The Locality

The busy Carraroe peninsula on the northern stretches of Galway Bay overlooks an Atlantic inlet crowded with islands. The area is typical of the intensely crenulated Connemara coast, with dry stone walls and boggy fields, and big skies.

A drive or cycle around the deeply indented coastline reveals many beaches of staggering beauty, and some of golden coral. You will also discover quirky little fishing harbours which provide sanctuary from the huge Atlantic swells.

The local village of Carraroe has a small supermarket, a great Fish & Chip shop and a couple of cosy pubs. 

This is a Gaeltacht area, meaning that the thriving local community speak Irish on a daily basis.

There are four summer schools here that teach Irish to secondary-school students from all over Ireland. It is also a centre for the Irish-language media, with the Irish-language radio station, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta located in nearby Casla, and the Irish-language television station, TG4, just a few kilometres east. Church services are conducted in Irish, as are all school and daily cultural activities.

Keep your eyes open for the hardy Connemara Pony whose exact origins are uncertain. A breed collected internationally, they are known for their athleticism, versatility and good disposition, well suited to these semi barren peninsulas.

The house is just 40 minutes’ drive from Galway City, the capital of the west of Ireland and second only to Dublin in yearly visitors. With its charming streets, restaurants and nightlife mixed with culture, traditional Irish music and activities for all the family, it is worth a visit.

State-of-the-art Production and Recording Facilities in the Connemara Gaeltacht

Stiuideo Cuan is a special Music Production Studio with one of the loveliest recording rooms in the country. It is equipped with excellent facilities to ensure the highest quality for all types of sessions. 24 minutes away by car.

Fíbín Media is an award winning, Television Production Company that have a purpose-built television studio in Galway. 9 minutes away by car.
They also have a mobile recording studio that is available to rent.

At the end of August, Carraroe hosts one of the largest annual regattas for Galway Hooker boats – a distinctive form of traditional Irish fishing boat. Some of these sailing boats with their conspicuous rust-coloured sails are berthed at Sruthán Pier. The boats can accommodate heavy loads and was in active service until the 1950′s ferrying supplies, turf and livestock to and from the Aran islands.

Nowadays they are mainly used in competitions racing, and there are several regattas along the Connemara coast. The infamous Aran Islands at the mouth of Galway Bay are famed for their dramatic cliffs and distinctive knitted jumpers. The three islands have maintained the culture and heritage of traditional Irish life, and fascinate the thousands of visitors who make the journey every year.

They can be reached by ferry from Rossaveal which is on the opposite side of the bay – just 7 minutes away by car – or by plane from Connemara Airport, which is just 10 minutes away by car. The boat trip takes 40 minutes and you can bring a bike, or hire one there.

The spectacular semi-circular stone fort of Dun Aengus – reckoned to be about 2,500 years old – backs onto a 90 metre cliff and is considered one of the most important pre-historic sites in Western Europe. Not to be missed.

On your way to Galway City you’ll pass through Spiddal, a picturesque seaside village and one of the largest Irish speaking settlements in the Galway Gaeltacht. There is a unique Craft Village there, and a selection of pubs where most weekends you can catch a “live trad” night.

It has two south-facing beaches connected by a scenic walking / cycling path. The rocks behind the pier, and the pier itself, are used for shore angling when the mackerel shoals.