coastal drive
Wild Atlantic Way
2,500 km coastal route along Ireland's rugged western seaboard
31 km · about 35 min drive
EuropeIrelandConnacht
Tuam
Connacht, Ireland · Europe
About Tuam
Tuam sits on the route: 25 minutes from Claregalway, 52km from Aillwee Cave.
Tuam is in Connacht, Ireland, with about 9,600 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Claregalway, about 21 km away.
Tuam (; Irish: Tuaim [ˈt̪ˠuəmʲ], meaning 'mound' or 'burial-place') is a town in Ireland and the second-largest settlement in County Galway. It is west of the midlands of Ireland, about 35 km (22 mi) north of Galway city. The town is in a civil parish of the same name.
Humans have lived in the area since the BronzeRead more
Age while the historic period dates from the sixth century. The town became increasingly important in the 11th and 12th centuries in political and religious aspects of Ireland. The market-based layout of the town and square indicates the importance of commerce.
The red Latin cross of the coat of arms is representative of Tuam's importance as an ecclesiastical centre. The double green flaunches at the sides, represent the two hills or shoulders of Tuam's ancient name, Tuaim Dhá Ghualainn. The two crowns recall the High Kings, Tairrdelbach and Ruaidrí, who were based in Tuam. The broken chariot wheel is a reference to the foundation of the monastic town when St Jarlath's chariot wheel broke. The motto of the town, Tuath Thuama go buan, translates as 'long live the people of Tuam'.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Tuam?
Within an hour or so of Tuam: Wild Atlantic Way (31 km), Moran's Oyster Cottage (34 km), Black Head, Burren (49 km), Aillwee Cave (52 km).
Are there any good drives near Tuam?
The nearest famous roads are Wild Atlantic Way, Corkscrew Hill and Sky Road.
Where is Tuam?
Tuam is in Connacht, Ireland, about 21 km from Claregalway.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 9,647
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Connacht
- Timezone
- Europe/Dublin
- Coordinates
- 53.5167, -8.8500
Tags
Worth the detour from Tuam
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cafe
Moran's Oyster Cottage
A thatched cottage restaurant on the shore of Kilcolgan estuary serving fresh oysters since 1760, a legendary detour on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.
34 km · about 40 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Black Head, Burren
A bare limestone headland on the Burren coast with a small lighthouse, looking across Galway Bay to Connemara.
49 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
Aillwee Cave
A show cave in the Burren with an underground waterfall and hollows where brown bears once hibernated.
52 km · about 60 min drive
national park
Burren National Park
Protected area of the Burren's extraordinary limestone landscape, where rare orchids bloom between ancient dolmens and ring forts.
53 km · about 60 min drive
beach
Fanore Beach
A dune-backed beach on the Burren coast road, with the limestone terraces of Black Head rising behind.
53 km · about 60 min drive
natural wonder
The Burren
Unique lunar-like karst landscape of 250 square kilometres where Mediterranean and Arctic-Alpine flowers grow side by side in limestone pavements.
55 km · about 65 min drive
ancient ruins
Poulnabrone Dolmen
A striking 5,000-year-old portal tomb standing stark against the limestone pavement of the Burren.
55 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Tuam
- 31 kmWild Atlantic Way2,500 km coastal route along Ireland's rugged western seaboard
- 49 kmBlack Head, BurrenA bare limestone headland on the Burren coast with a small lighthouse, looking across Galway Bay to Connemara.
- 55 kmCorkscrew HillA zigzag climb on the N67 out of Ballyvaughan, built as famine relief work, with a viewpoint over the Burren at the top.
- 59 kmLough Inagh ValleyA glacial valley on the R344 in Connemara with a long lake wedged between the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks.
- 60 kmCroagh PatrickIreland's holiest mountain at 764 metres, where St Patrick is said to have fasted for 40 days, with sweeping views over Clew Bay.
- 60 kmDerryclare LoughThe Connemara lake with the much-photographed pine-covered islet, seen from a lay-by on the N59 near Recess.
Driving in Ireland
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€2.10/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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