Connemara’s Killary Fjord named as top global travel destination by Lonely Planet

Killary Fjord, the 16km-long flooded valley on the Galway - Mayo border, has been named as one of the top global destinations by travel publication Lonely Planet .

Described as “a strong contender for the most breathtaking, achingly beautiful place” in Ireland, the Connemara waterway earned a place as one of 25 top destinations in the prestigious travel guide for next year.

One of three glacial inlets in Ireland, it is as deep as 45 metres in its centre, with dolphins and sharks spotted in its waters.

“It’s one of those rare places that genuinely takes your breath away,” said Daniel Bolger, a destination editor at Lonely Planet. “As Ireland’s only true fjord, it combines dramatic scenery with a sense of peace and stillness.