Abbeyglen Castle
 

We are going to be in Ireland in May 2011 and would like to hear from anyone who has stayed at The Abbeyglen Castle in Clifden in County Mayo. Any and all info would be appreciated. Our plan is to stay for 3 nights in that area to hike and bike in Connemara and then head south.

Abbeyglen is a great place to stay. It's a little bit quirky but in a really good way!! There is a great atmosphere and the staff are fantastic. Some aspects of the accommodation could do with a little updating but it's a castle so it's only to be expected. They have some great rooms with four poster beds. The guys who run it are very hands on and you will see them when you check in, again in the restaurant at dinner and later one of them could be playing the piano in the bar where there is a every chance that there could be an impromptu sing song. It's slightly outside Clifden ( which is actually in Co. Galway just next to Mayo- which is beautiful also and totaly unspoilt) but a few minutes walk will have you in the thick of things in Clifden. I reckon it will be a great base for you. We went there for a weekend for a family occasion and we just loved it. We have been back once since and hope to go again soon. Enjoy!!!

Cailin,thanks so much. I have read nothing but nice things. In order to get to out-of-the-way places when we want to go,we will probably need to rent a car while we're there. I have read that Dan Dooley's is the better deal but it still sounds terribly expensive... over $1,000 for 15 days and that doesn't even include insurance. Plus gas at over $8.00 a gallon. How do people afford this?

Ditto CailinDeas: Great place to stay. SUPERB breakfast and dinner. Have you checked web site? They often have special 2/3 night deals.
It's a fabulous area for biking/hiking. If you were lucky with the weather you could bike rather than rent a car. And as to how people afford the gas --- we grin and bear it! (and drive very small cars).

You also might like to check Renvyle House Hotel (also a great biking/hiking area)

Couldn't resist checking! 3 nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast mid week low season 199 Euro per person. Amazing. Think I'll go myself.

Tenaya, thank you very much.

I also really like Ballynahinch Castle which isn't too far from Abbeyglen Castle and has absolutely gorgeous grounds and river on the property for fishing. Rooms, service, food is superb.