Galway-Connemara-Donegal
 

We are spending 3-4 days in Galway at end of June. After that we'd like to spend 2-3 days in Connemara or southern Donegal before driving up to northern Donegal [Rathmullin] and into Antrim. Suggestions for where to stay for those 2-3 days--location, B&B, etc.--much appreciated. One constraint is that my wife insists on visiting Sliabh League

four seasons B&B - 5/10 minute walk to eyre square - safe walk aty night - nice people - great room - good food
Bob

rogerb
guess I should have told you where - Galway
Bob

Don't know your price range, but in Antrim, the Bushmill's Inn is wonderful. Finally stayed there for a couple of night last week--the place is full of character and the service was tremendous. Food was also very good. It's not cheap in June, but you can check the rates on their website.

hi rogerb - you can check the routes you will take on www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/ it's great for giving road numbers and length of time it will take you to travel from any point in ireland to another.

connemara to donegal is only about three - four hours drive anyway.

rathmullen in county donegal gets very busy in the summer and i would suggest you book your chosen accommodation there earlier rather than later.

you could easily do the antrim coast road from a base in donegal. we took greek friends there and managed to do the uslter american folk park, omagh, the tour of the old bushmills distillery, and the giant's causway in a day (and stop for lunch along the way).

if you want to check details on ireland such as driving, safety, facts, trivia, etc. you can get info on my site: www.welovedonegal.com

all the best on your trip to ireland!

sorry, forgot to add: absolutely agree with your wife. you MUST visit slieve league. it is amazing. but don't go if it is very windy as it could be dangerous (they are the highest sea cliffs in europe by the way). after doing slieve league you can drive down into the fishing port of killybegs (largest fishing port in ireland). there's lots of places to eat there and you can enjoy a meal of fresh fish if you like that). sarah jessica parker and matthew broderick holiday in killybegs by the way.

you would be best to do this part of your journey from south donegal and then make your way from it (killybegs first then slieve league) on to northern donegal. the distance is easily travelled.

Salthill is Galway City's Beach area. It's about 1km from Eyre Sq. (AKA John F. Kennedy Sq.) out past the Claddagh Port. You can also drive to Connemara (Carraroe, Costello, Ross'a Veal - where the Aran Islands ferries depart) from Salthill in less than 30-min with little city traffic.

I would narrow my B&B search in the Galway area to Salthill. They may be a bit more expensive, but the old saying" 'location, location' makes it well worth it.
BTW
I went to Carraroe for lunch after golf at Connemara Isles: It started to rain and I put on a nylon raincoat that was in my day-pack. An elderly gent approached me and said something, in Irish. It almost brought tears to my eyes to reply: 'Sorry, I don't understand Irish!'

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but Anne, I have been wondering how you enjoyed Bushmills. I go there quite often and it had stuck in my mind that you had mentioned going there soon. When did you go?? Arent all the little nooky rooms fabulous, and all the open fires - heaven!!

Did you go into the little library at all?? If so, did you find the 'secret room'??!!

Angela

ttt

Hi Angela--we went for 2 nights over New Year's, and it was wonderful. I did find the secret room, and as I love libraries, my husband thought he had lost me for good. To top it off, we won a free two-night stay with dinner!

That is so funny!! I was actually there on New Years Day for a coffee, we could have walked right by each other and not even known! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and well done for winning the 2 night stay - as if you needed a reason to go back!!

Angela