Here you will find a list of information and activities around Dolanstown, and a little further around Connemara.
See also a Local Gallery to whet your appetite!

Golf
Connemara Golf Links, 20 minutes drive.
ph: 095 23502 [website]

Pony Trekking

The Point Pony Trekking is just beyond the Golf course, quite a basic offering and they mostly have beginner riders but beach rides are very enjoyable. If you have a group of good riders let them know and they will organise a fast ride.
ph: 095 23685 [website]

Cleggan Beach Riding Centre at Omey Island. Fantastic trekking out to Omey island and other locations.
ph: 095 44746 [website]

Errislanan Manor Riding, Stephanie Brooks. Riding lessons as well as trekking.
ph: 095 21134 [website]

Tennis
Court in Roundstone, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel and also in Clifden.

Local Beaches
Dolan Beach (Tra Mhor) below the house is safe for swimming. There are no rip currents but there can be quite a bit of seaweed about, especially after heavy weather. It does catch Atlantic swells so watch out for dumpy waves. Boogie Boarding can be fun here. Not ideal for windsurfing, go to….

Gorteen (Gurteen) Beach – idyllic setting, very safe for swimming, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Big car park but gets crowded in fine weather. Fantastic clear green water. Great snorkelling along coast to left.

Dog’s Bay
Adjacent to Gorteen is also a beautiful beach and safe for swimming and suitable for kitesurfing in westerly winds.

False Bay, Doolaughan.
Tricky to find. Head out golf course road from Ballyconneelly and turn right after about 3 km, the turn might still have a sign for Doonlaughan. If you pass the derelict seaweed factory you have gone too far. Continue down this road a few kilometres, veering right at fork. After a while the stone wall on the right will end and it opens out into commonage. Follow tracks north for about a km. This beach picks up lots of swell and is popular with surfers and boogie boarders. Beware of strong rip currents on left and right of bay, so keep in the middle unless you are experienced. If there is a big swell it should only be entered on a rising tide. Best tide for surfing is mid to high tide.

Mannin Bay beaches, take first left after Ballyconneelly and drive to end. Three of four separate beaches stretch out to the west. Beautiful spot for walks.

Coral Strand on left just after turn for Mannin Bay. Unusual in that the sand is actually coral.

Omey Island beach beside Claddaghduff at low tide – pony races during the summer.

Whale Harbour, between Gorteen and Ervallagh is a great spot for swimming and diving. Take first turn right after Gorteen, drive down this bohreen about 300m and enter gate that is facing you as road turns sharp left. It is also easily walked to from Gorteen by taking path along coast from left end of beach.

Fishing.
Brown Trout in small lakes near Clifden. Contact Stanley’ shop in Clifden.
Ph: 095 21039

Salmon and Sea Trout at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel fishery, booking required.
Ph: 095 31006

Sea Fishing. Martin O”Malley 086-8207263

Dolphin and sightseeing rib trips. Martin O’Malley 086-8207263

Diving Boat and sites. John Britton.086-2779622

Clifden Sailing and power boat club. Commodore Damien Ward 087-2418569.

Clifden Sailing school.sailconnemara@hotmail.com

Kayaking equipment seasonally available to hire. Gurteen Bay.

Excursions
Kylemore Abbey and gardens, north of Clifden is a must.
[website]

Skye Road drive, signposted west out of Clifden. Amazing views and good paragliding location.

Day trip to Innisbofin via Cleggan Ferry, highly recommended, rent bikes or bring your own on ferry.
[website]
[website]

Day Trip to Aran Islands from Rosaveal.
[website]

Connemara National Park, Diamond Hill walk is great.
[website]

Inishlacken Island which is located at mouth of Roundstone Bay is well worth a visit. Ask Michael John Folen opposite pier in Ervallagh for boat trip over and back. Also easily accessible on a calm day by dinghy or kayak from Ervallagh Pier. Take second turn right after Gorteen.

Finnish Island just east of Carna can be accessed on foot at very low tide and is a beautiful island to explore. Watch the tides carefully so that you don’t get stranded.

Killary Harbour and Delphi Valley Drive, some of the best scenery in Ireland. For added beauty take the Inagh Valley route from just before Recess. “The Field” pub in Leenane does good pub food.

Hill walking and mountains
Errisbeg between us and Roundstone is a relatively short climb, though a little steep in places. Easy access at ‘No Dogs’ gate, and obey the sign. Amazing views from summit. It is also possible to walk from the gate to Roundstone over the mountain or just follow wall on your right when you enter gate – finish with a bowl of seafood chowder and a pint in O’Dowd’s.

The Twelve Bens are very popular for climbing with incredible views. – The ‘Horse Shoe’ is a popular full day walk and takes in about 6 of the 12 peaks. Go properly prepared for all weather conditions, even on a fine day.
There are many other mountains in Connemara to be climbed. Walking guides available in local shops.

Restaurants
Vaughan’s Roundstone House Hotel, very god food, if you can get in.
ph: 095 35847
[website]

O’Dowd’s Bar and Restaurant – excellent fresh fish
ph: 095 35847
[website]

Beola Restaurant, Eldon’s Hotel , currently closed
ph: 095 35871
[website]

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel excellent food and service.
ph: 095 31006
[website]

Mitchell’s Restaurant the best restaurant in Clifden.
ph: 095 21867
[website]

Cashel House Hotel
ph: 095 31001
[website]

Zetland Country House Hotel
ph: 095 31111
[website]

Pub Food
O’Dowd’s Bar serves excellent food all day until 9pm

Vaughan’s Roundstone House Hotel serves equally good food but only until 7pm

The Shamrock Bar in Roundstone now serves excellent food

Food also available in Keogh’s Bar, Ballyconneelly.

Lots of useful information here:
www.roundstone-connemara.com
www.visitconnemara.com