Connemara’s rugged coastline boasts some of Ireland’s finest beaches, with stretches of pure white sands and turquoise waters. Galway’s outstanding beauty surrounds some wonderful holiday homes and cottages, sure to provide a memorable self catering holiday in Ireland.

Quaint fishing villages and towns scatter the coastline like Ballyconneely, Claddaghduf, Clifden and Roundstone, where we have a number of pretty self-catering holiday homes and coastal cottages available to book.

Near our holiday cottage in Leenane is Killary Harbour, one of Ireland's three fjords forms a spectacular natural divide between Galway and neighbouring Mayo. Here you will find some of the most dramatic scenery in Ireland, from the northern shores rises Mweelrea, the highest mountain in Connacht at 814m and to the south you can see the Maumturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens. Accommodation in Connemara provides endless natural beauty, right on your doorstep.

The movie ‘The Field’ by John B Keane was shot almost entirely in the Connemara village of Leenane. The pub scenes in the film were shot in Gaynor's, one of three bars which serve this tiny one-street village. Gaynor’s and Hamilton’s are both traditional family owned bars and An Carraig provides awe inspiring view of Killary. On your next holiday in Leenane enjoy a traditional music session held every Sunday evening in An Carraig, while mingling with the local fisherman and sheep farmers.

Kylemore Abbey is 4 km from our holiday homes in Letterfrack. The abbey and its attractive Victorian walled garden welcomes over 300,000 tourists each year. Kylemore Abbey should be on the top of your list of things to do on your next self-catering holiday in Connemara. The magnificent abbey and gardens were founded by the Benedictine nuns in 1920, after they fled Belgium in World War I. Taste the award-winning chocolates handmade by the Benedictine nuns and explore the beauty, history, and romance of Ireland’s most intriguing estate in the heart of the Connemara countryside.

Visit the mussel and oyster farms along the stunning Killary Fjord and learn what is involved in harvesting the delicious oyster. And of course, you must sample the fresh oysters accompanied by a delicious glass of chilled white wine. Take a cruise along the fjord and stop off at a traditional farm to watch a demonstration of sheep shearing. Renting a coastal cottage has many benefits.

Popular Land and Water Races in Connemara

Connemara is an area of wild, unspoilt scenery with windswept bogs, idyllic lakes, bordered by the Twelve Bens mountain range and the Wild Atlantic coast. The dramatic scenery and beautiful isolation of the region makes for an exciting and exhilarating experience should you wish to take part in one of their many annual outdoor land and water races.

Connemara International Marathon takes place every April, starting in Leenane or Lough Inagh depending on your distance of choice, half, full or ultra-distance and finishing in Maam Cross. Only a 15-minute drive away are a selection of our self-catering holiday homes in Recess, a pretty village in Connemara.

The ŠKODA Tour de Connemara is held in May, starting and finishing in the vibrant seaside town of Clifden in Connemara. The race is ideally located beside a large selection of our self catering holiday cottages in Clifden town, distances include a 140 km & 80 km route.

Run, kayak and cycle your way around the wild and rugged Connemara coast with Gaelforce West, a multi-sport event held in June every year. Starting on the white sand crescent of Glassilaun beach in Connemara, close to our Renvyle holiday cottages.

Or maybe the Gaelforce 10k Trilogy is right up your street, made up of three amazing trail runs, Gaelforce 10k Bray Cliff Run held in April, Gaelforce 10k Kippure Trail held in August and Gaelforce 10k Howth Summit which takes place every October, three trail runs in three memorable locations in Ireland.

Another much loved annual outdoor race is the Great Fjord Swim, held every September. This open water swim takes place beneath the shadow of Connaught’s highest mountain in the waters of Killary Fjord, distances vary from 3.9 km, full ironman distance, 2 km or 750 metres.

And an alternative event incorporating 3 distances to suit different levels is Gaelforce Sky Run, a mountain running event for different levels of mountain running fitness and experience. Set in the rugged wilderness of the Maamturk mountains in March, distances vary from 12 km mountain/trail run or for the more experienced runner there is a 22 km or 13 km race on open mountains with no trails.

Or for a unique experience on your next self catering holiday in Connemara try Ireland's most exciting & innovative obstacle race and mud run, Turf Warrior. An 8 km obstacle run held annually in November, an extreme obstacle course full of adventure, mud, climbing and swinging – a unique race which promises to be one you’ll never forget!

Outdoor Adventure in Connemara

If you wish to fly solo then the area's quiet, minor roads are ideal for cycling as there are a number of marked loops in the Connemara region. A Clifden cottage will bring access to Clifden Bike Hire Shop in the market town of Clifden has a fleet of bikes, from electric to hybrid to children’s bikes, buggies and tandems explore the mountains, bog roads, secluded beaches and more – Connemara is sure to satisfy your thirst for discovery and adventure.

Hikers and hill walkers will be spoiled for choice with the selection of marked trails through the bog land, around the shores of Lough Corrib and along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

For the thrill seekers, coasteering combines the art of rock-scrambling, cliff-jumping and adventure swimming. Suitable for those accustomed to swimming in the area and with a head for heights, a unique way to experience the Wild Atlantic coastline.

Killary Adventure Company in Leenane has over 20 activities to choose from, such as hill walking, high ropes, kayaking and Real Adventures in Clifden offer you the opportunity to experience the rugged Connemara coastline from a different perspective on a kayaking tour. Explore the remote and majestic sea caves, sea arches and the cliffs of Cleggan Head.

The area’s main town, Clifden, has several venues for traditional Irish music. Discover the ruins of Gothic Revival–style Clifden Castle and the area around the town is rich with megalithic tombs. In Clifden and the surrounding area we have a great selection of holiday homes and cottages varying in style and size. Clifden Holiday Cottage is nestled on the shores of Lough Beaghcauneen near Clifden, offering a unique holiday experience. Clifden Bay Holiday Apartment and Clifden Town Holiday Apartments are all equally beautiful holiday homes in Connemara. They are ideally situated within easy walking distance to the town's many shops, traditional cosy bars, restaurants and vibrant cafes.

Connemara is home to Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht or Irish speaking area where traditional music, Irish dancing and handmade crafts are frequently celebrated at local festivals such as the Connemara Pony Show in Clifden. The annual Connemara Pony Festival & Show attracts visitors from all over the world. The highlight of the festival is on Thursday and Friday, when the biggest showcase of Connemara Ponies in the world takes place. Ponies compete in in-hand classes, ridden classes, working hunter classes, and in a puissance competition.

Pony trekking offers an alternative way to explore the region and our holiday homes in Connemara at Roundstone, Cleggan, Ballyconneely and Clifden are perfectly positioned for a visit to this truly spectacular area.

Stretching from the Atlantic shore towards the mighty Twelve Bens, Derrigimlagh blanket bog is one of Europe’s most magnificent wetland environments. The bog boasts a rich archaeology, dating back over 6,000 years but also has a remarkable modern history. In Derrigimlagh discover the remnants of the world’s first permanent transatlantic radio station, which sent out the inaugural transatlantic signal in 1907.

Connemara is a magical holiday destination in Ireland at any time of the year. You will be spoiled for choice of outdoor activities and breath-taking views along the Wild Atlantic Way. Explore miles of pure white sands beaches, listen to the waves crashing along the rugged coast, watch the sunset over Omey Island and see the natural beauty of Ballynahinch Estate all on your next self catering holiday in Connemara.