Connemara is a region located on the coastal areas of Co. Galway, Western Ireland. It's praised for its natural beauty with its vast stretch of mountains, lakes and tiny fishing towns - to its preservation of traditional Irish culture and Gaelic language (native- Irish speakers). Below, I've listed 4 beautiful places to visit during your stay.
1. Roundstown Village
The picturesque little fishing-village of Roundstown, with a population of about 60 people and just a handful of pubs and cafes, it's one of the most popular towns in the Connemara region. This little village attracts thousands of tourists every summer making a stop off travelling the Wild Atlantic Way - a national coastal touring route - for a cup of tea and a homemade fruit scone.
The local's own all of the pubs, cafes and hotels here which gives the village a really warm welcoming feel. The village is also totally isolated from the outside world which is kind of relaxing, it's almost like going on a retreat, you won't even find things such as an bank ATM here, you'll have to travel 30 minutes to the nearly town.
2. Gurteen Bay and Dogs Bay
Take a trip up south of the village, perhaps a 10 minute drive and you will find Gurteen Bay and Dogs Bay. Lying back-to-back, these two beaches 'form a Tombolo', projecting out into the Atlantic Ocean and are named as two of the finest beaches in Ireland. With nothing but the cleanest white sands for miles and crystal clear blue waters, you will feel like you're standing on a beach in the Caribbean.
3. Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is a restored Irish country house now serving as one of Ireland's finest hotel's sitting on 800 acres of Woodland. It was famously owned by Indian Prince Ranjitianhji, also known as Ranji, Prince of Cricketers. Ranji bought the castle when he visited Connemara in the 1920's and fell in love with it's beauty. He was responsible for the landscaping of the Hotel gardens and forestry before passing away. You can take the 6km walk around the estate along the lakeside which is absolutely breathtaking, before popping into the hotel for a scrumptious bite to eat.
4. The Point Pony Trekking & Horse Riding Centre in Ballyconneely
If you have a love for horse riding, you can do this here at The Horse Riding Centre in Ballyconneely, but this is not your regular kind of horse riding. Accompanied by staff, you can take a trip out to the beautiful sandy beaches of Ballyconneely whilst on horseback. You can choose the duration of the session and the staff are patient with beginners so you won't have to worry about your horse riding skills too much. This unique and memorable experience will leave you speechless.
