Famous travel guide book names rural Galway tourist attraction 'best place to visit in world in 2027'

Of the millions of landmarks and iconic sights around the world, Lonely Planet has told travellers to put down Killary Harbour and Fjord in Connemara on their must-see travel bucket list for next year.

Lonely planet has been around for over 50 years and has published over 150 million travel publications.

Founded in Australia in 1973 by Tony and Maureen Wheeler, it describes Killary as “criminally undersung” telling people they will “be wowed by wonderful Killary Fjord” putting it fifth on their experiences list”.

Located on the tracks of the Wild Atlantic Way, the fjord spans 16km towards the village of Leenaun with the magazine coining it as a contender for one of the most breathtaking places in the country.

Earlier this year, it was announced that local company Killary Fjord Shellfish had completed a €270,000 investment aimed at meeting rising demand for premium Irish shellfish.

The business is based in the spectacular Killary Fjord on the Galway/Mayo border, framed by the Mweelrea, Maumturk and Twelve Bens mountains.

The investment in new harvesting equipment, and the expansion of the farm’s rope-grown mussel system, has resulted in higher yields, reduced fuel consumption and increased efficiencies.

Based in Leehane, Killary Fjord Shellfish secured €118,000 in grant support under the Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme, funded through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

The scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union and administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency.

Killary Fjord Shellfish is owned and operated by Simon Kennedy and his wife Kate O’Connor.

According to Simon Kennedy the investment reflects a long-term commitment to sustainability.

“We’ve been farming mussels in Killary Harbour for more than three decades and protecting the resource we rely on has always been central to how we operate,” he said.

“This investment has allowed us modernise, reduce energy costs and work more efficiently, while continuing to produce a premium Irish product in a way that makes sense environmentally and commercially,” he added.

Killary Fjord Shellfish has consistently prioritised sustainable practices, and wherever possible avoids single-use plastics, sourcing recyclable or reusable materials. Cotton mesh used for mussel bags is compostable and locally sourced, oysters are packaged in wooden boxes, and rope used in growing systems is stripped down and reused annually.