- Blaiseadh Gaeltacht - A taste of Irish Culture:
Bíonn siúlach scéalach -travellers have tales to tell!
Tá muid suite sa Gaeltacht anseo -we are located in the Gaeltacht (irish speaking)area of Connemara.
Beidh muid an sásta Gaeilge a labhairt leat. We will be happy to speak Irish with your or teach you a few words of the language so that you can experience a language which dates back 1000's of years. The culture sport, song, music , sport , heritage of Ireland is inertwined with the language, and we will be happy to show you where you can experience it. As you travel around many of the place names have their roots in the Irish language.
Tá a lán rudaí ceangailte le dúchas na hÉireann mar shampla ceol, amhráin, spórt, teanga, damhsa, litríocht, stair agus seo iad na rudaí a bhfuil suim ag daoine foghlaim faoi. Is teanga í an ghaeilge a bhfuil a háit féin aici i gcultúr agus stair na hÉireann. Is cuid dár n-oidhreacht í.
Here are a few phrases to get you started! Bain triail as -try it out!
Hello there – Dia duit -Dee ya gw-itch
Welcome – Fáilte romhat ( fall-cha rowth)
How are you? – Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? | Kayn kwh-ee a will two?
I’m doing well -Tá mé go maith | Thaw may guh mahAny news? -Aon scéal? | Ain shcale?
What’s your name? Cad is anim duit? (cod is anim ditch)
Thank you – Go raibh maith agat (guh rev mah agut)You’re welcome – Tá failte romhat (thaw foil-cha rowth)
- Complimentary Admission to Heritage Centre -but only if you stay with us!:
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.
- Down on the Farm -Ar an bhfeirm:
Dan O' Hara Farmhouse B&B is part of an agritourism business. Staying with us you can learn about farming in the past through our audio visual on the history of Connemara and the story of the broken hearted 19th century farmer Dan O' Hara. Visit the 19th Century Farmhouse of Dan O' Hara which has been restored on the farm.
History & Heritage /Oidhreacht & Stair
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Re-constructions of Crannog, Ringfort & Clochaun
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Neolithic Site Multi lingual Audio visual on the history of Connemara
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History Room with Display Boards, Posters and other memoribilia. On display are Artefacts of a bygone era- farming equipment collected by the farmily through the years
The Farm -An Feirm
A traditional Connemara hill farm with cattle,sheep donkeys and Connemara Ponies. The chickens love to get fed. Spot the Dog is always happy to act as a tour guide and Polly the Cat loves attention from guests big & small. The Breathnach/Walsh Farmily have been farming here for generations and diversified into agri-tourism in the early 90's. They are happy to share their experiences with groups interested in learning about history, farming, rural development or tourism.
The Farmer aka The Connemara History Man -An Feirmeoir /An Seanchaí
The present day farmer Martin Walsh & his wife Nora are happy to share the history, heritage & culture of the area. We do demonstrations of turf cutting, breadmaking, sheep herding, sheep shearing, thatching as part of two or three night packages depending on the season. Guest sometimes have the chance to take part in the activities so if you are interested in a hands on experience let us know!
- Fishy Tales -let's hope they don't get away -Iascaireacht:
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.
- Golfing on the edge of Europe:
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.
- Horseriding & The Connemara Pony -Capailliní Chonamara:
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 Museum or at the Connemara Pony Breeders Society office in clifden.
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 appropriate 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
- Visitor Centres & Things To Do:
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
Leenane Sheep & Wool Centre Leenane
Ocean & Country Visitor Centre Renvyle
Pearse's Cottage Rosmuc
Roundstone Music & Craft Shop Roundstone
Spiddal Craft Centre Spiddal
- Walking in the West -Siúlóidí san Iarthar:
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.