Connemara-Galway area self-catering

wckc · Guru

Connemara-Galway area self-catering

tony2phones · Guru

Depends where you want to be. there are a couple of options in Clifden. The Coastguard Station is great but its too far up the sky rd to walk these days. The Station House has Apartments. There are a couple of places down by the Harbour but expensive. The main problem with Clifden though would be if your dates match Arts Week 14th - 24th

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I can't recommend the place that I stayed in Moycullen this past November, as I found it unsatisfactory. There looked to be a lot of places in and around Spiddal, though I've not stayed in any there.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob, Didn't you stay at a SC in Westport? That is not too far afield from Connemara. I have recs for SC in other parts of Ireland but unfortunately not Galway/Connemara.

wckc · Guru

I don't have everything set in stone yet, but we will be arriving about the 4th and leaving about the 22nd or 23rd. Westport is an option as well. We primarily want to spend this visit in County Galway, Connemara, West and North Mayo.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Michele's correct -- as always! biggrin biggrin

It was a few years ago, though -- 2008, I believe -- when we stayed in Westport Quay, at: http://www.theharbourmill.com/

A bit pricier than a full week in some places, but they are all-inclusive and they offer 3 and 4 night 'Specials', as well.

We quite enjoyed our stay there, as I remember. Really friendly and helpful staff. We had a two bedroom that overlooked Clew Bay. A bit of a hike into town, but it's very near to Westport House and Murrisk, for the Famine memorial and the Car Park below Croagh Patrick. We did a day trip to Achill and one to Belmullet, in addition to another cruise through the Doo Lough Valley during our 4 night stay.

tony2phones · Guru

What sort of budget are you looking at?

With the best part of 3 weeks you might be better looking at 2 bases and some touring B&B dates rather than a fixed 2 week base. Spiddal is nice but so is Moycullen or at a push Oughterard although if going as far west as there I would be carrying on to Clifden. Not sure I could spend a full week in Roundstone but I know friends that have. Westport or Newport possibly even Ballina work for North Mayo. If you want to Include the Burren and north west Clare perhaps Kinvara comes into the equation (8~10th Sept is the Cuckoo festival) Galway Oyster festival is best avoided at the end of your trip but the Clarinbridge oyster festival is again the 8~10th ? (preliminary dates) Galway Races 18/19th again best avoided for traffic and hyked prices in the city.

wckc · Guru

We'd like not to spend more on a self-catering than the cost of a B&B. In the past our B&B rates have run 65-80 euro/nite for the two of us (not sure if this is still the going rate). We agree two bases, one week each with a couple of B&B nites thrown in might make sense. We agree, a week in Roundstone would be too much.

Glad to know the festival dates - that will have an effect on things. We do want to visit Clifden, and hope to see the castle this time (somehow managed to miss it in 2012). We've visited the Burren and west Clare quite a bit in trips past, so those really aren't on the agenda this go round.

Michele Erdvig · Host

The path into Clifden Castle can be full of puddles and mud so try to visit when it has been dry for a few days. (If that is possible in Ireland!) Generally B&B is in the 35 - 45 range pps unless you go for something upscale.

wckc · Guru

Well, we decided two separate bases is the way to go. We'll be arriving on Monday, September 4th and will need recommendations for a one night B&B. We will be staying in a one bedroom loft apartment overlooking Lough Carra, near Ballinrobe, County Mayo for our first week. Our second week will be in a cottage 50 m from the shore of Lake Inchiquin near Corofin, Co. Clare (yes, per Tony's suggestion, it does appear that Clare and the Burren will be part of this agenda afterall smile ) . We'll spend our final night on the 19th at the Park Inn there at the Shannon airport.

Any suggestions for a place to stay that first night when we arrive would be greatly appreciated.

Now on to planning where all we will visit...

tony2phones · Guru

I assume Corofin Lake Cottages, have you booked?

-- Edited by tony2phones on Sunday 9th of April 2017 04:24:00 PM

wckc · Guru

We've actually booked both lodgings through Air B&B. This is a single family owned cottage on the lake, listed as Lakeside Cottage, Killinaboy, Clare. It sounds lovely, with all the amenities we were looking for, and at a very reasonable price.

tony2phones · Guru

I don't know how you plan to spend your evenings but Corrofin is a long way from part central and you are a fair way from getting to there on some pretty small roads. I had suggested Kinvara as the best option for Clare and Galway. You have a central base for the Burren and a lovely location but possibly a little quiet?

wckc · Guru

Thanks Tony. We generally are home bodies in the evenings, and enjoy staying in for a lovely turf fire. We've self catered in smaller areas in the past, and have enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Are you arriving in Shannon?

wckc · Guru

we will be arriving and departing from Shannon.