Connemara/Clifden - Guesthouses
Photos: (Center) Breakfast buffet of fresh fruits, juices, cereals,
yogurts, and home-baked scones at Buttermilk Lodge (the bacon, sausages, eggs, porridge,
buttermilk pancakes or oak-smoked salmon are served to order); surrounded by (clockwise
from left) Buttermilk Lodge, Clifden; Mal Dua House, Clifden; Connemara Country Lodge,
Clifden; and O'Grady's Sunnybank Guesthouse, Clifden.
B&B per person per night
€ - under 50
€€ - 50 to 75
€€€ - 75 to 100
€€€€ - 100 to 150
€€€€€ - over 150
Buttermilk Lodge, Westport Rd., Clifden, Co. Galway; tel. 095-21951; e-mail: buttermilklodge@eircom.net. Named after nearby Lough Ime (known as Buttermilk Lake), this cheery flower-decked 3-star guesthouse sits on a hillside overlooking the awesome Connemara mountain scenery, an easy walk into the town of Clifden. Hosts Cathriona and Patrick O'Toole provide a warm welcome with a turf fire (and a "cuppa" with home-baked treats is always available). Each of the 11 guest rooms is named after a different local lake and is decorated accordingly, with country pine furniture, leafy plants, floral art, and buttermilk/bovine-themed bric-a-brac, along with TV, phone and hairdryer. Internet access is also available to guests. Best of all are the sumptuous breakfasts, offering everything from "traditional Irish" (egg-bacon-sausage) to oak-smoked salmon, hot porridge, and just-baked breads and scones (and buttermilk pancakes, too). Closed: 4 Jan.-5 Feb. € Web site: www.buttermilklodge.com
Connemara Country Lodge, Westport Road, Clifden, Co. Galway; tel.095-22122; e-mail: connemara@unison.ie. If you are fond of Irish music, staying at this Georgian-style guesthouse has a special reward. Hostess Mary Corbett, a well-known performer of Irish music and song, often performs for her guests in the lounge. Mary offers 10 rooms, each with TV, coffee/tea-maker, hairdryer and telephone. There is ample parking outside and the house is an easy walking distance from town. € Web site: www.bedandbreakfastgalway.com
Mal Dua House, Galway Road, Clifden, Co. Galway; tel. 095-21171; e-mail: info@maldua.com. Set back from the main N 59 road less than a mile from town, this 4-star non-smoking guesthouse is an appealing place to stay with lovely gardens, a sparkling brook and small stone bridge outside. Proprietors Peter and Aideen Byrne offer 14 luxurious rooms, outfitted with TV, phone, hairdryer, coffee/tea-maker. Guests are welcome to enjoy afternoon tea served in the drawing room in old world style, or internet access in 21st century style. € to €€ Web site: www.maldua.com
O'Grady's Sunnybank Guesthouse, Church Hill, Clifden, Co. Galway; tel. 095-21437; e-mail: info@sunnybankhouse.com. Dating to 1823, this grand country home has had a varied history - first as residence for John D'Arcy (town founder), then used by the Church of Ireland, RIC Army, and Sisters of Mercy. In 1977 it was transformed into a 4-star guesthouse. The house is situated amid extensive gardens and rockery on high ground, a two-block walk to the main street. Proprietor Shane O'Grady offers 8 guest rooms with a traditional décor and up-to-date amenities including orthopedic beds, TV and phone. Guests enjoy use of an outdoor heated swimming pool (June-August), sauna, and tennis court. Closed: 6 Nov.-1 Mar. Note: currently (2007), this house is available only on a full-rental self-catering basis. € to €€ Web site: www.sunnybankhouse.com
Connemara/Clifden —
Hotels Connemara/Clifden —
B&Bs The West "Favorite Places to Stay" Page
Return to: The West Main Page
Other
Sections to visit:
| The Ireland Expert | Ireland
Guide | Smart Shopping | Hot News |
| Group Tours | Pat's Books | Irish Connections | "Ask Pat"
Q&A Forum |
