Things To Do
Connemara West of Ireland
Connemara is a paradise for many outdoor activities from fishing and cycling to beaches and boat tours, you can walk, hike, bike, paint, read, bird watch, golf and more… We have summarized below many of the options available to you while you stay at the Anglers Return and explore the West of Ireland.
FISHING
Stay at Anglers Return to experience world-class brown trout and salmon fishing in Connemara. Whether you’re after native brown trout, sea trout, or Atlantic salmon, Connemara has it all and Anglers Return is the perfect base for your fishing adventure.
WALKING/HIKING:
Experience the natural beauty of Connemara, a paradise for walkers with a variety of landscapes all within a short drive of the house. We recommend a trek through the Roundstone Bog, where you may spot rare plants and animals such as orchids, merlins, and otters.
CYCLING
Experience the charming villages, breathtaking beaches, and winding byways of Connemara on a bicycle! Take in the sights and sounds at a leisurely pace while getting some exercise. Bicycles are available for hire in Roundstone, and Clifden, so you can easily explore this beautiful region
GOLF
Come play on the challenging and beautiful Connemara Championship Golf Links, a classic 27-hole course just 20 minutes from the lodge. Clubs, carts, and buggies for hire.
PONY TREKKING
Wandering wild in the open fields and beaches are Connemara ponies, whose ancestry is said to include stallions that swam ashore from wrecked Spanish Armada galleons.
ISLAND TOURS:
Connemara is situated in the west of Ireland and has a reputation for being one of the most scenic spots on earth. It’s a place where you can explore Ireland’s rugged coastline, visit ancient castles, and discover Connemara’s
Dining&Beaches
Connemara is home to several good places to dine, drink and take in some good, traditional Irish music.
BEACHES
Nearby Gorteen Beach and Dogs Bay are two of Connemara’s finest white sand beaches, formed from the tiny shells of sea-dwelling Foraminifera, not rock as is the case with most beaches. With beautiful, rugged surroundings, they offer unsurpassed walking, beachcombing and bathing opportunities. Windsurfing is very popular on Gorteen Beach.
Roundstone&Ballynahinch
(7KM, 7 MINUTE'S DRIVE)
Ballynahinch Castle
Whether you enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner in their rustic pub, or an elegant dinner in the famous Owenmore Restaurant, any meal at the historic Ballynahinch Castle will be the culinary highlight of your visit to Connemara.
Cashel House Hotel
This elegant, secluded country house serves lunch, afternoon tea and gourmet dinners featuring fresh local seafood, quail, venison, lamb and beef – and complimented by fresh vegetables from their organic gardens.
Vaughan's Restaurant at Roundstone Hotel
A casual pub with a separate cosy calm dining room, Vaughan’s family-run & owned Roundstone House Hotel offer a top quality extensive and generous menu. Their outdoor eating area and all window tables have a panaoramic view of the bay. Booking advised.
Beola Restaurant
Located next to Eldon’s Hotel, the Beola offers fine dining with a wide selection of local seafood.
O'Dowd's Sea Food Restaurant & Bar
Run by the O’Dowd family for five generations, this friendly pub overlooks the harbor and serves “pub grub” daily.
Roundstone Cafe
Operated by the O’Dowd family, and right next door to their restaurant and bar, the café serves light fare: pizzas, soups, sandwiches, rolls, and stews, which are also available for take away.
Clifden
(15KM, 20 MINUTE DRIVE)
The Marconi Restaurant
The Marconi Restaurant is a fully-licensed restaurant personally supervised by the owners, offering a wide gourmet menu based on the finest local produce, with fresh seafood and Connemara lamb a speciality, all at affordable prices.
Mitchel's
Wonderful, family-run restaurant offers you the freshest catch landed daily in the heart of Connemara. Housed in a turn of the century building with an emphasis on stone and wood, this restaurant has two floors with open fires on both, which offers a cosy feel and an ambiance that enhances any dining experience. Delicious!
Clifden Station House
A tastefully restored railway station house with evening meals specializing in local lamb and seafood. Live entertainment in the bar every weekend.
Mannion's Bar
This popular pub serves food daily and has won awards for its authentic atmosphere and traditional Irish music.
Lowry's Bar
A true, traditional Irish pub, with great pub food, traditional atmosphere and excellent traditional Irish music sessions.
Guy's Bar
Lovely open turf fires, ‘snugs’ and cozy alcoves in which to dine, great atmosphere and great bar menu. Guy’s pizzas a speciality!
Discover the anglers return
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