Things to do

---

The Twelve Bens dominate the Connemara sky line and offer fantastic and world class hill walking, you can get more information here. For the less ambitious there are plenty of smaller hills and shorter walking routes. Diamond Hill, Omey Island, Dogs Bay to name a few, more information can be found here.

The shelter of Clifden Bay offers wonderful Dinghy sailing, and there is a sailing club  that offers camps and shorter courses for children during the summer months. click here for the link

The options for fishing in Connemara are extensive. Fly fish for Salmon or Trout on Lough Corrib, Ballyanhinch, Kylemore Lough or one of the many hill loughs. Click here for some ideas. 

There are also plenty sea fishing  options. Shark, Cod, Pollack, Mackerel and even Tuna can be caught. Maybe talk to our neighbour John, click here for his web site.

There are plenty of gorgeous white sandy beaches within easy reach of the house. Perfect for wild swimming, picnics, seal spotting and sea kayaking. The house guide will give specific directions to some of our favourites. Streamstown Bay itself is a long tidal estuary, ideal for kayaking. For some suggestions click here. We are also in easy reach of Cleggan where you can catch a boat to Inishbofin island for more beach joy. 

There are some fantastic surfing spots  on the Connemara coast and you can also get lessons here. 

Brooklawn is a twenty minute drive from the restored gardens of Kylemore Abbey. This six acre garden has been spectacularly restored over the past decades and is one Ireland's leading visitor attractions. Click here for more details.

Also within easy reach are the lovely gardens at Ballynahinch Hotel and fishery. A beautiful place for a peaceful walk by the Salmon river. 

There are many beautiful and varied cycling routes in the area. You can rent bicycles and e-bikes in Clifden here or here . 

Try the Sky Road loop which runs past our house or for a longer route cross the bog road to Roundstone.

A short drive south of Clifden you will find at the village of Ballyconneely you will find the Clifden Golf Club, a championship golf links more details can be found here

Trekking on one of Connemara's famous ponies is a great way to see the coast line. You can ride out with a guide  here.

Our local town is Clifden, the capital of Connemara. You will find everything you need in this pretty town, from supermarkets and fantastic food delis, to Aran woolen jersey shops, and a famously good  independent bookshop. There's a bustling market once a week where you can stock up on freshly caught sea food. In addition there are plenty of excellent restaurants and, of course, pubs with live Irish 'trad' music. What more could you want! 

For more information on Clifden and Connemara visit here.