Holldoll

As I'm staying there again in November, I just checked out their website for what deals they might have coming up. To whomever might be interested--they are offering for end of September through October (and probably beyond) midweek only--FOUR nights lodging, breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner (which is an excellent dinner) for 199 Euros per person. I love the place and think that is a great price for anyone who may be able to take advantage of it.

SiobhanP

wow is that dinner every night? we got a bank holiday weekend deal there last year for that price. I am so glad you like it. We try to go at least once a year there for a weekend. Its a really unique place sometimes shabby Chic and some parts totally OTT. You have to stay one Fri or sat for the craic in the bar. We won a bottle of CVhampagne in the "dancing" competition, winning is a loose definition more like worst/comic dancers. It was such a great night.

aggiegirl

I was in Clifden in June and the hotel was in scaffolding. Hopefully they'll be done with whatever they are doing before you get there because it was not attractive at all and it probably wasn't restful either with the sounds of contruction.

SiobhanP

The scaffolding is just a section on the outside they are slowly renovating beacsue the cost for an old building like that is extortionate. He told me they were doing 5-6 rooms on the top fl;oor...possibly they were adding them ti the tiop. Its still a great place.

Holldoll

Siobhan: Hey, wow, we will be there for a Friday this time. We're staying Nov. 17, 18 and 19! I'm going with a girlfriend, so we won't be winning any dance contests!! But we certainly will spend time in the bar. Last time we never even went anywhere in Clifden. Is there a pub or anywhere you recommend? Because last time once we returned from our daytime travels, we never left the place. Also, as long as I have your attention, are there any special places in that area you can recommend. We'll have three days there. We've already done Kylemore, the Connemara Nat'l Park, Leenane, etc., so I thought Roundstone and ? Suggestions are welcome! Thanks much!

SiobhanP

Hi Holldoll. Sit at the Piano as you will end up chatting to a lot of people. Avaoid the 2 sleazy local guys..they were trying to pick up the daughter of the guy next to us and gave up on me when they saw my other hald. Sad country bachelors putting on the charm for the tourists!

Its a quieter time or year so it may not be thet busy on the weekends but the local wqill still be out. If you go to the Village from the abbeyglen you hit the centre with a V (Road on each side. To the left on the corner is a busy bar with music most nights and they do ok pub food. Further down this street on the left is a bar with a sign that has a rugby player on it. There is a pool room in the back and a bar in the front. STay in the front and have a few drinks. We spent the night watching the Rose of Tralee having a laugh with the bartender.

If you take the road to the right ther is a restauirant and later on a disco called Nimmos (they name may change due to a lawsuit from another place in Galway) The food is good if not a little pricey and there is a late bar and disco dowenstaurs.

The Station House hotel also has a large bar but we tend to avoid it on Holiday weekends as its pretty full of families with kids and got a bit loud. It should be quieter and more grownups when you go. They also have a restaurant there.

Do go to roundstone but it will really only take 1/2 a day. It's a tiny willage with a few hotels/restaurants and a craft centre and Bodgran maker at the end in a craft type centre. There is some nice pottery in the village but its not cheap.


Go for a walk around ballinahinch castle in the grounds. It is stunning and if the leaves are turning it will be beautiful. Its a quiet peaceful place. We usually bring our bikes up here and cycle around.

You could always go to Westport from a day. Its really beautiful and recently won a tidy towns award. You can drive to Clew Bay outside Westport and stop in the Tower pub and have soup or a pint outside. Otherwise there is some nice shopping in the village and Westport house is an old mansion house that is open to the public. Its a place families go on the weekends. I am at a loss as you have done most things in this area....how about some horseback riding on the beach?!

Holldoll

SiobhanP: Thanks for those tips about Clifden town. And Roundstone. Can you believe it--we also have already gone horseback riding on the beach--at Cleggan last March! It was great fun. Anyway, can you also believe we have not gone out on the Sky Road, which we now intend to do! I guess you're right--we've done lots, but loved the area and wantd to return. We did go to Westport also. This time on our way back (we're going to stay at the Old Ground in Ennis and my friend from Dublin is joining us there), we want to go through Cong and that area. You've been a big help. We're two women in our 50s--hope we're not out of place in the pubs!! But then, I've never found a pub I didn't like!!

SiobhanP

You will not be out of place. I am in my late 30's and the crowd at Abbey Glen always have a large cross section.

The sky road is lovely and go back to any places you liked before. Ennis is lovely, I haven't been in a while but we used to go a lot to see family, I like the town.