The Wilds of Connemara

September 2020

*Staycation took place prior to Level 3 restrictions*

Lockdown, did we ever see it coming?

With all of the latest travel restrictions in place it is making us wanderlust junkies a little bit itchy. Far from sandy sun-kissed beaches and rice paddies we currently sit, but these are all necessary measures that we must take as a nation in order to help our society attempt to overcome these trying times!! So, when we can’t leave our county, never mind our country, - staycations are the ultimate way forward!

So back in September we decided to take a 3 night staycation in the beautiful Connemara. It is hard to believe that the gorgeous county of Galway has so many amazing destinations to travel to. When you haven’t even left your own county but end up staring down vast valleys, wandering light catching beaches and hiking some of the most rugged hills and mountains around you wonder why we ever leave the country? We were also blessed with some gorgeous weather which made it all the more appealing. We decided to stay at the bespoke Renvyle house hotel a 4 star establishment which sits right on an amazingly quaint beach in a quiet remote area of Connemara. Only a stones throw to the local villages an towns such as Tully, Letterfrack and the Connemara loop it is the perfect base for your Connemara trip. The hospitality, amenities and arranged activities are perfect for a couple getaway or for families with small children. It is also pet friendly, and did I mention they have a heated outdoor pool?? The rooms boast stunning views and the restaurant will leave you watering at the mouth for more. Praise where praise is due, and we will definitely be back for those morning strolls along the sunkissed beach.

https://www.renvyle.com/

What To Do In The Area?

Apart from the abundance of trails and hikes here are some of the activities that we did during our visit and some of the must see and do’s!

Renvyle Beach

Just a two minute car drive from the Renvyle house hotel is Renvyle beach. I was pleasantly surprised by this beautiful beach. We could have been in the Canary islands with the views! Whether you visit at sunrise or sunset, this beach deserves a moment of your time…and that ocean needs to be walked into. Have you eve been in one of those places where you literally just stop and breath. You feel like you haven’t ben able to breath like that in quite a while, but this place with the waves smashing into the boulders perfectly positioned just clears your mind. And for a minute, - everything is just fine. If you do nothing else but sit on this beach for the weekend, I think you will be pleasantly content with your trip.

Connemara National Park

https://www.connemaranationalpark.ie/

For the more adventurous , - there are 2,000 hectares of bogland and mountainous walks waiting for you in the national park.. the perfect day out! Home to the iconic Diamond hill, (442m) - are you even Irish if you didn’t climb Diamond hill this year? It has seen an abundance of visitors with the travel restrictions placed upon us this year but it is far from crowded. If you plan your day smartly you will have a peaceful hike up and down. We hit the trail just after breakfast and the trails have now been separated with Covid-19 pathways so there is less footfall on the upper hike. Social distancing is required and the one way system appears to be working very well. Give yourself 2 hours to really enjoy the hike and views from the top. We had a spectacular clear day so it was a photographers’ paradise for those few minutes while we caught our breath! You can spot the infamous Kylemore abbey from the top and the rolling boglands ad forestry that lay beneath you. The routes are well mapped out online if you are a super-organised planner (guilty) and there are tea rooms on site for a well deserved cup of tea at the end the walk. It is also child and dog friendly so it is a perfect outing for the whole family, but I would recommend some level of fitness!

Delphi & Doo Lough Valley Drive

A must if the weather is on your side, and even if it isn’t you will still witness some fantastic valley views and scenic picturesque spots for the odd selfie!

Aaeslegh falls

https://guidetoconnemara.com/item/aasleagh-falls/

The free flowing river Erriff is a definite visit. If you are planning a day to Kylemore Abbey I would recommend driving just a little bit beyond the abbey towards Aasleagh falls. The perfect spot for a short walk and a picnic. It is only 19.5km beyond the Abbey so definitely worth a drive after breakfast. You can stop at the beautiful Killary fjord or Leenaun on the way for a coffee and perhaps some boating?

Kylemore Abbey

https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/

An absolute must do if you are in Connemara. This fantastic restored Victorian house and gardens are meticulously kept and maintained. A worth while family visit where you could easily spend 3 or 4 hours on a nice day. Buying your tickets online will shorten your queue time, they start from €11.88 for adults and they even have group family discounts! Your ticket will allow you access to the Abbey itself which has guided and self guided tours daily, the Victorian walled garden (don’t forget to say hello to the pigs!), the NeoGothic Church, the Mausoleum and all of the neighbouring walkways and lakeshore strolls. They offer a free shuttle bus from the abbey to the gardens every 15 minutes and if those clouds are starting to change it is definitely worth utilising this service. The coffee shop and gift shop are the perfect end to a busy day and you are guaranteed to come home with some very Irish gifts that you just couldn’t leave behind. **The Abbey has closed due to the Level 3 restrictions but keep an eye on their website for updates and Covid-19 guidelines.

Eating Out?

Paddy Coynes Pub Tullycross

Absolutely perfect! If you are looking for some real old school Irish hospitality and comforts, then this is perfect for you. Their Covid-19 guidelines are very impressive and the food is just to die for. An absolute must, but booking is required.

https://paddycoynespub.com/