Guidebook for Connemara

Dennis
Guidebook for Connemara

Food Scene

Can be recommended both for (bar-)food and drinks! If you wish to have a proper meal you might wish to book a table in advance, but that’s usually not a must (Tel. 094 9546175, www.burkes-clonbur.com).
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John J. Burke's Bar & Restaurant , Tí Bhúrca, Clonbur. Co Galway
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Can be recommended both for (bar-)food and drinks! If you wish to have a proper meal you might wish to book a table in advance, but that’s usually not a must (Tel. 094 9546175, www.burkes-clonbur.com).
This 5*-hotel offers excellent international and local cuisine. Do try for a special lunch or night out. Make sure to reserve before (094-9545351 direct line of the banqueting coordinator or 094 46003 for Ashford’s general line).
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Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle Drive
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This 5*-hotel offers excellent international and local cuisine. Do try for a special lunch or night out. Make sure to reserve before (094-9545351 direct line of the banqueting coordinator or 094 46003 for Ashford’s general line).

Sightseeing

Ashford Castle, a luxurious 5-star hotel in Ireland has a wide selection of activities perfectly suited to family breaks and romantic trips. Bookable activities on the castle's grounds include a falconry (www.falconry.ie) offering hawk walks in Ashford (60 mins), boat and fishing tours, as well as horseback riding.
Ashford Castle Drive
Ashford Castle Drive
Ashford Castle, a luxurious 5-star hotel in Ireland has a wide selection of activities perfectly suited to family breaks and romantic trips. Bookable activities on the castle's grounds include a falconry (www.falconry.ie) offering hawk walks in Ashford (60 mins), boat and fishing tours, as well as horseback riding.
This beautifully located Abbey is Ireland’s oldest Abbey of Benedictine nuns. It was founded in 1665 and – after several moves – is located in the abbey since 1920. The Castle itself was built in 1871 – do check out the history of its founder – very interesting! If you are there make sure to also visit the castle’s walled gardens (incl. a nice café) – a touristic highlight in the region. Tickets can be purchased online (www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie, slightly discounted) or at the gate.
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Kylemore Abbey
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This beautifully located Abbey is Ireland’s oldest Abbey of Benedictine nuns. It was founded in 1665 and – after several moves – is located in the abbey since 1920. The Castle itself was built in 1871 – do check out the history of its founder – very interesting! If you are there make sure to also visit the castle’s walled gardens (incl. a nice café) – a touristic highlight in the region. Tickets can be purchased online (www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie, slightly discounted) or at the gate.
In nearby Oughterrard (approx. 30 mins by car) Ireland’s first historical show mine has recently opened, the Glengowla Mines. Up until the 19th century local miners dug for tin and silver. The current museum offers regular 20minutes’ tours through the mine; there is a visitor’s centre and a gem shop. Opening hours are 10am-6pm March-November, other dates upon request, in these cases please call 091-552360/552021 or mail to glengowlamines@eircom.net.
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Glengowla mines
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In nearby Oughterrard (approx. 30 mins by car) Ireland’s first historical show mine has recently opened, the Glengowla Mines. Up until the 19th century local miners dug for tin and silver. The current museum offers regular 20minutes’ tours through the mine; there is a visitor’s centre and a gem shop. Opening hours are 10am-6pm March-November, other dates upon request, in these cases please call 091-552360/552021 or mail to glengowlamines@eircom.net.

Parks & Nature

This close-by national park offers excellent hiking opportunities that can be thoroughly recommend! The park’s website www.connemaranationalpark.ie offers downloadable pdf-maps in several languages. The park’s visitor’s center remains closed during winter.
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Parco Nazionale di Connemara
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This close-by national park offers excellent hiking opportunities that can be thoroughly recommend! The park’s website www.connemaranationalpark.ie offers downloadable pdf-maps in several languages. The park’s visitor’s center remains closed during winter.
Drive down to Clonbur, leave the village in the direction of Finney, then, a while after leaving Clonbur, take a right to Tourmakeady. After leaving T. take a left after a small factory/workshop into the forest (Signposted Coillte and Waterfall). After another 1km park the car at a small car park in the forest and walk to the waterfall – it’s worth it!
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Tourmakeady Waterfall
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Drive down to Clonbur, leave the village in the direction of Finney, then, a while after leaving Clonbur, take a right to Tourmakeady. After leaving T. take a left after a small factory/workshop into the forest (Signposted Coillte and Waterfall). After another 1km park the car at a small car park in the forest and walk to the waterfall – it’s worth it!
The Arans are a small group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, West of Galway. Their 1200 permanent inhabitants have preserved the pristine feel of the islands; their stone walls and ancient ruins. Inishmore, the main island, offers the characteristic medieval beehive houses as well as the bronze age fort of Dun Aengus right on the Atlantic coast – a memorable sight! The islands can be reached by ferry from Galway City as well as Rossaveal in Connemara and Doolin (Co. Clare). Moreover, Aer Arann offers regular flights from Connemara Airport. More general information about the islands under www.aranislands.ie.
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Aran Islands
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The Arans are a small group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, West of Galway. Their 1200 permanent inhabitants have preserved the pristine feel of the islands; their stone walls and ancient ruins. Inishmore, the main island, offers the characteristic medieval beehive houses as well as the bronze age fort of Dun Aengus right on the Atlantic coast – a memorable sight! The islands can be reached by ferry from Galway City as well as Rossaveal in Connemara and Doolin (Co. Clare). Moreover, Aer Arann offers regular flights from Connemara Airport. More general information about the islands under www.aranislands.ie.
This karst landscape to the South of Galway was formed during the last ice age and is well worth a visit and a good hike. Hobby botanists and biologists, as well as archaeologists will particularly like it here: the area (more than 250 km2) boasts a unique flora and fauna as well as more than 500 heritage sites ranging from medieval cloister ruins to Stone Age religious burial grounds. More information on line under www.burrennationalpark.ie. You can also combine your visit of the Burren with a trip to the world-famous Cliffs of Moher (www.cliffsofmoher.ie).
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Scogliere di Moher
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This karst landscape to the South of Galway was formed during the last ice age and is well worth a visit and a good hike. Hobby botanists and biologists, as well as archaeologists will particularly like it here: the area (more than 250 km2) boasts a unique flora and fauna as well as more than 500 heritage sites ranging from medieval cloister ruins to Stone Age religious burial grounds. More information on line under www.burrennationalpark.ie. You can also combine your visit of the Burren with a trip to the world-famous Cliffs of Moher (www.cliffsofmoher.ie).
An approx. 45 km’s drive alongside the Upper Mask area, Lough Nafoey, mountain ranges, rhododendron and fuchsia hedges. You can make a mid-way stop at a local craft shop. One, but not the only one, is located right after the junction that leads to “Maam” after passing Lough Nafoey and the mountain area. It has seen better days but it might still be worth stopping for a tea.
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Lough Nafooey
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An approx. 45 km’s drive alongside the Upper Mask area, Lough Nafoey, mountain ranges, rhododendron and fuchsia hedges. You can make a mid-way stop at a local craft shop. One, but not the only one, is located right after the junction that leads to “Maam” after passing Lough Nafoey and the mountain area. It has seen better days but it might still be worth stopping for a tea.

Arts & Culture

Cong’s small main road boasts two art galleries that are well worth the visit. First, there is the slightly more pricey “Cong Art Gallery“ (www.congartgallery.com; opening hours: Mar-Dec: Tue-Sat 11am-5pm; June-Aug: Tue-Sun 11am-5pm; Jan-Feb upon request, pls call 086 3583468 –the gallery offers global shipping of its art work) – literally on the other side of the road, 10m down, is a small, more modern and slightly more alternative gallery, the „Quiet Cailín Studios“ (www.thequietcailinstudios.com; a homage to the 1952 John Wayne movie “The Quiet Man” that was partially filmed in Cong and that won one Academy Award – you might not have heard about this movie – in the Cong area, it is still
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Cong
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Cong’s small main road boasts two art galleries that are well worth the visit. First, there is the slightly more pricey “Cong Art Gallery“ (www.congartgallery.com; opening hours: Mar-Dec: Tue-Sat 11am-5pm; June-Aug: Tue-Sun 11am-5pm; Jan-Feb upon request, pls call 086 3583468 –the gallery offers global shipping of its art work) – literally on the other side of the road, 10m down, is a small, more modern and slightly more alternative gallery, the „Quiet Cailín Studios“ (www.thequietcailinstudios.com; a homage to the 1952 John Wayne movie “The Quiet Man” that was partially filmed in Cong and that won one Academy Award – you might not have heard about this movie – in the Cong area, it is still

Shopping

Western Ireland’s regional capital boats a beautiful shopping street, as well as most local and international food and drinks. Look around, you won’t be disappointed! A selection of a few excellent eateries are: Kai Café and Restaurant (www.kaicaferestaurant.com), the Aniar Restaurant – awarded with a Michelin star both in 2012 and 2013 – here you can have excellent meals and also book cooking classes (53 Lower Dominick St, Galway City, Tel: 091 535 947, food@aniarrestaurant.ie). We can also recommend The Kitchen Café and Restaurant inside the Galway City Museum (open daily until 5/5.30pm), which offers snacks, small meals and Italian coffee right next to Galways well-known Spanish Arch.
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Galway
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Western Ireland’s regional capital boats a beautiful shopping street, as well as most local and international food and drinks. Look around, you won’t be disappointed! A selection of a few excellent eateries are: Kai Café and Restaurant (www.kaicaferestaurant.com), the Aniar Restaurant – awarded with a Michelin star both in 2012 and 2013 – here you can have excellent meals and also book cooking classes (53 Lower Dominick St, Galway City, Tel: 091 535 947, food@aniarrestaurant.ie). We can also recommend The Kitchen Café and Restaurant inside the Galway City Museum (open daily until 5/5.30pm), which offers snacks, small meals and Italian coffee right next to Galways well-known Spanish Arch.

Getting Around

Bikes can be hired at the Spar/gas station in Cong. Another good option is the “Ashford Equestrian Center” (see section “Horseback Riding). Renting fees are 15/10€ per day for adults/kids. This centre also offers guided day trips and mountain-biking tours and lessons. Fees and online-booking options can be found here www.ashfordequestrian.com/index.php/de/adventure-activities/bike-hiretours-mayo-galway or simply call up the Center.
Spar
Bikes can be hired at the Spar/gas station in Cong. Another good option is the “Ashford Equestrian Center” (see section “Horseback Riding). Renting fees are 15/10€ per day for adults/kids. This centre also offers guided day trips and mountain-biking tours and lessons. Fees and online-booking options can be found here www.ashfordequestrian.com/index.php/de/adventure-activities/bike-hiretours-mayo-galway or simply call up the Center.

Entertainment & Activities

One of the closest, reasonably priced golf clubs is the Ballinrobe Golf course (www.ballinrobegolfclub.com). Opening hours are 9am till dusk. It has full bar & restaurant available, as well as a pro shop, buggies and trolleys and a 12 bay floodlit driving range. Green fees are: February 1st - September 30th: Monday -Thursday €20, open Fridays €20, Saturday €30, Sunday Single Green Fee €35 (Subject to availability – make sure to reserve in advance, tel: 094-954 1118).
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Ballinrobe Golf Club
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One of the closest, reasonably priced golf clubs is the Ballinrobe Golf course (www.ballinrobegolfclub.com). Opening hours are 9am till dusk. It has full bar & restaurant available, as well as a pro shop, buggies and trolleys and a 12 bay floodlit driving range. Green fees are: February 1st - September 30th: Monday -Thursday €20, open Fridays €20, Saturday €30, Sunday Single Green Fee €35 (Subject to availability – make sure to reserve in advance, tel: 094-954 1118).
A few minutes after driving out of Clonbur in the direction of Finney there is the “Petersburgh Outdoor Education Center” (www.petersburg.ie; Email: info@petersburg.ie, Tel.: 094 954 6483). The Center offers a wide range of courses for adults and kids. You will find - among others -“kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, gorgewalking, caving, raftbuilding, hillwalking, orienteering, rock-climbing, and abseiling” – thoroughly recommended!
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Petersburg Outdoor Education Centre
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A few minutes after driving out of Clonbur in the direction of Finney there is the “Petersburgh Outdoor Education Center” (www.petersburg.ie; Email: info@petersburg.ie, Tel.: 094 954 6483). The Center offers a wide range of courses for adults and kids. You will find - among others -“kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, gorgewalking, caving, raftbuilding, hillwalking, orienteering, rock-climbing, and abseiling” – thoroughly recommended!