I've recently become a dual citizen of Ireland. We have rented a beach house in Inverin, Batur,Teach Mor Co.. Galway. It has a trail from the back 440 yards from a pub! Since we've toured Ireland frequently, we just want to see what it would be like to live there,even for a short time. Don't know this area too well. Any info and suggestions greatly appreciated! We thought we'd either buy used or rent bikes....any idea where? Where are the best pubs and restaurants? My husband wants to fly fish.....best places? Do you know if we can have peat/wood delivered and how much both in volume and $ for three weeks. Thanks....Howdey

Howdey; Sorry I can't answer your questions about Galway area, but how long did it take to get your dual citizenship? My husband is going through the same procedure. We have had several letters sent to us from the consulate wanting more and the same paperwork over and over. We too would love to live part time in Ireland, hopefully in about 8 years. Good luck with your adventure.

I take it that you have found the place on a map.

Inverin lacks a centre. It's a slightly dispersed community on the coast road from Galway into Connemara, and it is in the Gaeltacht (an area where Gaelic is the first language).

Best pubs? Take your pick. It's down to personal taste. If you like a drink, the best pub is the one within walking distance.

Best restaurants? Frankly, there isn't much competition, as there aren't many in the area. The Boluisce in Spiddal is good.

Fuel? Ask the person from whom you are renting.

Fly fishing? The serious fisheries are a good distance away, in places like Cashel, Ballynahinch, Delphi. Pricey too, I believe. Lough Corrib has good lake fishing, and the place to enquire is the tourist office in Oughterard.

Were I to stay in Inverin, I would consider a car essential.

It took me about 2years to gather all required, including a trip to Ireland to talk to my great uncle and get the birth certs that I needed. It also includes getting my passport!

Yes, Padraig, I knew about the area in general. We will have a car and I'm learning Irish as we speak...slow!!! Submersion!!! My family is located in Cahir near Cashel so I guess we'll spend sometime on the family farm. Thanks

Donelly's in Barna on the coast road was terrific when I lived near there but it's been awhile. It's about 15 km back in towrd Galway city.

Thanks!!! Did you like living there?

Yes, I did like living in Ireland; I worked in Galway for a year, living in Corcullen, just up and over the ridge from Barna and facing the Corrib. It was a wonderful year in many ways--the people, the seafood, the Guiness and the traditional music, plus beautiful scenery.

The weather did get me down, particularly the very short, very rainy winter days. I made some wonderful friends and have had some good trips back for weddings and visits.

Have a grand time--lots of pub sessions out toward Spiddal.

Have you been to the Arran Islands on your last trip? If not I would recommend taking a ferry out to one for a day.

Thanks all...yes, I've been to the Aran Islands a couple of times....think of them everytime I put on my fisherman's sweater!!!

Delighted to hear you're giving Ireland a try...have dreamed of living there permanently myself after over 30 trips from two weeks to four months. I've never stayed any long length of time during winter though, and that's the true test! (There's a reason the suicide rate is quite high in Ireland!) Are you there now?

Anyway, since my base has always been Galway City, I love the area around Inverin and have tramped around the quiet little beaches, the lovely seaside cemetery, etc. As others have said, there's not much directly in Inverin itself. I always find good food and drink in Barna at The Twelve (though now annoyingly modernized from its former "old pub" atmosphere) and Donnelly's (great atmosphere but expensive enough); in Spiddal at An Cruiscin Lan (enjoy soup and casual food in their back enclosed conservatory or on their outside deck with views of the children in their sailing classes).

Even though I've never eaten there, O'Grady's on the Pier in Barna has been voted as the Best Restaurant in Connaught 2010 in the Irish Restaurant Awards. That's best in the whole province! So, if you love seafood, you'll probably want to try that place.

For your other questions, I'd say the best place to check may be to post a query in the www.boards.ie online forum for Galway. No one there is shy on giving advice or sharing their opinions...and they are the locals! A recent thread in the Galway City forum was discussing all the pubs with open fireplaces! Just the thing you want to know! So post there about sources for turf delivery, etc., and I'm sure you'll have loads of helpful answers in no time.

Also, download Ireland Visitor Discount passes at cultureheritageireland.com and get money off for loads of sites you may choose to visit.

Hope these help!

GearMaven...thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Great websites. No, we are not there yet....April thru May.