SiobhanP

Clifden is your best bet. We usually go there or Westport when we get fed up of Dublin for a weekend. The abbeyglen is pricey but a fu place to stay and the Father/Son owners are reaaly friendly, they care about their business. You have to book in advance if you are not staying at the hotel for Dinner. DO it! The food is great and ask for a tble with a view of the sea. There is usually music in the bar after dinner.

For a less expensive place try staying at the Buttermilk Lodge. Its a very nice B&B (A bit moe upmarket) and has fantastic breakfasts with salmon or pancakes etc.

There is a range of restaurants in the village and many feature seafood. I don't think its the cheapest place to eat out but most of the places were good.

From Clifden you could go to roundstone and at the end of the village is a group of shops that sell jewelry , pottery, instruments etc.

Lenane is a lovely drive and the was a boat that did evening cruises when I was there last summer. Not sure if they were booze cruises but it looked fun. They left from near the village on the lake.

Go to Westport, mayo for a day its not far and a lovely village. Drive out to Croagh Patrick (Climb it if you feel fit enough). Also there are seaweed Baths in a day spa just outside westport. I have done this myself and I am addicted to it!

Have fun and just wander around.

Tennischick

Thanks again to everyone for all the information! We've decided to base in Clifden all 3 days and allow a few hours for Galway. With all your suggestions and beautiful pictures, I know it'll be an unforgetable 3 days in the region!

If any other tips come to mind, please post! I will continue to check back.

One last question. We've decided to stay at AbbeyGlen Castle but after several tries, haven't received a response to our emails (including a secure booking submittal). I haven't run into this for our reservations elsewhere in Ireland and wonder if I should just place a call or wait a few days?

Thank you!

Holldoll

You will not be sorry you chose Abbeyglen--that's for sure. If you don't hear back, send an email to confirm. I believe I always heard back within 24 hours. If not, give them a ring to be sure everything is in order. Enjoy--it's a great, relaxing and inviting atmosphere!!

SiobhanP

Definately call the abbeyglen. I would not count on e-mail for everything. Its a lovely place.

Tennischick

HollDoll and SiobhanP - Thanks! I finally heard back from AbbeyGlenn and we now have firm reservations. I can't wait; it looks lovely!

We're not planning to take dressy clothes on this trip but from the pictures on the website, will we need to dress for dinner? Thanks!

SiobhanP

Not really I had a sweater on me. People are pretty casual in Ireland.

Holldoll

I'd say not dressy at all. I know--the pictures made me wonder too. Each evening I wore plain slacks and a casual sweater, or some such thing. I'd probably say no to jeans (though you could), but that's about it. I'm so happy for you--when is it you're going?

Tennischick

That's good to know as I had hoped we could travel light!

We'll be there in Ireland late August/early Sept. The 3 nights at AbbeyGlen will be near the end and I know we'll be happy to be in one place for 3 nights, especially such a lovely place!

Thanks again for such great help with all this!

Holldoll

I'll be there for three nights in mid-November and am really looking forward to it too. Hope you have a wonderful trip and we'll be looking forward to a trip report!

MaryZ

We had a great dinner in Clifden at a place called Off the Square.

Tennischick

Thanks, Mary! I've added Off the Square to the list we'll be taking along with us. And if you think of other suggestions, please post! I'll continue to check back. Thanks for all the help on this leg of the trip!

edhodge

Another vote for Off the Square! Great food. When we drove through the Doo Lough valley, we stopped at the Two Dog Cafe (right on the squre in Clifden) and got some fabulous sandwiches for take-away. E.J. Kings, a pub on the square, had some wonderful traditional music and the veal shanks weren't shabby either.

OReilly

Guys:

Here are some of the places we have eaten in over the past few years:

Ballynahinch Castle, Recess, Co. Galway
Recess - Connemara - County Galway
Tel: +353 95 31006 Fax: +353 95 31085
http://www.ballynahinch-castle.com/

Lough Inagh Lodge
Recess, Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland
Tel: 095 34706 Fax: 095 34708
http://www.loughinaghlodgehotel.ie

Erriseask House Hotel,
Ballyconneely, Co. Galway
Tel: (Ireland) 353 95 23553 - Fax: (Ireland) 353 95 23639
http://www.iol.ie/~visitirl/html/erriseask_house.html

Cashel House Hotel
Cashel, Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland
Tel: +353-95-31001 Fax: +353-95-31077
http://www.cashel-house-hotel.com/

High Moors,
Dooneen, Clifden , Galway.
Phone:+353 95 21342
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...ra/D44323.html

High Moors was a favorite, but we were not there in 2003. I'll try to get the name of that little restuarant.

regards Ger

Holldoll

Tennischick: I'm certain those are all fine restaurant recommendations. However, Abbeyglen's rates include a large breakfast buffet, afternoon tea and four course dinners, with sumptious selections. I don't think you'll have room for anything else. Nor do I think you'll choose to turn down any of Abbeyglen's meals!!

Tennischick

HollDoll, I'm sure you're right about the AbbeyGlen's meals! I can't imagine being hungry but all the places sound so tempting, don't they!

Ger, thanks for the suggestions throughout the region which should be helpful during our drives. I've added them all to the list! If you can't find the name of the eccentric French couple's place, not to worry. They sound so unique that I bet one could just ask around!

And Edhodge, thanks for the 2 Dog and E.J. Kings, both of which are now added to my list too! I especially look forward to the traditional music in the pubs!

Samsaf

Ger, We, too, are planning our first trip to Ireland, and those driving tours you suggested sound great! Could you e-mail those to me, please? We will have 4 days in the area. We'll probably spend 3 nights there and then the last night near the Shannon airport. Thanks for any information you can give me.

Sherry

opus

This has been great reading and thanks for all your posts.

Any advice for a Connemara self catering trip in March? We have been looking for something on the water, private, really cozy but not too far from say Clifden nor golf/trekking/beach.
Not sure whether to look at the northern side of Clifden (Leenane) or south (Cashel)--if those are in fact the right directions!
Not much seems to be available close to Roundstone or Clifden that appeals.

Is March too bleak to consider any of this? We could go back towards Dingle...

Thanks.

Pawleys

What a wonderful thread and what helpful information. I'm reading with envy because I'd hoped to spend a couple of nights in the Connemara area. We've finally decided to spend our last 2 nights at Glen Abbey near Galway; to accomodate complicated schedules of our fellow travelers. We'll be leaving Lahinch one morning and spend that night and the following at Glen Abbey. Will we be able to do any of the drives that you suggest Ger? Any suggestions for that limited amount of time?

OReilly

Opus:

We have stayed in the Clifden area several times. I would highly recommend the properties below (we stayed there twice).:
http://www.ballynahinch.net/

Last year, we stayed in a large cottage in Leenane and I am trying to find the information for you.

The area around Clifen is wonderful, which is why we go back year after year. If you and Pawley send me a note to [email protected], I will send you a copy of the driving tours.

regards Ger

OReilly

http://www.connemara-ireland.com/Rental.htm

Opus: you might be able to find something on these websites.

regards Ger