ISSUE 4, VOL 17 October 2021 FREE ®
What's On CONNEMARA
Free ISSUE 2, VOLUME 18, MAY 2022
WHAT TO SEE AND DO Activities & Attractions Places To Visit Driving Routes
ENTERTAINMENT Events & Festivals Live Music Schedule Family Activities
EXPERT LOCAL ADVICE ON Shopping & Stores Dining Out & Bars Great Walks To Explore
MARCONI R E S TA U R A N T
L O C A L LY S O U R C E D D I S H E S - B O O K I N G A D V I S A B L E MAIN STREET CLIFDEN 095 21801
day Home Place your Holi in our hands
FINE WINES
EST
FOYLES
1835
G E N E R AT I O N S O F H O S P I TA L I T Y
GO CALL YVONNE 095 22669 VISIT connemaralettings.ie
MULLARKEY’S BAR
OD SPIRITS
BAR · VENUE · CRAIC · MUSIC
Contents Live Music
3
Events & Festivals
4
Walk of the Month
5
Activities & Attractions
6-9
Places to Visit
10-11
Clifden Map
12
Connemara Map
13
Cycle Routes & Beaches
13
Drives & Day Tours
14-15
What’s On the Menu?
16-19
What's in Store?
20-23
Useful Information
24
Editors Jonathan Powell and Amanda Burke Designer Lucy Jackson lucyjacksondesign.com Additional Copywriting Hilary White @HAWhiteK Contact Us jonathan@whatson.ie Cover Photo Professor Chaosheng Zhang Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents presented in this guide, neither What's On® nor its publishers can be held liable for any loss, damage or injury arising f rom the reliance upon the contents of this guide.
Page 2. Welcome to Connemara. 'Wherever you go, go with all your heart'. Confucius
Let's go together You’ve made it this far – now, let What’s On take you even further into the heart of Connemara. Since 2005, it’s been our privilege to help visitors plot a course through the colours, textures, and flavours of our wild and beautiful home. Whether you’re a f irst-timer or a seasoned visitor, we hope these pages can do the same for you.
Restaurant Upstairs Serving A la Carte from 6pm til late
Bar food
John Spillane
served all day
Friday 6th May
Live Music Nightly
E.J. Kings
Tim Edey, Mairi Rankin & Eric Wright
Book online
3 Floors of Dining & The Terrace
Monday 9th May
What's On
Venue
Monday
Market Square, Clifden, Co. Galway T:095 21330 W:ejkings.com
®
Live music schedule
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
9.30-11.30pm An entertaining mix of traditional and country music
E.J. King's
advert above
Friday
9.30-11.30pm An entertaining mix of traditional and country music
Saturday
10-12pm An entertaining mix of traditional and country music
Kylemore Abbey advert opposite
10pm Amazing Mix of upbeat Irish & Contemporary Music
Lowry's
advert page 13
10pm Energetic Irish Folk Music & Tunes
Mullarkey's
advert opposite
Station House Hotel advert page 12
9pm Relax in the Foyer to the sound of the Piano
9pm From Mendelson to Mercury on the Foyer Piano
10-12pm An entertaining mix of traditional and country music
9-11pm An entertaining mix of traditional and country music
2pm Irish songs from local musician in the Neo-Gothic Church
2pm Traditional Irish harpist in the stunning Neo-Gothic Church
10pm Legendary Mix of Irish Ballads & Contemporary Music
10pm Irish and Contemporary Music with a Celtic Twist!
10pm Legendary Mix of Irish Folk Ballads & Contemporary
10pm Amazing Mix of upbeat Irish & Contemporary Music
9.30pm Live music session Trad folk country bluegrass rhythm & blues
9.30pm Open session Singers players poets dancers jokers & chancers, all welcome
9.30pm Live music session Tradfolk country bluegrass rythm & blues
9.30pm Trad Session 11pm Live jazz funk soul & motown
9pm Relax in the Foyer to the sound of the Piano
9pm From Mendelson to Mercury on the Foyer Piano
9pm Relax in the Foyer to the sound of the Piano
9pm From Mendelson to Mercury on the Foyer Piano
Woodfield Hotel
Sunday
7-9pm Lively Classic Irish & Folk Music 9.30-12pm Legendary Irish and Contemporary Music 9.30pm Live traditional & country music ballads & foot tappers
10pm Lively Country Music
advert page 18
Experts say it's now possible to carry a tune and 2 pints of stout at the same time. Page 3
SOU PS - SALADS - SAN DW I C HES
PIZZAS - SEAFO O D
LUNCH @
Connemara Sands Hotel
Connemara Sands BEACH
HOTEL
SPA
Seaweed Baths & Spa RESTORE YOUR MIND & BODY WITH OUR VOYA ORGANIC SEAWEED TREATMENTS
Enjoy access to the wonderful Mannin Bay Beach BALLYCONNEELY CALL 095-23030 Visit connemarasands-hotel.com
Connemara, a place to dream and quiet the soul
events & festivals Connemara's cultural highlights this month Inishbofin Half Marathon Walk, jog or run past pristine beaches, bogs and mountains, while raising vital funds for Down Syndrome Galway's speech and language therapy project on the beautiful island of Inishbofin. When Sat 14th May
Clifden RNLI Launch a Memory
Where Inishbofin More facebook inishbofinhalfmarathon
The crew will be bringing back the new Shannon class lifeboat, St. Christopher to the Clifden lifeboat stations with an opportunity for people to see the boat up close and in person. When Sat 13th 3.30pm & Sun 14th May 9.30pm More Facebook Clifden RNLI
Oughterard Mayfly Festival
Where Clifden Quay & Clifden Beach
This international mayfly festival celebrates all that's special about Oughterard and everything to discover in the area, Saturday is the fly fishing competition and Sunday is the dapping competition.
Darkness into Light Challenge Join this annual community 5km walking event at sunrise, for local charities in aid of people impacted by suicide and self-harm.
When May 7th - 8th Where Oughterard
When Sat 7th May 4.15am
More facebook, Oughterard Anglers Association
Where An Cheathrú Rua: An Cheathrú Rua Community Centre. Clifden: Town Hall, Clifden. Inishbofin: Inishbofin Community Centre. Kylemore Abbey: Bridge at Kylemore Abbey. More darknessintolight.ie
Bealtaine Shutter Sunday Budding photographers, amateurs, professionals or anyone with a working camera receive complimentary admission, to feast their senses and lenses on all the natural beauty Brigit's Garden has to offer for the Sunday shutter day. When Sun 22nd May 10am - 12pm
National Biodiversity Week Explore the rich variety of life in Connemara this May with a host of wonderful events and activities for the whole family. Keep an eye on their website for updates on their events.
Where Brigit's Garden, Rosscahill More brigitsgarden.ie
When May 13th - 22nd
Where Connemara
More biodiversityweek.ie
Page 4. Connemara is always a good idea.
BIKE HIRE - REGULAR & ELECTRIC
SALES & REPAIRS Hire | Discover | Service | Accessories
Market Street, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway H71 DW67
Call: +353 (0)95 22630 Book at www.clifdenbikeshop.ie
4
T H E
095-21699
C A R R I A G E
R E S T A U R A N T
Dinner is Served Each Evening From 6:00pm. Booking is Essential.
Clifden Station House Hotel, Galway Road, Clifden, Co. Galway,H71 AK52
Inis Ní Inishnee Loop
walk of the month Start / Finish Terrain Distance Grade
Trailhead, Off the R341 2km north of Roundstone Road, bóithrín (narrow country road) 6km 2 / 2.5 hours
Located just 2km east of Roundstone, Inishnee is a wonderfully unique destination that offers a glimpse into the peace and tranquility of island life. This National Looped Walk is suitable for all levels. Besides good footwear and rain gear, bring water as there are no amenities on the island itself. This is suitable for the whole family, but if bringing a stroller, it needs to be sturdy as the terrain is uneven in places. Allow 2/2.5 hours to complete the walk. Begin at the trailhead located just after the bridge connecting Inishnee to the mainland, where you will find a large noticeboard featuring a map of the walk. For the first few kilometres, the road is relatively flat and allows you to take in the scenery and let your mind wander to the sounds of the island. Passing a few houses, you come to an inlet on your left where you can enjoy views of the Twelve Bens mountain range to the east and Roundstone across Bertraghboy Bay to the west.
View of Roundstone Bay and Inishnee from Errisbeg
You will loop back to this point from the left later – for now keep going straight towards the centre of the island. Following the edge of the island for 1.5km, you’re rewarded by more fabulous views of Roundstone to your right. When you reach the fork junction at another inlet, take a left and walk up the incline. The road will change into a minor roadway and climb gently to the other side of the island where you will find Saint Matthew’s Graveyard on your right. Continue until the small road becomes an old stone laneway, taking your time to say hello to a few Connemara ponies along the way. Eventually, the track veers left and brings you to a working pier. From there, follow the path to the main road, turning right to go back to the trailhead. For further information on this walk, along with a detailed map, please visit connemara.net/inishnee
We're sorry you forgot your phone charger, you could instead try staring intermittently at your shoes for the rest of the evening. Page 5
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Main Street, Clifden
095-21038
millarsconnemara@gmail.com
millarsconemara.ie
Open 7 Days a Week
Journey outside and discover Connemara’s hidden gems
activities & attractions Get inspired and find your Connemara
Beaches
Walking
Some of Europe’s most exquisite beaches are located around the jagged coastline of Connemara. Each has its own character and layout, meaning endless options for exploring, beachcombing, swimming, rockpooling, walking, and more. The Coral Strand, on the Clifden to Ballyconneely road, is easily accessed and distinguished by its golden coral sand. Crystal blue waters and gentle dunes make nearby Mannin Bay a family favourite. Dog's Bay and Gurteen are sweeping coves that draw visitors to Roundstone from far and wide. North of Clifden, Omey Strand offers limitless freedom, while Glassilaun glistens like a discovered jewel. There are countless secluded spots waiting to be happened upon at the end of quiet boreens, whether it’s for sunny days with buckets and spades or bracing walks to blow away the cobwebs. Whatever the season and whatever the reason, clear Atlantic waters and sea air are an unbeatable tonic for body and mind.
Endless miles of rugged coastline, islands, lakefilled hinterlands, and some fifty mountains across four ranges (the Twelve Bens, Maum Turks, Partry, and Sheffrey) – if Connemara doesn’t make your legs yearn to stretch themselves, nowhere will. All levels of fitness, speed, and ambition are catered for, whether its mountain peaks, forest pathways, bogland boardwalks, or sea-kissed headlands. Connemara National Park and its hugely satisfying Diamond Hill loop is a must, as is the walkable and otherworldly island of Inishbofin. Clifden’s tranquil Beach Road takes you from town centre to ocean’s edge, passing close to the ruins of Clifden Castle. Ballynahinch’s sheltered network of pathways that skirt river, lake, and pristine woodland also boasts the first 6km of the much-anticipated Connemara Greenway. Walking is how we connect with a place and slow down to its frequency. For those wishing to tune into Connemara’s, there is no better way in which to do so.
Locate: See beach umbrella symbols on map page 13.
More information: See www.connemara.net.
The Derrigimlagh Looped Walk
Cycling & Bike Hire
Less than 5km south from Clifden, history and nature combine in remarkable fashion. This protected biodiversity area with lake-studded blanket bogs were both the jumping off point for the first transatlantic radio signal in 1907, as well as the landing site for the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919. A looped boardwalk with interactive information takes you through these world-changing events.
Cycling is one of the best ways to drink in the peacefulness and sheer breadth of the Connemara landscape. Clifden Bike Shop have bikes for all inclinations, from electric and hybrid to children’s bikes, buggies, and tandems. Hire includes helmet, Hi-Viz, lock, route maps, and roadside assistance. Mention 'What’s On' and you might even get a complimentary bottle of water.
Locate: Connemara map plane symbol.
Locate: Clifden map #22, advert page 4 & 13.
Page 6. If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to TikTok it, does it make a sound?
Indulge in one of life’s great treats & enjoy one of our picnics in the great outdoors To order your picnic call 095 31006 or email info@ballynahinch-castle.com
O'Dalaigh Jewellers STUNNING WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT RINGS
UNIQUE IN IRELAND Handmade In-Store Since 1973
www.guysbarclifden.com
TA K E AWAY M E N U AVA I L A B L E
SILVER & GOLD CELTIC CONTEMPOR ARY, VINTAGE SEA LIFE COLLECTIONS & MORE
OGHA M BAR COLLECTION
NAMES OR WORDS HANDCARVED IN THE OLDEST FORM OF IRISH WRITING
Gifts they will never forget
095-21130
GUYS BAR CLIFDEN
M ain Str eet, Clifden T: 095 22119 celticimpr essions.com
Main Street, Clifden email info@guysbarclifden.com
The Ballynahinch Estate
Clifden Station House Leisure Centre
You mightn’t be booked in to stay at the Castle Hotel but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the pristine miniature kingdom that is the Ballynahinch Estate. A 16km network of pathways weaves through this truly remarkable Connemara wonderland of waters, woods and mountains. Afterwards, refreshment and log fires await at the hotel’s classy Fisherman’s Pub. An illustrated route map is available to download.
From fitness buffs to those who prefer their swimming in a heated pool rather than a windswept beach, this tip-top leisure centre is worth taking note of. There is ample scope for some serious unwinding here too, courtesy of its sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and Renew Beauty and Spa which offers a range of treatments. Three and seven-day passes are available. To book, call 095-30433.
Locate: Connemara map #23, advert page 6.
Locate: Clifden map #34.
Blue Water Fishing
Clifden Station House Museum
When it comes to deep-sea angling, skipper John Brittain has a lifetime of experience. Who better, then, to bring you and your team for a day of Atlantic horizons and some of the best open-water fishing in Europe? Tackle, know-how, and safety equipment are provided aboard John’s fully licensed boat, the Blue Water. Shorter trips for younger seadogs are also available.
Located on the site of Clifden’s old railway station, this lovingly restored original engine house serves as the town’s museum. Here, families can enjoy learning about the history of Clifden, the Galway-to-Clifden railway line, the native Connemara Pony breed, Millar’s Mill, and the first transatlantic flight by legendary aviators Alcock and Brown. There’s also a photographic exhibition on the Marconi wireless station.
Locate: Connemara map #80, advert page 24.
Locate: Clifden map #32.
Brigit's Garden
Connemara Golf Links
This Celtic wonderland between Galway and Connemara is an ideal stop-off for families. Four ornate and meditative gardens take visitors through the seasonal festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa, before leading you through woodlands and meadows. All the while, Celtic mythologies gently impart their wisdom and inspiration along the way. Its café comes highly rated too.
Designed by Eddie Hackett, this is one of the most scenic, natural links courses in the world. Its fairways and greens are interwoven through the rocky and rugged slopes, creating a uniquely remote and true championship links. Tom Watson, regarded as one of the greatest links players of all time, described the course as “spectacular”. Golf carts, rental clubs, practice facilities and expert tuition are available.
Locate: Connemara map #26, advert page 9.
Locate: Connemara map #37, advert page 13. Hills, mountains, hillocks, horns, pinnacles, summits—we've got ‘em all, go climb one, and take in a view or two. Page 7
The Point Pony Trekking and Horse Riding Centre
Beginners and advanced riders welcome We speak English, French and Dutch A.I.R.E. approved
Closed on Sundays
Discover Connemara's most stunning
beaches and coastline on horseback Ballyconneely, Co. Galway (beside beaches & Connemara Golf Links) T: 095 23685 / 087 246 8294 thepointponytrekkingcentre.com
Connemara National Park Letterfrack, C o. G a l w a y
Woodland Trails Diamond Hill Walks
Outdoor Picnic Areas • Café • Playground Free Exhibition and AV Film
Free Admission Open Daily – Year Round
Park Centre: +353 (0)95 41054 Office: +353 (0)1 539 3157 Email: cnp@housing.gov.ie www.connemaranationalpark.ie
Hop aboard the Island Adventure, our new 240 passenger boat to Inishbofin from Cleggan
INISHBOFIN FERRY Booking Advisable See timetable page 24 T: 095 45819 / 086 1718829 inishbofinislanddiscovery.com
Celebrate Food Celebrate Wine Celebrate Life
Learn about the history of sheep farming and wool craft Demonstrations ¦ Gift shop ¦ Cafe www.sheepandwoolcentre.com LEENANE, COUNTY GALWAY
West @ The Twelve Barna Village, Galway
www.thetwelvehotel.ie 091 597000
Connemara National Park
Kylemore Abbey & Gardens
Free, accessible and richly rewarding, the National Park in Letterfrack is a gateway to a deeper level of intimacy with this unique landscape. The Diamond Hill loop is a most idyllic hiking trail, traversing biodiverse habitats and rewarding you with jawdropping views across the region. A woodland walk, immersive visitors’ centre, playground, and café are on hand should the weather act up.
As romantic gifts go, Kylemore Abbey is hard to top. Built in 1868 by a wealthy industrialist as a home for his wife, the 1,000-hectare estate is today one of the most instantly recognisable beauty spots in Europe. A contained Connemara wonderland that boasts lakeside and woodland walks, mountain skylines, not to mention the Abbey, Victorian walled garden and tearooms.
Locate: Connemara map #40, advert page 7.
Locate: Clifden map #49, advert page 2.
Gaeltacht Regional Area
Le Petit Spa @ The Twelve Hotel
Ireland’s second-largest Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) is located in South Connemara, and maintains to this day an indelible link to a different time. While Gaeilge is the day-to-day language, the people of this community can switch to English effortlessly if needed. Visitors are therefore not only welcome, but they will find in this heartland an emphasis on traditional culture and customs that is enriching to behold.
Residents and day-visitors in search of much-needed me-time should find themselves suitably melted once Le Petit Spa has had its way with them. Full-body, hot-stone, and Indian head massages are on the menu, as are a range of organic beauty and detox treatments using locally sourced products. Taking pride of place among the latter are its Nourishing Marine Cocoon Wrap and Detox Seaweed Bath. .Locate: Connemara map #73, advert page 8.
Jewellery Making
Real Adventures
Wander into O’Dalaigh Jewellers on Clifden’s Main Street and you might find it difficult to leave. This family-run outfit crafts unique finery inspired by the golden age of Celtic jewellery making, while also keeping in touch with modern sensibilities. Join them for a jewellery-making session and you’ll come away with some of the secrets of this ancient craft – and who knows what else, besides.
There are infinite ways that a landscape such as Connemara can be enjoyed. Those wishing to get off the beaten track, however, should touch base here as they specialise in mapping the West as a playground for outdoor pursuits. Coastal kayaking, surfing, coasteering, paddle boarding, rock climbing and hiking, all fully guided and equipped, are available to those looking to get the heartrate up.
Locate: Clifden map #61, advert page 7.
Locate: Connemara map #66, advert page 9.
Page 8. The weather is always passing overhead without as much as a wave.
Alan Gaillard
“The most romantic place to stay in Ireland”
Ceramics Studio
Cosmpolitan Magazine
COASTEERING - SURF - CLIMB - KAYAK - SUP
4 Star
Guesthouse & Town Rental
Visitors Welcome 12am to 6pm Mon-Sat TELEPHONE 095-22786 WEB alangaillard.com 2km north of Clifden on N59 Westport Rd, See Clifden map.
BOOK ONLINE
realadventures.ie
The Quay House
ON THE DAY
085 146 2526
Tel: 095 21369
www.thequayhouse.com
Roundstone Bay & Island Tours
Connemara Sheep & Wool Centre
Embark from Roundstone Harbour and sail to a deserted island for a lunch of lobster or fish caught en route. This tour company provides scenic boating encounters on this stretch of coastline that weave in a culinary element, thus heightening the experience to another level. Tours are led by a fourth-generation Roundstone fisherman, with seals, dolphins, sunfish, otters and basking sharks often making cameos.
Sheep farming is tied up in the identity of Connemara, as any drive through the region will prove. This inviting heritage experience in Leenane aims to celebrate this age-old tradition and reveal some of its mysteries. Highlights include a yarnspinning demonstration and a gift store selling the woollen and knitwear fruits of the industry, while a café awaits at the end of the tour.
Locate: Connemara map #67, advert page 8.
Locate: Connemara map #68, advert page 8.
Sands Seaweed Baths & Spa
The Western Way
Sumptuous seaweed baths by Voya, the world's first producer of certified organic seaweed-based skincare products, are among the wide range of treatments served up by this soothing coastal spa at the Connemara Sands Hotel. Located by the crystalline waters of Mannin Bay in Ballyconneely, the spa is open 10am-6pm daily, and 10am-8pm on Fridays. Booking is essential.
For those looking to fully immerse themselves in the wilds of Connemara, this long-distance walking trail is just the ticket. Traversing quiet bog roads, forestry tracks, mountain paths and timber bridges, you begin in Oughterard, heading north towards the Maumturk mountains, the Inagh Valley, and onto Killary Harbour. Waymarked and accessible at various points, this is a perfect sense of wilderness.
Locate: Connemara map #41, advert page 3.
Starts: Oughterard Passing Through: Maum & Leenaun.
The Point Pony Trekking
Wildlands - family day out!
The world looks different from horseback, revealing things you might otherwise have missed. With 25 years of experience, this equine company located close to the Connemara Golf Links and the dreamy white sands of Aillebrack beach will show you how. All treks are accompanied by qualified staff, with safety equipment included free of charge. Closed on Sunday.
Minutes from Galway on the Clifden road, the village of Moycullen has become a hotspot for thrill-seeking thanks to this abundant activity centre. Wildlands welcomes all ages and levels of excitability to its popular Zip ‘n’ Trek course, its new celtic challenge rooms, as well as fun walls, archery, bushcraft, yoga, fairy trails, and tonnes of other indoor and outdoor frolics on its 20-acre site.
Locate: Connemara map #71, advert page 7.
Locate: Connemara map #74, advert page 9. Connemara has oft been described as rugged, romantic and savage, in other words, like an expensive foreign aftershave—Le Connemara, j’adore! Page 9
Connecting
People & Nature
DISCOVER the Wild!
Celtic-themed Gardens surrounded by wildflower meadows and woodland. Family friendly.
www.brigitsgarden.ie
091 550 905 Rosscahill, Co.Galway
Wildlands, Moycullen, Galway
www.wildlands.ie
An ode to a sense of place, doth help with time and space
great places to visit A multitude of colourful towns and villages are waiting for you
Ballyconneely
Clifden
The winding coast road of Ballyconneely takes you through one of Connemara's popular holiday destinations. Glorious sandy beaches are inescapable, even at the world-renowned Connemara Championship Golf Links. In summertime, the village itself enjoys a vibrant atmosphere, but make sure to explore the many small and quiet byroads by bicycle or car as these will open up the peaceful treasures hidden along this stretch of coast.
The unofficial Capital of Connemara and the axis on which everything in the region turns. Since its founding in 1812, Clifden’s position between the mountains and ocean continues to attract multitudes each year, some of whom never leave. Annual highlights include the Connemara Pony Show, Clifden Trad Fest, Ireland's longest running community arts festival, Clifden Arts Festival. An eclectic mix of shops, bars, and cafes lies in store.
Carna
Inishbofin
The village of Carna is a gateway to the Irishspeaking Gaeltacht region, famed for its sean-nós (old style) singing, dancing, folklore and storytelling. The most famous past resident is Joe Heaney, Ireland's greatest storyteller in the native tongue. The Emigrant’s Commemorative Centre tells Carna’s saga of mass emigration, and was opened in 2014 by Boston mayor Marty Walsh, himself a descendant of the area.
The largest populated island in western Connemara, Inishbofin is a bounteous place to visit, what with its monastic and archaeological history, dramatic cliffs, gorgeous beaches, rich wildlife, and inviting hospitality. Its walking and cycling routes make all corners of the island easily charted. Legendary traditional music sessions in its bars, meanwhile, do their very best to help you miss the ferry back to Cleggan.
Cleggan & Claddaghduff
Killary Fjord & Leenane
The busy harbour of Cleggan is both a departure point for Inishbofin island and a refuelling hub for those in search of seafood and live music. A number of splendid beaches lie just past the village on the Aughrus peninsula, including the famous Omey Strand and tidal island at Claddaghduff. Popular annual events include the Omey Races, Festival of the Sea, and Cleggan Fringe Festival.
Right on the county border of Galway and Mayo, the village of Leenane is huddled between the feet of towering mountains and the shores of Ireland’s only fjord, Killary Harbour. Cyclists, kayakers, ramblers, and mountaineers have all felt the pull, with a recently established mountain-walking festival now drawing many enthusiasts annually. Leenane also welcomed Hollywood in 1980 as the backdrop for Jim Sheridan’s The Field.
Page 10. Sometimes it rains here. Time to bedeck yourself and the entire family in brightly coloured wellington boots and raincoats that you’ll only wear once. A happy souvenir to look back on amidst the horror of reading your credit card bill on arrival home.
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Letterfrack
Rosmuc
Located along the Westport Road the village of Letterfrack is a diverse and spirited hive of activity nestled under Diamond Hill. The jumping off point for Kylemore, the Renvyle Peninsula, and the majestic Connemara National Park, it also has a great sense of local pride thanks to its community radio station, college campus, friendly pubs, independent bookstore, and annual festivals, Bog Week in the early summer, and Sea Week in the autumn.
In the Gaeltacht village of Rosmuc, sean-nós (old style) music and dance are part of the very fabric, as is their Gaelic football team. The former summer home of Irish revolutionary Pàdraig Pearse is now a national heritage site here, and an interactive exhibition showcases the area's landscape and history to great effect. Rossaveal harbour 15-minutes away is an embarkation point for the Aran Islands.
Oughterard
Roundstone
Pretty as a picture on the western shore of Lough Corrib, Oughterard is not only the gateway to Connemara, it is the main angling centre for the largest lake in Ireland. Boat hire, fly-tying and freshwater angling are popular pursuits, but the area also offers scenic and heritage walks. An ever-evolving mixture of shops, small businesses, traditional pubs, and accommodation providers makes this a major Connemara destination.
This harbour village facing on to the Twelve Pins mountain range has been a destination for generations of visitors. A busy summer schedule of events includes pony shows, a dog show, weekly Sunday farmer’s market, and the Roundstone Regatta. The mesmeric Bog Road to its north, Dog’s Bay and Gurteen beaches to its south, and fresh seafood in its centre, Roundstone is an must visit.
Renvyle Peninsula
Spiddal
A left turn at Letterfrack brings you out the rolling Renvyle Peninsula. Surrounded on three sides by Atlantic Ocean and intersected by the Dawros river, the drive takes you through the gorgeous village of Tullycross, which hosted a lively mussel festival each year, and on to the scenic headland. You can also access beaches at Lettergesh, and beyond it, the stunning Glassilaun and Mweelrea mountain.
The village of Spiddal (An Spidéal) on the shores of Galway Bay is one of the largest Irish-speaking areas of the Gaeltacht and has a charming traditional appeal. While English is spoken when needed, all road signs and day-to-day speech are as gaeilge. Crafts and culture can be experienced here, as can some great natural beauty – Trá na mBan, a Blue Flag beach, and Shannagurraun Wood.
Photo © Niall O'Donovan
There’s a lot to see and do in Connemara, but sometimes it’s best to do a lot of very little. Page 11
Under New Mangement | Boutique Hotel | Market Square, Clifden
#Connemara www.connemara.net
info@alcockandbrownhotel.com | 095-21880 | www.alcockandbrownhotel.com
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Daily Specials Available
095-21699
Food Served from 12–9pm tel: 095-21699 email: info@clifdenstationhouse.com website: clifdenstationhouse.com
Clifden
Fuel / Gas Station Clifden Station House Museum Clifden Medical Practice Tel: 095-21224
Alan Gaillard Ceramics ......................... 20 Alcock & Brown Hotel............................ 21 All Things Connemara .......................... 22 Bridewell Brewery................................... 25 Carriage Restaurant................................ 30 Clifden Bike Shop.................................... 22 Clifden Bookshop.................................... 28 Clifden Station House Cinema............ 31 Clifden Station House Museum.......... 32 Clifden Station Hse Leisure Centre... 34 Clifden Opticians .................................... 29 Connemara Blue ...................................... 36 Connemara Hamper................................ 38 Connemara Lettings............................... 39 EJ King's...................................................... 43 Foyle's Hotel.............................................. 44 Guy’s Bar.................................................... 46 Intersport Gannons ................................ 45 Jasmine Garden Restaurant ................ 48
Lamplight Wine Bar................................ 50 Love Vintage ............................................ 51 Lowry’s Bar................................................ 53 Lowry's Sweater Shop........................... 52 Mannion's Bar........................................... 54 Marconi Restaurant................................. 44 Millars Connemara ................................. 55 Mitchell's Restaurant ............................. 56 Moran's Pharmacy .................................. 58 Mullarkey’s Bar......................................... 59 O’Dalaigh Jewellers ................................ 61 Ohh! By Gum ............................................ 62 Provenance Interiors............................... 65 SuperValu................................................... 70 The Quay House Guesthouse ............. 72 The Signal Bar & Restaurant .............. 33 Tom King's Bar.......................................... 43 Woodfield Hotel....................................... 75
Doctor's Practice Tel: 095-21141 Clifden Dental Practice Tel: 095-22731 20 2 km on right
Clifden District Hospital Tel: 095-21301
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Clifden Opticians Bridge Street, Clifden 095 30995 info@clifdenopticians.ie www.clifdenopticians.ie
Riverside
R341 R341
to Ballyconneely and Roundstone Page 12. You are right where you’re supposed to be, if not, then see page 13, very lucky for some.
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RENT A BIKE
Market Street, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway H71 DW67 BOOK at www.clifdenbikeshop.ie
Connemara
to Louisburg
to Westport
Sheeffry Hills
Mweelrea
N59
Inishbofin
Partry Mountains
Tully Tullycross
47
Renvyle
N59
CLIFDEN Errislannan
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R336
24 Letterfrack 40
Omey Island
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68 Leenaun
N59
Kylemore Abbey 49
Cleggan 63 80
Clonbur R336
The Twelve Bens Mountain Range
Maam
Maumturk Mountains
Inagh Valley
R345
R336
N59
R341
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel................. 23 Bluewater Fishing................................ 80 Books at One Letterfrack...................24 Brigit's Garden.......................................26 Coffee Cottage..................................... 35 Connemara Golf Links.........................37 Connemara National Park................. 40 Connemara Sands Hotel & Spa........41 Connemara Sheep & Wool Centre.68 Connemara Smokehouse...................42 Inishbofin Island Ferry .......................47 Kylemore Abbey & Gardens.............. 49 O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar ..................... 60 Oliver's Seafood Bar........................... 63 Cong Real Adventures................................... 66 Roundstone Bay & Island Tours...... 67 Standún .................................................. 69 The Point Pony Trekking ...................71 The Twelve Hotel & Restaurant...... 73 Wildlands................................................74
N59
Recess
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Cashel
Ballyconneely
N59
Maam Cross
Headford
Derroura N84
R340
N59
Oughterard
69 Bunowen Pier
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R341
60 35 Roundstone
N59
R336
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R340
N84
Screebe
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R340
Roscahill
Cycle routes
N59
Loop 1 Sky Road loop 16/20 km Loop 2 Errislannan / Derrigimlagh 14/18 km Loop 3 Cleggan / Claddaghduff 31 km Loop 4 Roundstone / Ballyconneely 40/44 km Loop 5 North Connemara 57 km Derroura MTB Trail 10km Lettershanbally Forestry MTB Trail 8km Cappaghoosh MTB Trail 6km
R340
Rosmuc
Kilkerrin Carna
Moycullen
R336
74 N84 N59
Lettermore Costelloe Carraroe
Lettermullan
Rossaveel
Gorumna
Inverin
R336
See Connemara.net for maps of each route
GALWAY CITY R336
Beaches
Spiddal
69
R336
Site of Alcock and Brown Transatlantic Flight
Barna
73
Site of Marconi Station
This map is not to scale because small seagulls are annoyingly hard to draw. Page 13
SPECTACULAR VIEWS • VISITORS WELCOME
THE CLUBHOUSE BAR & RESTAURANT
OUTDOOR M A R K E T S
@CONNEMARA GOLF LINKS
CLIFDEN OUTDOOR MARKET FRIDAYS FROM 10AM
Serving Freshly Prepared Food Daily www.connemaragolflinks.com Ballyconneely, Tel: 095 23502
CLEGGAN MARKET SATURDAY 11AM-3PM MAAM CROSS MART SATURDAYS FROM 11AM MOYCULLEN COUNTRY MARKET FRIDAYS FROM 1PM
Ethical fashion for women, men and children
"The Best Boutique in Ireland"
Voted by The Irish Times
Find Us in The Courtyard, Clifden Station House (#15 on Clifden map) 095 21334 www.ohhbygum.ie
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Blanket bogs, the fjord, lots of lakes, selfie stops, sea mist, chained mountains, indifferent sheep
drives & day-tours Driving is an ideal way to take in some of the spectacular sights of Connemara
Roundstone Bog & Ballyconneely Loop
Heartlands of Connemara
On the N59 from Galway, turn left onto the R341 just after the worldfamous Derryclare lough with its pine-covered island. This takes you south towards Roundstone and past Ballynahinch Estate. As you approach Roundstone, a right-hand turn marks the beginning of the famous Bog Road that winds through unbroken blanket bog and lakes back towards Clifden (from Clifden, take the R341 towards Ballyconneely and turn left at Ballinaboy Bridge). If you prefer to stay by the coast, continue to Roundstone village. Near it, the island of Inishnee can be accessed by car and is a peaceful walking destination.
Heading west of Lough Corrib and Oughterard on the N59, the beauty of Connemara really begins to unfold before you. Mountains start to rise up in the distance and the terrain becomes dotted with lakes separated by blanket bog and forestry. Five miles after leaving Oughterard, keep an eye out to your left-hand side for the iconic Quiet Man Bridge made famous by John Wayne in the 1952 film.
The fishing village of Roundstone itself is a must-see and a venue for great food. From there, the road continues south past the famous twin beaches of Gurteen and Dog’s Bay, before winding onwards through a rocky moonscape on one side and a jagged coastline on the other towards the village of Ballyconneely. Taking a left here brings you further south again to Aillebrack, Connemara Championship Golf Links, and Doonlaughan Beach. Returning to the R341 and continuing northwards brings you past Mannin Bay, Coral Strand, Derrygimlagh, and eventually Clifden. Image above: The Bog Road looking towards Errisbeg
Page 14. If you ever catch me wandering as a lonely cloud again, please call my wife.
As you come to Maam Cross, the midway point of Connemara, you may start to notice traces of the long-gone Galway-to-Clifden railway here and there on either side of the road. Continuing towards Clifden, you come to Recess where the Connemara Giant statue overlooks the village car park. Past Recess, take the R344 right and continue the whole way through the mountain-flanked Inagh Valley, one of Ireland’s most magnificent drives. The valley is especially enigmatic on calm clear mornings or at sunset, when the unique Connemara light illuminates the landscape. At the end of the Inagh Valley, you can choose to turn left towards Kylemore, Letterfrack and Clifden, or right towards Leenane and Killary Harbour. Image above: Killary Fjord, Chris Hill
A haven for book lovers in Connemara A comprehensive range of titles in store with emphasis on Newly Published Titles in all genres including Irish and World History & Literature.
INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OF THE YEAR 2013 VOTED IRISH TIMES BEST 50 SHOPS IN IRELAND 2013
Traditional Smoked Salmon Saumon Fumé
Share in the Roberts family’s incredible passion for handmade quality food - Regular Tastings -
Shop open Mon - Fri 9am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm
Also available online at smokehouse.ie The Clifden Bookshop, Main Street Tel: 095-22020 Web: clifdenbookshop.com Email: clifdenbookshop@gmail.com
2020 Looking forAdvertisement the Islands Clifden From Clifden, follow Bookshop the Sky Road to the Since its inception in 1997, the Clifden Bookshop has scenic pointproven for panoramas over Atlantic a haven for visiting and local booklovers alike. islands. Continue Streamstown Baya comprehensive Run bynorth Máireto and Nicole, it boasts range of titles in end storeof and and Boolard island. At the thewas Skynamed Bookshop of the Year in 2013. It includes an excellent range of History, Local Authors, Irish Road, go left on to the N59, and then a quick Literature, Best Sellers, Memoirs, Maps and Guide Books, making it an absolute left again on to L1102 to Claddaghduff. must for visitors to make thethe most of their trip to Connemara. There is also Approaching Claddaghduff, theGreeting Cards and a wide selection of Teenage and Children’syou’ll titles,see Gifts, Stationery, Artist’s Materials, Bookaccessible and Gift Vouchers. Map #64, advert page 14. tidal island of Omey, by car and on foot (but make absolutely sure to check the tide timetable on page 24). Continuing around the Aughrus peninsula to Cleggan, your point of embarkation for Inishbofin island (see ferry timetable on back page).
Bunowen Pier, Aillebrack, Ballyconneely 095 23739
Renvyle & North Connemara Travelling from Clifden, go left at Letterfrack village, and left again at Derryinver before you reach the village of Tullycross. This road loops back towards Tully (a different village further on the same peninsula), passing the remains of Renvyle Castle and views of Ballinakill Bay. From Tullycross, take the coast road to the left of the church towards the spectacular Glassilaun Beach. At the N59, go left for Leenane and the Killary Fjord. Those with time on their hands can loop back to the Galway-Clifden road via the R345, the Maam Valley and Maam Cross.
Photo: Omey Island Strand
Photo: View from Letter Hill / Glassilaun Beach
The Galway Gaeltacht
Corrib Drive
Heading west from Galway City through Salthill, take the R336 (Coast Road) to Barna, Furbo, and Spiddal (An Spideal). Home to Radio na Gaeltachta and television channel TG4, Irish is the day-to-day language in this part of Connemara. Continuing on the coastal route, go left at Screebe on the R340 to Rosmuc (home of Pearse’s Cottage), Kilkerrin, Carna, and then continue left towards Cashel, Roundstone, Ballyconneely and eventually Clifden. This route is significantly longer than travelling directly from Galway to Clifden on the N59, so allow plenty of time for stops and photo ops along the way.
From Galway, take the N59 and head towards the charming towns of Moycullen and Oughterard. At both, you’ll find sideroads that lead off to the right towards Lough Corrib. If coming from Clifden, take a left at the crossroads village of Maam Cross and continue through the haunting Maam Valley until you come to Maam Bridge. A right here on to the R345 will take you past lakeside scenery and on to the Joyce country villages of Cornamona, Clonbur (An Fhairche), and, eventually, Cong. Heading west on the R345, meanwhile, returns you to Connemara via Leenane.
Photo: Cashel Hill
Photo: Lough Na Fooey “Back to reality you say… my dear, we never left”. Page 15
Time to get a taste of Connemara
what's on the menu This is your time to explore the epicurean delights that Connemara has to offer
Where you have a culture of excellent, locally sourced ingredients, you soon encourage gastronomic exponents of all hues who bring with them fresh ideas and dynamism in baking, brewing, smoking, distilling, roasting, etc. This has been the story in Connemara, transforming the region into a place of bounteous variety and quality when it comes to epicurean concerns. Here, we’ve assembled some highlights to get you started.
Connemara Hamper Delicatessen
Bon Apétit!
Locate: Clifden map #38, advert page 17.
Any foodie worth their salt will want to become acquainted with the Connemara Hamper. Small in size but packing a weighty culinary clout, this is a one-stop shop for fine produce (farmhouse cheeses, smoked meats and fish, artisan breads, wine, condiments, confectionary) as well as freshly prepared takeaway lunches. The best of everything from Connemara and beyond,
Bridewell Brewery
Connemara Smokehouse
A big chapter in Connemara’s slow-food revolution has been this craft brewery, Bridewell’s family of draught beers include the crisp Bridewell Blond, the smooth malty Bridewell Red and special limited-edition bottlings, all of which are brewed using Connemara water. What’s more, bars, hotels and supermarkets have embraced these hearty drops. Ask for Bridewell. www.bridewellbrewery.ie
You learn a thing or two about traditional seafood smoking after nearly half a century in the game. This will be apparent during a visit to the Connemara Smokehouse at Ballyconneely’s Bunowen Pier. It’s widely agreed that this family run beechwood Smokeouse produces the best wild and organic smoked salmon in the region, procure their wares online, or select local retailers
Locate: Clifden map #25, advert page 24.
Locate: Connemara map #42, advert page 15.
Brigit’s Garden
Coffee Cottage
We can’t confirm if reconnecting with nature in a resplendent Celtic garden builds up one’s appetite, but if so, Brigit’s Garden is prepared. Placing an emphasis on local producers and quality fare cooked from scratch, its Garden Café is a tranquil gourmet pitstop ideal for breaking up any journey. The menu takes a come-one-come-all approach to vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike.
Along with dramatic scenery and pristine beaches, Roundstone can add Coffee Cottage to its list of wonders. Overlooking the village’s iconic pier and the Twelve Bens, this is a small establishment with big ideas. Besides top-drawer Galway roasted coffee, homemade pastries and sourdough toasties, the smoothie bowls are a cut above, as is its local pantry. Find them @mycoffeecottage.
Locate: Connemara map #26, advert page 9
Locate: Connemara map #35, advert page 19.
The Ballynahinch Estate
Connemara Golf Links Club House
The historic Connemara jewel might boast leaping salmon and log fires but it’s coming to feel as if its gastronomic landscape is the big draw. Blame Head Chef David Bodas, whose influence is writ large across the classy Fisherman’s Pub, the Owenmore Restaurant with its sweeping riverside views, the Garden Café seated within the hotel’s immaculately restored walled vegetable garden.
As one of Ireland’s most majestic links courses, it’s unsurprising that this corner of Ballyconneely has become a destination not only for golfers of all levels, but also beachgoers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Come for the views of Aillebrack beach and the rugged Slyne Head, stay for the bar and restaurant menus, of which extend a warm welcome to member and non-member alike.
Locate: Connemara map #23, advert page 6.
Locate: Connemara map #37, advert page 13.
Page 16. Judging by the amount of ice cream on the ground we can assume it's safe to lick again, but more practice is required.
MANNION'S Bar & Restaurant
Some of the Best Chinese, Malaysian and Thai Food You Will Ever Taste.
Serving Great Locally Sourced Dishes Every Day
Jasmine Garden RESTAURANT & TAKE AWAY
Market St, Clifden See our menu on connemara.net
Market Street, Clifden Tel: 085 216 5982
Open 4:30pm to 10:30pm t: 095 21174
Connemara Sheep & Wool Centre Café
Guy's Bar & Snug
Perched right on the lapping shores of Killary Fjord with its steep mountain walls, this café's high-ceilinged octagon room looks out on to one of the most dramatic views you could ask for while having your coffee and cake. Home baking and decadent treats are a speciality here, but a robust lunch menu also offers up gourmet sandwiches, Killary mussels, and daily specials.
Cosy, tasteful, conducive to good conversation with friends old and new, Guys has been the heartbeat of Clifden’s Main Street for decades. In recent years, Guys has also found itself garnering a reputation for excellent pub grub. Its ovenbaked pizza menu, meanwhile, has become a lifesaver for families fresh in from the beach and seeking a crowd-pleasing takeaway option.
Locate: Connemara map #68, advert page 8.
Locate: Clifden map #46, advert page 7.
E.J. King's Bar & Restaurant
Jasmine Garden Restaurant & Take Away
A Clifden institution and the town’s natural cornerstone – “E.J.’s” has been the venue for weddings, christenings, break-ups, make-ups, you name it. Mostly, however, it is a place for locals and visitors to be amply fed and watered from its renowned à la carte or bar menus. Once that is out of the way, you’ll be well set for a night of creamy pints and live music.
You’d never have called Clifden the ethnic food capital of Europe, but it came a step closer in 2001 with the arrival of this family-run Asian food outfit that is now embedded in Connemara life. Chinese, Malaysian, and Thai food – and all the fragrant, aromatic, delicately spiced splendours they entail – are the order of the day. Eat in or take away, the choice is yours.
Locate: Clifden map #43, advert page 3.
Locate: Clifden map #48, advert page 17.
Food Trucks
Kylemore Abbey Kitchen Café
With its larder of fine produce and network of sublime locations, Connemara was a natural fit for the food-truck revolution that has swept Ireland. The region is now dotted with a diverse array of gourmet outlets run by impassioned foodies for whom the format’s rustic informality has proved empowering. What they are turning out, meanwhile, is among the best food on the West Coast.
You’re probably going to visit Kylemore Abbey, besides stately architecture and Celtic woodlands, the Benedictine nuns are no slouches when it comes to hospitality. Along with its hot menu, the Kylemore Kitchen Café prides itself on homebaking and homemade ice cream, so prepare to loosen the belt. Picnic areas in and around its lush woodlands and Victorian Walled Garden await.
Locate: connemara.net 'Places to Eat'
Locate: Connemara map #49, advert page 2.
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” Virginia Woolf. Page 17
Mitchell's Restaurant
In the Heart of Clifden
WINNER OF BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN IRELAND 2015 & RECOMMENDED BY THE MICHELIN GUIDE
Lunch Menu until 5pm Open Daily 12pm-10pm
Early bird menu available
Serving the Freshest of Fish Landed Daily
Market St, Clifden, Co. Galway Telephone 095-21867
#KeepDiscovering
www.connemara.net
Market Street, Clifden, H71 V272
bar, restaurant, outdoor dining sky sports boutique hotel magnificent sea views
www.woodfieldclifden.ie
The Lamplight Wine Bar & Restaurant
Mitchell's Restaurant
It was only a matter of time before Clifden made a space to celebrate the best wines from around the world. Managing to feel both chic and earthy at once, this friendly, cosily lit wine bar and restaurant is the kind of place that is designed to disappear into. Once seated, a handpicked organic wine menu wedded to some of the best cuisine in the town does the rest.
This 2015 Best Seafood Restaurant in Ireland winner is considered something of a powerhouse when it comes to dining out in Clifden, such is its reputation for consistency and quality. Unsurprisingly, seafood is the star of the show with local fisherman literally bringing fresh boxes of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans to its kitchen door each morning, how on earth could it be otherwise?
Locate: Clifden map #50, advert page 19.
Locate: Clifden map #56, advert page 18.
Mannion's Bar
O'Dowd's Seafood Restaurant, Bar & Café
You can’t move in Clifden for people with the surname Mannion. Whether they all stem from this family-run establishment (now approaching its centenary), no one can say for certain. Best to concentrate on the fine menu that you’re handed on arrival, what with its Connemara lamb to fresh local oysters, Vegans or vegetarians there all taken good care of. Reservations are recommended.
Those on a mission to source the best seafood chowders would do well to journey out to O’Dowd’s. A pillar of Roundstone that dates back to 1840, this is among Connemara’s major seafood landmarks, one made all the more enticing by the promise of a harbourside Guinness afterwards looking out on that view. Food-to-go from its café is a welcome addition to the set-up.
Locate: Clifden map #54, advert page 17.
Locate: Connemara map #60, advert page 19.
Marconi Restaurant at Foyles Hotel
Oliver's Seafood Bar
Family-run and maintaining an age-old charm about it, Foyles Hotel and its Marconi Restaurant have been one of the classiest facades on Main Street for more than a century. Its dining room is adorned with history, culture and character, making it one of the more memorable venues to eat out in the town. Afterwards, live music and nightcaps draw you into Mullarkey’s Bar.
One thing you can be sure of about a seafood restaurant situated right by the dock of a working fishing harbour is that your food hasn’t had to travel far to reach your plate. This and an amiable, lived-in atmosphere are the reasons to stick your head in the door of Oliver’s for refuelling if you find yourself exploring Claddaghduff and the Aughrus peninsula.
Locate: Clifden map #44, advert page 2.
Locate: Connemara map #63, advert page 24.
Page 18. It's a little known fact that if your soup of day is anything but vegetable, your Trip Advisor ratings go up by 50%.
COTTAGE ROUNDSTONE PIER, H91 D9VO
wine bar and merchants Organic Wines Artisan Foods Lunch & Dinner At The Arch, Market Street, Clifden, Co. Galway T: 095 30863 Visit www.thelamplight.ie
LOCALLY ROASTED ARTISAN COFFEE WHOLESOME SOURDOUGH TOASTIES SMOOTHIE BOWLS HOME-BAKED PASTRIES, CAKE & SCONES LOCAL PRODUCE PANTRY, JEWELLERY & GIFTS
@MYCOFFEECOTTAGE FOR MENU & OPENING HOURS
The Olive Tree Kitchen @ Wildlands
The Signal Bar & Restaurant
Moycullen’s hub for adventure activities set out its stall with good food as one of its core principles. Hence the Olive Tree Kitchen, where wholesome grub made from local ingredients – including its on-site vegetable garden – can be enjoyed indoors, or outdoors to a soundtrack of exhilarated zipliners. Freshly baked pastries and a firebrick Neapolitan pizza oven are some of the menu’s talking points.
Aside from its canny repurposing of a key part of Clifden’s built heritage, the Signal Bar in the old Victorian train station deserves applause for how quickly it became a firm favourite in the town landscape. Good quality pub grub has played a part, as has an inviting atmosphere that is as suited to mellow morning coffees as lively evenings on the barstool.
Locate: Connemara map #74, advert page 9.
Locate: Clifden map #33, advert page 12.
The Woodfield Hotel
Standún Cafe
This very recent arrival to Clifden’s community of hotels has made great use of its vantage point overlooking Clifden Bay with a terrace bar and grill as well as an indoor restaurant. A good view alone does not guarantee a happy dining experience, however. That’s why the Woodfield Hotel has come ready-packaged with a sturdy, no-nonsense menu full of traditional favourites done well.
If the good people at Standún put half as much care into their café as they do their legendary family-run clothing and gift department store, you can be sure of a very happy belly by the time you leave Spiddal. Along with hot and cold drinks, there are macaroons, chocolate truffles, homemade cakes, and scones on hand to revive those who tend to shop ‘til they drop.
Locate: Clifden map #75, advert page 18.
Locate: Connemara map #69, advert page 11.
Sands Bar
The Twelve Hotel
Between its white sands and tropical-tinged waters, Mannin Bay has always had a slightly exotic undercurrent, even if the water temperature doesn’t quite chime. Connemara Sands seems aware of this, and brings a sophistication to the spread it offers at its beachside premises that is at once quintessentially Irish while being dynamic. Local produce and seafood are to the fore.
It’s called The Twelve because that’s the mark out of ten it gets from satisfied diners. We’re joking of course, but this gem in the south Connemara village of Barna has made a real name for itself through a combination of its award-winning West restaurant, The Pins Gastro Bar, Pizza Dozzina gourmet deli, and bakery shop. A proper foodie hub in the shape of a boutique hotel.
Locate: Connemara map #41, advert page 3.
Locate: Connemara map #73, advert page 8. Honestly, who needs Paris in the springtime, when you’ve got Connemara anytime. Page 19
Find the perfect gift, or a well-deserved indulgence
what's in store Take time to enjoy Connemara’s wide variety of shopping experiences
All Things Connemara When it comes to getting a real flavour for a place, two wheels always beats four. Based on Market Street, this outfit specialises in getting you in the saddle with its range of regular and electric Trek bikes. All the equipment, accessories, safety gear, and route information you could need is here, as well as servicing, repairs, and complimentary refills for tyre air and water bottles. Whats in store.qxp_Layout
Clifden Bike Shop When it comes to getting a real flavour for a place, two wheels always beats four. Based on Market Street, this outfit specialises in getting you in the saddle with its range of regular trek bikes and electric bikes. All the equipment, accessories, safety gear, and route information you could need is here, as well as servicing, repairs, and complimentary refills for tyre air and water bottles.
Locate: Clifden map #22, advert page 23.
Locate: Clifden map #22, advert page 4 & 13.
Books at One, Letterfrack
Clifden Bookshop
By bringing together books, coffee, and wine, this cosy cultural experience snuggled into a converted former Quaker forge has been one of the great retail stories of Letterfrack. A broad and perfectly balanced range of new releases, classics, children’s, and second-hand titles are available, as well as local artisan food produce such as local honey, chutney, and scented candles.
Dubbed one of Ireland’s best bookshops by the Irish Independent newspaper, Clifden Bookshop has an uncanny ability to have something for every type of reader all in one cosy space. Established in 1997 and run by tireless bibliophiles Máire and Nicole, this is for anyone who loves to lose time browsing shelves of fiction, non-fiction, children/ YA, maps, gifts, stationary, and art materials.
Locate: Connemara map #24, advert page 22.
Locate: Clifden map #28, advert page 15.
Brigit's Garden
Clifden Opticians
A green and serene gift shop that lies outside of Galway City near Rosscahill. The store at Brigit's Garden’s Celtic oasis comprises of local handcrafts and literature, natural skincare and aromatherapy products, artisan foods, and lots of nature-based toys for children. Central to their ethos is the sourcing of ethical products that are manufactured with sustainability and environmentalism in mind.
Ever since 2004, this family-owned opticians has prided itself on the highest levels of personalised service and attention for every single client that crosses its doorway. Behind the scenes, meanwhile, it ensures that not only the leading innovations in optometric care are available but also the latest international styles in eyewear, including Gucci, Prada, Oakley, Maui Jim, and more.
Locate: Connemara map #26, advert page 9.
Locate: Clifden map #29, advert page 12.
Page 20. Saving is spending needlessly postponed.
MORAN'S
Love Vintage
PHARMACY
ANTIHISTAMINES • PRESCRIPTIONS • TOILETRIES INSECT REPELLENT • FIRST AID SUPPLIES Main Street, Clifden Tel 095 21273 Special Offers on Facebook – 'Moran's totalhealth Pharmacy'
New & Vintage Fashion, Books & Jewellery Market Street, Clifden, 085 151 5879 @lovevintageclifden
Coffee Cottage
Connemara Hamper Delicatessen
Sea-salt fudge, local honey, seaweed skincare, jams, chutneys, oils, handmade jewellery, gift hampers, and artwork – if you stroll into Coffee Cottage in search of Galway roasted coffee or its quirky menu of delicious treats, there’s every chance you might just leave with more than you imagined. This pantry of local goodies by the harbour in Roundstone is open daily from 9am.
A foodie landmark of Clifden, one crammed with the best of artisan Irish produce (farmhouse cheeses, smoked meats and fish, artisan breads, wine, condiments, confectionary), excellent takeaway coffee, freshly prepared delicatessen fare, and ready-made meals. Should a minor addiction develop during your stay – a likely outcome – an online shop will deliver to wherever you live.
Locate: Connemara map #35, advert page 19.
Locate: Clifden map #38 page 17.
Connemara Blue Art Glass
Connemara Sheep & Wool Centre
The work of this family of artists has garnered a reputation worldwide for elegant bowls, wall panels, tealight holders, tree decorations, and coasters, all done to its signature playful fusedglass techniques, handcrafted and fired on-site by these masters of the art. If you’re looking for the home of glassmaking in Connemara, look for the bright pink shopfront on Clifden Square.
This family-owned gift shop based in Leenane village by the mighty Killary Fjord celebrates the long and proud heritage of sheep farming in the West. There is something for every budget here, from sheepskin rugs, knitwear and hand-woven blankets to jewellery, books, and gift items. Woolcraft demonstrations run throughout the day as part of the tour, with a great café on site too.
Locate: Clifden map #36, advert page 12.
Locate: Connemara map #68 page 8.
Connemara Golf Links Pro Shop
Connemara Smokehouse
You don’t have to be a golfer to enter the Pro Shop. In fact, those seeking stylish and protective outdoor clothing to help fend off the Connemara weather would do well to investigate its range that includes Footjoy, Ping, Oscar Jacobson, and other leading brands of apparel. Golfers in search of a memento from this world-renowned links course, meanwhile, will be well catered for.
This family-run business has been in the game for almost half a century. In that time, it has mastered the age-old art of smoking fresh salmon, tuna, herring, and mackerel from the Atlantic, going on to become a household name and Ireland’s first Food Économusée. Regular tastings of Smoked Salmon, Peppered Smoked Mackerel, and more are held at its waterside Factory Shop.
Locate: Connemara map #37 page 13.
Locate: Connemara map #42 page 15.
The art of self-gifting takes enormous amounts of practice and self-discipline Page 21
PROVENANCE TOWN & COUNTRY INTERIORS
#KeepDiscovering
LETTERFRACK
O P E N W E D N E S D AY – S AT U R D AY 1 1 - 5
in the Station House Courtyard, Clifden
087 826 9356
info@provenance-interior.ie
Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm & bank holiday weekends
www.connemara.net
www.booksatone.ie eircode: H91 N8PK located behind the GMIT Furniture College
Intersport Gannon's
Love Vintage
Casual walkers, trekkers, sea-swimmers, all the way to team-sports players – if your idea of a good time involves getting up off the couch then Gannon’s is where you should set your coordinates during your stay. Footwear, team jerseys, and fitness accessories are among the huge array of items found in-store and online (gannons.ie), with staff on-hand to help find just what you need.
A real family affair, this, with a mother and her three children all bringing something special to the table as part of a Connemara retail heritage that stretches back a century. Look within to find new and vintage silks, linens, and cashmere in fantastical colours, fab jewellery, quirky faux fur coats, knitwear, and a new in-store children's section. Another option is to shop online at lovevintage.ie.
Locate: Clifden map #45, page 21.
Locate: Clifden map #51, advert page 21.
Kylemore Abbey Craft & Design
Millars Connemara
Almost as famous as the lakeside Abbey itself is this tasteful and extensive gift shop where items handmade by the Benedictine nuns (chocolate, soaps, conserves, pottery) sit alongside the best national and international brands like Barbour and Dubary, Magee and Newbridge Silverware, and the very best in local crafts from around Connemara. Put simply, you might find it rather difficult to leave.
Founded back in 1900 by Robert Millar, Millars is a retail centrepiece of Clifden’s Main Street to the point that it is hard to imagine the place without it. Through its doors, there is a real feeling of tradition and style visibly interweaving, right across its luxuriant ranges of clothing, giftware, accessories, and interiors. On top of this, its staff couldn’t be more helpful.
Locate: Connemara map #49, page 2.
Locate: Clifden map #55, advert page 5.
Lamplight Wine Store
Moran's totalhealth Pharmacy
This recent arrival to Clifden was an instant hit thanks to its friendly wine bar and excellent cuisine. It has also, however, become the town’s unofficial wine hub through its boutique shop and broad selection, from classic French-style wines to small biodynamic Austrian producers. All palates and budgets are accommodated – their online store even has a personal sommelier service.
Don’t be fooled by its small size – more than a century of dispensing cures and remedies has made this another family-run Clifden institution, one that understands the importance of sensitive customer care. Manager Declan Moran MPSI is the third generation to run the pharmacy since 1911, making Moran’s intrinsic to the health and wellbeing of the town and county.
Locate: Clifden map #50, advert page 19.
Locate: Clifden map #58, advert page 21.
Page 22. Strange things occur when we shop. We wander about, rotate objects, nudge people, hum, haw, and sigh as we look into mirrors at the promise of tomorrow. All sense of time and place are lost until we realise how uncomfortable our shoes are and must leave at once.
Fresh cut cheeses & accompaniments prepared in store by Carmel & Deli Team
kavanagh's
SuperValu Real Food, Real People
Freshly prepared Range Ready to cook, no tidy up!
Pick up your items in store everyday
MARKET SQUARE, CLIFDEN UNDERGROUND CARPARK AVAILABLE
O’Dalaigh Family Jewellers
Provenance - Interiors
Johnny and Annie began creating jewellery in 1973 and never looked back. Since then, their son Jonathan has come on board, growing the business into one of the most unique jewellery shops in the country. For gift options for someone special, or simply to stop by to watch jewellery being brought to life in the open-plan workshop, this is worth finding time for.
Town and country are the meeting point for this interior design studio that specialises in fabrics and soft furnishings with an Irish feel. As part of its design service, owners Rosie and Sadhbh work with indigenous materials and Irish craftspeople to help locate just the right tone and feel for a client’s home. Drop into their shop in the Station House Courtyard to say hello.
Locate: Clifden map #61, advert page 7
Locate: Clifden map #65, advert page 22.
Ohh! By Gum
Standún
The Best Boutique in Ireland according to the Irish Times newspaper and a firm favourite with locals and visitors seeking sustainably sourced clothing and gifts for all ages. Stepping inside is akin to a walk-in treasure trove, with brands from all over Europe and UK that promote ethical lifestyle choices. Nestled beside the old Clifden railway station in the Station House Courtyard, it’s open Mon-Sun. Locate: Clifden map #62, advert page 13.
Family-run for three generations, Standún has been ‘The Home of the Aran Sweater’ since 1946, and more recently, The Wall Street Journal voted it Best Quality and Value Aran Sweater. Besides Irish knitwear, clothing, gifts, and jewellery are on display at both their Spiddal and Oughterard outlets. Visitors to its online store (standun.com), meanwhile, can avail of favourable shipping rates. .Locate: Connemara map #69, advert page 11.
Pottery Studio
Supervalu Clifden
Travel north from Clifden on the N59 Westport Road. After 2km, you come to a sign to your right for Alan's Pottery Studio. Pull in and become acquainted with the finest handmade domestic stoneware and ceramics and the man creating them. Courses are also available if you want to try your hand. Visitors to the wheelchair-accessible showroom are welcome from 12pm until 6pm.
The best local produce - Connemara Smokehouse salmon, Bridewell beer, Jimmy's Homemade Ice Cream, you name it - sits proudly alongside more familiar brands in this family-owned supermarket. Every possible base has been covered here - freshly baked breads, a fresh meat and seafood counter, an excellent selection of wines and spirits, takeaway coffee, and a hot counter for food on-the-go.
Locate: Clifden map #20, advert page 9.
Locate: Clifden map #70, advert page 23. Page 23
Shop Online www.allthingsconnemara.ie
Gifts for family & friends Delivered around the world
Shop | Local | Activities | Gifts
Market Street, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway H71 DW67 Call: +353 (0)95 22630
www.allthingsconnemara.ie
a t er W e lu g & Boat Tours
OLIVER’S SEAFOOD BAR
in sh
B F
Locally Sourced Fish and Meat Dishes
i
Amazingly Fresh Local Seafood – Cleggan Fishing Village
Leaving from Cleggan pier Tackle hire available, Groups, Individuals, Experts, Beginners All welcome for a great day out
Call +353 86 277 9622
Cleggan, Co. Galway T: 095 44640
e: oliverscleggan@gmail.com w: oliversonclegganpier.ie
www.seafishingireland.net
useful
information EMERGENCIES DIAL 112 OR 999
+
TAXI SERVICES
BUS EIREANN SCHEDULE
Atlantic Taxi (nights) Clifden 087 433 5955
CLIFDEN TO GALWAY CITY (Route 419)
Atlantic Tours Renvyle 087 260 2717
Departs
Claire's Cab Clifden 083 367 0471
Terminus Bus Depot (Ceannt Station) Galway City
D'Arcy Hackney Oughterard 087 653 0417 Danny Ryan Clifden 086 831 3462
Departures
Ian Prendergast Clifden 089 215 2180
Monday - Saturday: 9am, 1:30pm & 2:40pm
Liam Felton PCR, Oughterard 085 842 9568
Tuesday 9am service is via Leenane
Robert Nee Travel Bus/Coaches 087 759 5538
Wednesday's 9am service is. via Roundstone
Robert's Taxi Clifden 087 416 1796
Friday's 9am service is. via Roundstone & Cashel
Sky Taxi Clifden 095 22299 / 087 666 4048
POLICE STATIONS (GARDA)
Sunday 4:15pm
The Taxi Co Clifden 095 30000 / 085 117 1222
Carna 095 532 242 Clifden 095 22300 Oughterard 091 557 320 Spiddal 091 553 122
EV CHARGING POINTS
CLIFDEN TO WESTPORT (Route 423)
Abbeyglen Castle (ecars)
Terminus Westport Railway Station
Departs
Ballynahinch Castle Connemara map #23 (Tesla)
Monday - Sunday: 7am, 11.25am & 4pm.
Clifden Car Park (ESB) Connemara Brewing Co. (EV CP)
DEPARTING CLEGGAN Monday
11.30am
*2pm
6.45pm
Tuesday
11.30am
*2pm
7.30pm
Wednesday
11.30am
*2pm
6.45pm
Thursday
11.30am
*2pm
6.45pm
Friday
11.30am
*2pm
7.30pm
Saturday
11.30am
*2pm
6.45pm
Sunday
11.30am
*2pm
6.45pm
Monday
8.15am
*1pm
5pm
Tuesday
8.15am
*1pm
5pm
Wednesday
9am
*1pm
5pm
Thursday
9am
*1pm
5pm
Friday
8.15am
*1pm
5pm
Saturday
9am
*1pm
5pm
Sunday
10am
*1pm
5pm
Connemara National Park map #40 (EVBox)
OUGHTERARD TO GALWAY CITY
Dolphin Beach House (ecars)
Departs
Renvyle House Hotel (Tesla)
Terminus Bus Depot (Ceannt Station) Galway City
Rossroe Lodge (ecars)
Monday - Saturday 7:45am, 9:45am, 10:25am,
DOCTORS & HEALTH CLINICS
2:15pm, 3:25pm, 6pm & 9pm Sundays: 12am, 5:40pm, 9pm & 11pm
Clifden Dental Practice 095 227 31 Clifden Hospital 095 213 01
CITYLINK SCHEDULE
Clifden Medical Practice 095 212 24 Clifden Opticians Map #26 095 309 95
CLIFDEN TO GALWAY CITY (Route 923)
Clifden Physiotherapy Clinic 086 389 6130 Doctors Practice Main St. Clifden 095 211 41
Departs
Kilrainey Medical Centre 091 555 348
Terminus Galway Coach Station
Leenane Health Centre 095 422 57
L: Low Water : Full Moon
Clifden Trout and Salmon Anglers Assoc. Stanley's, Market Street, Clifden map #79
L H L H
H L H L
Salmon Fishing State licence www.store.fishinginireland.info All Things Connemara Clifden map #22 allthingsconnemara.ie/freshwater-fishing Page 24. As endings go, this one didn’t go too badly.
Renvyle Health Centre 095 434 65
Clifden to Cleggan (Ferry Drop) via Letterf rack
Roundstone Health Centre 095 35851
Daily 10am, 1.30pm, (not Sat) 5.30pm & 7pm
Spiddal Health Centre 095 553 135
Visit citylink.ie for travel times & fares Tel 091 654 164
THURSDAY 5
02:21 08:30 14:24 20:43
SUNDAY 15
FISHING PERMITS & INFO
Daily: 7am, 9,15am, 12pm, 1.15pm, 3pm, 6.30pm
Oughterard Health Centre 091 553 449
NOTE: Bank holiday Monday first sailing is 10am *Depart Cleggan: 2pm Sailing only in June / July / August / Easter weekends & weekends in May *Depart Inishboffin: 1pm Sailing only in June / July / August / Easter weekends & weekends in May
05:08 11:08 17:30 23:29 WED 25
H L H L
02:13 08:27 14:55 20:54
Clifden Library Bus Stop (Market St.)
Departures
Oughterard Dental Practice 091 866 018
H: High Water
Bus Stop outside the Angler's Bar
Departures
Twelve Hotel Connemara map #73 (ecars)
DEPARTING INISHBOFIN
GALWAY TIDES MAY 5TH - JUNE 3RD
Clifden Library Bus Stop (Market St.)
Departures
Carna GTEIC (Wallbox)
FERRY TO INISHBOFIN ISLAND
Clifden Library Bus Stop (Market St.)
FRIDAY 6
L H L H
02:52 09:11 15:04 21:23
MONDAY 16
H L H
05:49 11:48 18:11
THURSDAY 26
H L H L
03:09 09:17 15:43 21:41
SATURDAY 7
L H L H
03:39 10:01 15:54 22:15
SUNDAY 8
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TUESDAY 17
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00:12 06:33 12:31 18:53
FRIDAY 27
H L H L
03:57 10:00 16:23 22:22
04:43 11:10 17:03 23:24 WED 18
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00:56 07:18 17:19 19:39
SATURDAY 28
H L H L
04:38 10:37 16:59 22:58
MONDAY 9
L H L
06:00 12:35 18:30
THURSDAY 19
L H L H
01:44 08:08 14:04 20:28
SUNDAY 29
H L H L
05:14 11:12 17:33 23:33
TUESDAY 10
H L H L
00:48 07:18 13:51 19:46
FRIDAY 20
L H L H
02:38 09:04 15:00 21:24
MONDAY 30
H L H
05:50 11:46 18:06
WED 11
H L H L
02:00 08:19 14:48 20:42
SATURDAY 21
L H L H
03:40 10:07 16:03 22:27
THURSDAY 12
H L H L
SUNDAY 22
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TUESDAY 31
L H L H
00:07 06:24 12:19 18:39
02:57 09:08 15:33 21:28
04:49 11:21 17:19 23:43 WED 1
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00:42 06:59 12:53 19:13
FRIDAY 13
H L H L
03:44 09:50 16:13 22:09
MONDAY 23
L H L
06:09 12:44 18:43
SATURDAY 14
H L H L
TUESDAY 24
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THURSDAY 2
L H L H
01:17 07:36 13:28 19:48
04:27 10:29 16:52 22:49
01:03 07:24 13:57 19:56 FRIDAY 3
L H L H
01:56 08:14 14:06 20:26
