Roundstone is a quaint little seaside village about a 10-minute drive from Ballynahinch. Consider having a bite to eat in O'Dowd's Restaurant or Vaughan's Hotel, or a pint of Guinness in King's Bar.
Dog's Bay is a beautiful beach close to Roundstone, and about a 15-minute drive from the hotel. The beach is ideal for a nice walk or fresh swim in the sea.
A lovely seaside restaurant specializing in seafood. 10 min drive from Ballynahinch. Grab a pint of Guinness and some fresh oysters!
The castle grounds has hundreds of acres to explore. Ask reception for a map of the grounds and go exploring!
Take a page out of Darragh's book and try some fly fishing on the grounds or nearby Ballynahinch.
Situated about a 25-minute drive from the hotel, Connemara Golf Club is a beautiful links course. Booking in advance is strongly recommended.
Kylemore is a beautiful picturesque neo-gothic manor house in Connemara and is definitely worth a visit. It is about a 30 minute drive from Ballynahinch.
We did this hike with Darragh's father David on New Years Eve last year and it was one for the books! It is tough (especially mid winter!) but has beautiful views of Connemara. It is about 3.75 miles and will take a few hours.
A beautiful place for a walk and hike, both guided and self-guided.
Inisbofin is a beautiful island accessible by regular ferry from Cleggan. The island offers beautiful walks, and activities such as horseriding, etc. A full day or overnight trip is recommended.
Omey Island located near Claddaghduff is a tidal Island, a short walk from the mainland but only accessible around low tide. A beautiful sandy grass Island with majestic views out over the Atlantic to the larger Island beyond; however when you do decide to visit the island be sure to check tide tables and seek local knowledge before setting out.
Galway is Darragh's hometown and a must-see spot on your trip to Ireland! There are so many great spots but we recommend stopping in for at least one pint at Darragh's favorite pub, Tigh Neachtain.
Dromoland is a beautiful castle hotel right near the Shannon airport. Is a beautiful place to stay during your time in Ireland, especially if you are spending most of your time in the West.
This is a great road trip to include in your travels if you plan on traveling on either end of the weekend. It is a long but gorgeous drive along the coastline of Ireland in Kerry.
We absolutely adore Ballymaloe! The world famous cookery school is located in Cork which is a few hours drive from Ballynahinch. It can't be missed for a standout dinner and a walk around the beautiful grounds. If you have the time during your travel we recommend staying the night and partaking in one of their cooking courses.
A beautiful spot in the middle of Galway to do fly fishing or just watch the fisherman try their luck!
When we are in Galway, we do a walk on the prom nearly every morning or evening. If you are feeling adventurous, we recommend doing a quick dip in the ocean. Madeline swam on Christmas morning (alone!) last year.
We love the Corrib Princess as a peaceful way to spend an hour in Galway. Not only do you learn some Irish history you can also view the beautiful river Corrib on a leisurely boat ride. Fun Fact: you can see Dr. and Mrs. O'Flaherty's house from the boat!
If you are staying in Galway for awhile and don't mind the drive, we recommend treating yourself to this hidden gem located an hour outside of Galway. It has a fabulous tasting menu.