Looking for a "jewel" in Connemara in March

Dana Ballentine · Member

Looking for a "jewel" in Connemara in March

CowboyCraic · Guru

RE: Looking for a "jewel" in Connemara in March

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dana,

I am so glad that CowboyCraic has shared such good info with you. I seldom do self-catering myself (but will do it next time in No. Ireland). Consequently, I don't have a lot of self-catering suggestions. Some of the B&Bs that I frequent have self-catering but not in the area that you want to stay.

Weather will be mixed, but with your time self-catering you can do sightseeing when the sun shines and enjoy your cottage when the weather is unfavorable.

Michele

Dana Ballentine · Member

cowboycraic: thanks for the great info. we now have added two more people to our journey and are wondering if you think that the claddaghduff cottage is suited for four. There are not many pics of the inside of the cottage. Have you stayed there? Are the bedrooms small or large and how is the bathroom situation.... I'm not so worried about my husband and myself, but now want to make sure that the others will be comfortable. I've stayed in some cottages where the shower is a trickle....and know that this would be a problem for the others. Sorry if I sound overly concerned. Just want to make sure that a first time trip for the others will be as enjoyable as my adventures have been.

CowboyCraic · Guru

If memory serves me correctly, Claddagduff has one room with a double bed and one which would be consider a family room, with a double bed & a single. Neither room is ensuite, which means the bathroom is shared. There are two bathrooms with power showers. THe rooms aren't overly large, as they were built in a time when bedrooms were for sleeping but they aren't cramped either.

The problem with most self-catering cottages is that they will have only one double bed offered and then two singles. For some couples, this might not be a problem. Glynsk might be one to consider as it has two double bedded rooms. A bit farther a field but good for two couples is the Old Fishing Lodge just outside of Clifden. It looks old fashioned but inside it is all modern. Water's Edge is its sister cottage, which has 3 bedrooms ensuite. However, it is showing rates of $550 Euro per week during your indicated dates. I would recommend Foxglove House, as well. However, I am not sure what their rates are, as it has been a few years since I have been in contact with them. .

Let me cull my files and see if I can find the perfect setting for you all.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Dana,

This was in my couples file:

“ Bernie’s Cottage”

Ballyconneely,

“Bernie’s Cottage” is Located on the coastal road between Ballyconneely and Roundstone, in a haven of tranquillity and wild beauty.

Newly Built to a very high standard, the cottage has 4 bedrooms – 2 doubles ( 1 en-suite ) and 2 single rooms, all individually decorated with your comfort in mind. The main bathroom has a shower and bath. The cottage sleeps 8 people in total, all bed linen and towels are supplied – a cot and high chair are also available.

The kitchen/Dining area is fully fitted with all modern conveniences - utensils and crockery are supplied. Sitting-room has a TV and VCR and has an open fireplace – initial solid fuel is supplied.

Heating is by oil which is included in the price – electricity is extra.

There is an outside seating area with a Bar-b-que.

“Bernie’s Cottage” is perfectly located roughly half way between Roundstone and Clifden on the Ballyconneely Road, Close to Keogh’s bar and restaurant, making it an ideal location for you to enjoy the many attractions of the area - beautiful beaches – Gurteen & Dog’s Bay, Golfing, Horse-riding, Hill Walking, Fishing and many more. There are superb views of the Twelve Pins and of Ballyconneely Bay.

Bernie’s Cottage is available on a weekly basis all year.

Further Details Contact Agnes Nee, Anytime; E-mail lisamnee@eircom.net

Telephone 086 8682756

OR

Bernie at 095 23017

CowboyCraic · Guru

Good Morning Dana,

I am not sure how deep into the Connemara region you wish to locate. I researched my files to find the best to suit your needs. Bernie's Cottage is definitely one to check out. I completely forgot about Ross Point Cottage, which has its own small patch of beach. If you are up for it, they even provide bicycles for you to use. They provide all linens, with exception of the bath towels. It is about 7 miles from Clifden, aproximately an hour and a half outside of Galway, and gives you easy access to the Ferries to Inis Bofin, which is quickly becoming a Trad music haven. It is also an easy distance from the Killary Fjord, which isn't to be missed, if you are in the region. Though rural in setting, it is very much in the hub of Connemara activity. I would have to say, hands down, that this is certainly one of the hidden jewels of Connemara.

I hope this hasn't been an information overload. The West of Ireland and Connemara especially are my passion. They stole my heart completely on my first visit.

Dana Ballentine · Member

CowboyCraic: No overload here! I appreciate all the information. Keep it coming. Like you, the West and Connemara regions are my favorite parts of Ireland. While traveling on some of the smaller roads, both my husband and I were many times speakless as we observed the incredible beauty around us. We both came home trying to decide if we should just sell everything and move. I am a photographer so that region is especially giving to me. I have captured some incredible images that daily take me back to a place that truly captivated me. After having traveled to many foreign countries, Ireland has become my "country of choice". We had great weather when we were there last July and August and hope to experience a different climate when we return in March. Have you been to the Aran Islands during this part of the year? I look forward to a wilder Atlantic and colder/wetter days....

Again, thank you for sharing all of the great information.
Dana

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hello Dana,

If you are a photographer, then Ross Point would be ideal! This past July, I was able to bring my brother along for his first visit to Ireland. He is a Western Lifestyles photographer. The only stipulation was that he would drive us to our gigs and that he would take all of the photos. I now have over 3500 digital photos to go through with him. He took his job quite seriously!

I have not experienced the Arans in March. However, if you are looking for a great place to stay on Inis Mor, get in touch with Joe & Maura Wolfe at Man of Aran Cottage. I booked in with them on a whim on my first trip to Ireland. They have become like family. Maura's cooking is exquisite. While I appreciate the rugged atlantic weather, I am also mindful that if the seas are too rough the ferries can't run. That is not a problem when you are on the mainland, as you can just schedule Inis Mor for another, calmer day. However, if you are on a day trip to the Arans and the Ferries ecome grounded, it becomes a race with the other tourists to find overnight lodging.

You said that your husband is a writer. There are few places that will provide stronger inspiration than the Connemaras and the rugged West of Ireland. Again, Ross Point is a good place to reflect and find that balance that Writers all need.

As for packing everything up & moving, it is an urge that I fight each time I return from my home of the soul. As my children near their high school graduation next May, I hear the Siren's beckoning louder. However, I will be content with frequent trips over during Arizona's wickedly hot summers. This summer was the only time I have been disappointed in the weather. It was the hottest summer on record in Ireand in over one hundred years! We did manage o finally get a few good rain days the last four days of our trip.

Dana Ballentine · Member

Cowboycraic...do you know of any self-catering cottages in Sligo or Mayo? I like RossPoint a lot but now am considering staying somewhere a bit northeast with ideas of visiting Northern Ireland. Any suggestions would be great....from you or anyone. Thank you so much.
Dana

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hello Dana,

I know of one which comes highly recommended in the Sligo area though I have not yet stayed there myself. Ardtarmon House is 11 miles NW of Sligo town. You might give them a look. As for Co. Mayo, I have only ventured there once and the experience I had at the B&B was a page taken from the movie Psycho.

You could still stay in Ross Point and either do a long day trip into Northern Ireland or overnight in a North Ireland B&B, as well.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

Dana Ballentine · Member

Funny you should mention Ardtarmon House. A friend of mine who just returned from Ireland stayed there. It's truly a small world, isn't it? I will look into it. Thanks again for all of your help. If you think of anything else, let me know.
dana

Michele Erdvig · Host

Cowboy Craic,

I am intrigued by your "Psycho" experience in Co. Mayo. Is it one you can share?

Dana,

You mention you would like a self-catering place nearer to Northern Ireland. Try Glenrowan: http://www.glenrowanb-b.com/ The B&B is lovely and I had a tour of the self-catering unit, which is very nice too. Let me know if you are interested in a rental cottage in No. Ireland because I am just back and had a wonderful experience there.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Michele,

The B&B we stayed at in Co. Matyo, Yellow Rose I believe it was called, on outwards appearances would tell you it is a wonderful place. Once my traveling companion and I found our way there, we found a note stating that they would be back soon. No problem, although we did have an agreed upon meeting time. When they arrived, the young daughter, 8 years old, kept shrilling "Americans, American" over and over. I chalked it up to excitement and brushed it off. We settled in, with the daughter bouncing on our beds and poking into our stuff and ventured into the sitting room. There, waiting to meet us was the husband. He had just come in off his fishing boat. It was the only "normal" conversation we would have. Then he disappeared and we never saw him again for the entire time we were there. The son, around 12, came in and began chattering nonsensical words over and over while grabbing at his privates and ,because I was sitting on the settee which was low, thrusting himself in my face. During dinner, we were beseiged by pictures of the children growing up and both children popping in to "make sure we were behaving". We survived dinner and went for a walk as they had a magnificent coastal view. As we walked, we sensed that we were being followed. Yet everytime we would turn to look there would be nobody there. We finally managed to catch the two children following at some distance. They darted into the hedges when they saw that we had noticed. We had locked our door before leaving the house. When we returned after our walk, the door was unlocked. We said our good nights and locked ourselves in our room. Both of us were in law enforcement and sleep light. Each of us woke three seperate times during the night to find the door unlocked each time. At breakfast the next morning, we met the guests who had come in late the night before. That was the best part of the stay there. We made two wonderful friends. I think it was survival bonding. The girl child had walked into their room for a chat while the man was in a towel that morning. After breakfast, we had planned to make a leisurely departure. However, upon entering our "locked" bedroom, it was obvious someone had been in, as my hat was moved from the dresser to the bed, which is something I would never do. We actually opened the window and were tossing our luggage into our car from the bedroom as fast as we could, when the girl popped up in the window and asked "Scared of something?".

That was our Psycho experiece. I have never felt the need to ever lock my doors anywhere that I have stayed in Ireland or Northern Ireland, except for there.

Slan Go Foill,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

Michele Erdvig · Host

Cowboy Craic,

That is creepy. My worst experience was getting kicked out of a B&B and cursed at before the door slammed on me. I sure am glad I didn't stay there. For some reason it tickled my funny bone and I was laughing out loud when I got back into the car with my patiently waiting husband. He didn't think it was funny when I told him what happened (over-protective) but I laughed for the rest of the day.

Michele