The bed and breakfast is part of the award winning Connemara Heritage & History Centre set up as an agri tourism venture.  Guests staying with us have complimentary access to our 20 minute audio visual on the history of the area and to our history and artefacts room. In the garden to the front of the house there is reconstructions of a crannog(fortified lake dwelling), ringfort and a clochaun showing life in past times.  A short walk uphill leads to the prefamine cottage of Dan O' Hara. His story illustrates life in Connemara coming up to the famine.  The cottage with it's turf fire burning transports the visitor back in time. From the hilltop there is a view of the Roundstone Bog and the Twelve Bens.

From short walks through the heritage garden to visit to the crannog to a more strenuous uphill walk there are a number of walks through the farm. We are located close to Ben Lettery and the Twelve Bens for those who like a bit more of a challenge. We have a number of books, guides and maps available to guests.  Why not get out and breathe in the fresh Connemara air!

Packed lunches on request and we also have a drying room available.

Clifden is the home of the Connemara Pony -Ireland's native breed famed for it's hardiness and it's agility.This combined with their willing temperment makes them ideal for driving,eventing and endurance. Traditionally the ponys were used for work on the farm but today they are very valuable there are Connemara Ponys sold to buyers all over the world. Martin keeps Ponys on the farm and we love to see the baby foals arrive.  

In August the internationally renowned pony show takes place and combined  with of number of pony sales throughout the year this means the pony remains to the forefront in Connemara.

If you want to learn more about the Connemara Pony then there is info here at the b&b. There is also  a very interesting display at the Stationhouse Muesum or at the Connemara Pony Breeders Society  office in clifden. http://www.cpbs.ie/

If you fancy trekking through the mountains or galloping along the beach on one of these surefooted animals then there are a number of equestrian centres providing 1 hour 2 hour or even half day trekking adventures within easy reach of the B&B. Just let us know what type of trek you are interested in and we will suggest the appropiate centre for you - sometimes we may even be able to get you a discount!

AIRE approved Riding Centre close by include

Cleggan Beach Equestrian Centre

Errislannan Connemara Pony Stud & Riding Centre

The Point Trekking Centre

There is an  Eddie Hackett designed golf course about 15 mins drive from us. This links course bordered by the Atlantic on the East and South and to the West the Twelve Ben & Maam Turk mountains  is a challenging course in spectacular surroundings . Other courses within an hour's drive or less include Oughterard, Bearna, Westport , Galway Bay or Glenlo Abbey. 

Connemara is bounded  by water on the Atlantic Coast and inland by Lough Corrib and dotted with hundreds of lakes. Since Fionn captured the Salmon of knowlege salmon has been prized in Ireland.  From the first settler to first  tourists to this area catching a salmon is a prized ambition.  This area has been famous for trout and salmon fishing for years.

Sea -angling is very popular in Connemara with a number of providers offering fishing trips. With up to 27 different varieties of fish you may never need to boast about the one that got away. The long rocky rugged coastline offers the opportunity to fish from the shore and we have our own 'expert' here who's favourite pastime is fishing along the coast. Fishy tales abound when he arrives home with ray, mackerel or pollock without setting foot off dry land!!  If we ask him nicely he might share his secrets.

There are numerous visitor centres in or around Galway and those listed below are all within 40 minutes drive of the Bed & Breakfast. We can help you plan your stay with us to make the most of your time in Connemara. 

Aughanure Castle Oughterard

Brigids Garden Roscahill

Connemara Smokehouse Ballyconneelly

Glengowla Mines Oughterard

Kylemore Abbey  Kylemore

Leenane Sheep & Wool Centre Leenane

Ocean & Country Visitor Centre Renvyle

Pearse's Cottage Rosmuc

Roundstone Music & Craft Shop Roundstone

Spiddal Craft Centre Spiddal

April: Cuirt Poetry & Literature Festival, Galway City

May: Connemara Bog Week at Letterfrack

June: Siamsa Seisiun, Galway City Roundstone Arts Week Salthill Airshow

July: Galway Arts Festival An tSuca Fiain, Ballinasloe

August: Cruinniu na mBad (Gathering of the Boats) – Kinvara Connemara Pony Show Galway Race Week at Ballybrit

September: Galway & Clarinbridge Oyster Festivals Clifden Arts Week

October: Ballinasloe October Fair & Festival

Dun Aengus – ancient fort on a 300ft cliff face on Inishmore island

Aran Islands – all of them, if you have the time!

Connemara Safari – walking tour round Connemara and the islands

Kylemore Abbey – near Letterfrack

Dunguaire Castle – in Kinvara