Where to Stay
With its tranquil vibes and the variety of things to do, some travelers base themselves in nearby Killary Fjord to get the most out of what this area has to offer.
If you want to stay as close to Doolough Valley as possible, the Delphi Resort is the perfect choice for you.
In case you want to stay in the town, Westport, Clifden, and Galway offer a great selection of hotels for all budgets.
Delphi | Delphi Resort - Situated only a stone's throw from Doolough Valley, this hotel offers an amazing location, spacious rooms, a spa, a sauna, an adventure center, and free private parking.
Westport | The Wyatt Hotel - With a central location, cozy rooms, a bistro-style restaurant, and free private parking, this hotel is one of the most popular choices in Westport.
Leenane | Leenane Hotel - Located in Killary Harbour, this Ireland's oldest coaching inn offers clean rooms, stylish decor, spectacular views, free parking, and a fantastic location.
Staying Safe
Doolough Valley is generally a very safe place to visit, but it's smart to plan ahead to stay safe.
Always check the forecast and local weather warnings before you go.
Additionally, staying focused while driving is crucial as you can get easily distracted by surrounding scenery.
Furthermore, this area is known for freely roaming sheep, and it's not uncommon to encounter them on the road.
The most obvious tip is to slow down and keep your eyes on the road at all times.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Doolough Valley Worth Visiting?
We believe that Doolough Valley is worth seeing as it's one of those places that makes Ireland road trip so memorable.
The valley is easily accessible by car, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, sheep are everywhere, and the famine story will not leave you indifferent.
However, you will most likely need a car to get there, but it's well worth the drive.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
