​Oughterard, The Gateway to Connemara.​Oughterard (pop 1,800) is just a 35-minute drive from Galway on the N59. This road continues on a spectacular scenic drive on to Maam Cross and on to Clifden, crossing Connemara. This makes Oughterard the perfect base for your exploration of stunning Lough Corrib and beautiful wild Connemara.

​​Don't miss the chance to explore this incredible natural wonder.

​

 

STOP PRESS ​

You must visit the UNESCO Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark #https://joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie/en/​​  

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​​​​Oughterard Village​. Food, Drink, & Music.  

Check the pavement A-boards outside the pubs for details of upcoming music in the evenings. ~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Clancy's Camp Street - It's NEW!  We hear it's open for excellent breakfast and brunch aswell as a good pint and music  This is a new take on an Oughterard Sports themed pub, where you will discover a wealth of information about our village and the locals. Well worth visiting!   ​~~~~~~~~~~~​​

 

SULLIVANS Country Grocer, an artisan bakery, grocery & deli. are passionate about goodfood and about the environment. Everything they do is to a high standard and they are passionatethat  what they do, AND they have published WALKS OF OUGHTERARD - 6 beautiful walksaround our lovely village. Sullivans, to their credit have sponsored the gorgeous chainsawcarvings that look over the Corribdale Park Walk.​~~~~~~~~~~~​​

 

My Little Flower Coffee Shop. The baristas here know their coffee. This is the place to buy yourcoffee. It's cosy too, you must pop in! ​​~~~~~~~~~~

 

Oughterard Bookshop & Cafe This is a fascinating place to visit. Eoin has a beautiful displayof books with an Irish theme to browse and purchase but they have a 1st floor dedicated toa presis of the important personalities of Irish history.This is a must visit for history buffs.  Very interesting! Take your time to explore.​~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Powers Thatch, Bar & Restaurant Traditional Irish Thatched Bar situated in the heart of Oughterard village. Offers a friendly cosyatmosphere and live music, serving wholesome Irish food. Popular established bar andrestaurant.​​~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Connerara Greenway Cafe & Restaurant  Excellent food and drink at fair prices.  It's a smallrestaurant that punches above its weight. The locals love it and so will you!  Excellent!​~~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Camp Street Cafe​  Fish & Chips, Burgers and Pizza. Basic traditional type cafe.​​~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Keogh's Bar  This is a lively bar and you wont be alone for long!  If your lucky you willexperience genuine Irish Rock especially at weekends.​​~~~~~~~~~~

 

Faherty's Bar Camp Street  Faherty’s Bar is a traditional Irish pub with warm and friendlyatmosphere, with four big screens showing all major sporting events.​​~~~~~~~~~~

 

Anglers Bar  You will find this interesting bar on the Main Street. If you are old enoughit will remind you of the 1950's although the beer is good and fresh. It's difficult to describe butit is popular with the locals and visitors, so it must be good! Reviews are excellent - it certainly has atmosphere and is cosy. You have to visit!​~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Marinas Takeaway  The Pizza reviews are fairly good, judge for yourself.​~~~~~~~~~~​​

 

SPECIALIST SHOPS, ART & ANTIQUES

​Standum, Main Street, Oughterard This is a beautiful shop selling high quality hand made clothes, Aran sweaters and really stylishmen's and women's clothes. Signature collections of Fashions, Aran Knitwear, Irish Gifts, Homeware and gorgeous Celtic Jewellery. Its like a treasure chest with beautiful quality hand made gifts that your loved ones will cherish.You will love it! This gets our highest recommendation!​~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Keogh's Irish GiftsThis is a quaint and fascinating gift shop and well worth a visit. Much of the content willsurprise you and make you smile and you are sure to find something you want to buy.You will be amazed by the ranges of Irish crafts, souvenirs, gifts, jewellery and knitware.You can buy anything from a thimble to a quality tweed jacket here. A Most Visit~~~~~~~~~~​​​​​​​​​

 

Living Ginger Designs Beautiful Contemporary Ceramics created in Connemara by LouiseBrowne. All her products are produced from her Studio in Oughterard, using actual impressed floraldetails, impressed designs and smocked fabrics in Porcelain with her own handmade glazes.  Absolutely beautiful designs you will love! Great for a rainy day visit! ​​~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Cara Bay Art Studio Cara love of pets and animals can be seen in her personalised and unique style paintings and videos. She teaches as well!  We think Cara has a very pragmatic approach to he r work and prices. We think she is unique. You will love Cara's art!​~~~~~~~~~~

 

​The Little Antiques Gallery This unique antiques shop is in the old Officers Mess on Main Street. You can't miss it - it's the greencorrigated metal building as you enter the village. You must pop in! Don't be afraid!​​​​​~~~~~~~~~~​​​​

 

PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO​​​​​​​​​

Aughnanure Castle. ***** Is just 10 minutes drive from us. Situated near the golf club.The castle site was controlled bythe The Ferocious O'Flaherty chieftains from around 1250 and the tower house built around 1490.It is the only intact medieval castle in Connemara that is open to the public.The site comprises the six-storey tower house itself, with crennellations, machicolations,bartizans, and carved water-spouts; an unusual double bawn enclosure with a unique round watchtower,a boat dock, and a ruined banqueting hall featuring beautiful relief carvings depicting grapesand vines.  NOTE: Closed during winter months from Nov 15 - Mar ?​This is a highly recommended and fascinating visit and you will be given a guided tour andsome expert history of the castle included in your modest entry fee.  It's Unique & Magnificent!​​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

​​Lough Corrib Cruises Don't just look at it - Get on it!Oughterard village sits on the banks of the Owenriff River which runs into Lough Corrib,the  second largest fresh water lake in Ireland.  Lough Corrib is an amazing unspoilt wild lakeformed in the Ice Age and contains hundreds of islands, the most famous of which isInchagaoill. This beautiful lake is served by 2 passenger cruisers operated by Corrib Cruises. Youwill love their tales and stories and incredible views! Cruises depart from Cong and Oughterard.- a slow cruise (6 hours) on this incredible lake is unique and not be missed - you will sail up to Inchagoill Island for a guided tour and history story -  theCaptain is a wonderful storyteller!Absolute Must Do!

 

​OUGHTERARD PIER, Pier Road Oughterard Pier SAILING TIMES - between 13 June - 6 Sept.Sailing on Saturdays, Sundays & Wednesdays from Oughterard Pier..... .Departure at 12 noonBoarding from 11:45am.Duration: Approximately 6 Hours of magic - YOU WILL LOVE ITPrice: Adults - €40.00, Children under 16 - €20.00​Don't forget to book in advance.​

 

Sailings from Cong and Lisloughry Harbour - please check their web site for sailing times.Book Your Sailing Now                            Advance Booking is advised. Book online above or call +353 (0) 87 283 0799​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​​​

 

11 BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN CONNEMARA

CONNEMARA GARDEN TRAIL​​

The gardens of  Connemara are well-known for their beauty, variety and uniqueness. Rain, softsunshine and the warmth of the Gulf Stream combine to make ideal conditions for the creationof magnificent and magical gardens. The general landscape varies greatly throughout the region fromthe stone walled farmlands to the rolling hills and fresh waters of Lough Corrib to the wild mountains and valleys. Within this landscape lie garden treasures that have been laid out by a variety of local people.These range from the 5 acre must visit  walled garden at Kylemore Abbey to some beautiful private gardens - you need to call in advance for these.​​​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Corrib Safari ​If you like a faster mode of water travel then you will enjoy anexhiliarating ride on this high powered rib which is a new attraction on the lake.​Corrib Safari offers a range of boat trips on Lough Corrib giving you several options to choosefrom. We recommend the 2 hour Inchagoill Island Safari and half day Maam Valley Safari trips.  ​Cruise along Lough Corrib at high speed in comfort and safety on board our Rigid Inflatable Boat(RIB). Licenced and equipped with the most modern safety and navigation equipment, youknow you'll be in safe hands with our Skippers. Bespoke trips can be arranged as well. Check it out - Exciting!​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​​

 

Ballinahinch Castle Hotel ​

We think this is a jewel in the crown of Connemara. The hotel is set in a privateestate of 700 acres, has a really friendly atmosphere, the food is delicious,the prices are fair, and the grounds, river, lakeside walks and beautiful walled gardenare no less than stunning. We love to spend a whole day here - its glorious!​​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

​​Connemara National Park.  ​

Connemara National Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses ofbogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands in County Galway. Some of the National Park’smountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famousTwelve Bens or Beanna Beola range.Opened to the public in 1980, the National Park includes lands that once formed part ofthe Kylemore Abbey Estate, the Letterfrack Industrial School, and the private property ofRichard ‘Humanity Dick’ Martin, who helped to form the Society for the Prevention of Crueltyto Animals. Learn more about our walking trails, unique habitats and our beautiful flora andfauna.​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Lough Corrib Adventures​ This is it!!! If you are young and adventurous this is for you. You will be one of the few!Johnny Coyne is passionate about the great outdoors and exploring the world. He is yourguide on the wild Lough Corrib, How about a days sailing with an expert, a trip through time,so exciting you will never forget it. Johnny can arrange a dipin the lake and sauna too. Give him a callto arrange your special day out. and Just DO IT!​

 

​Kylemore Abbey ​ Experience woodland and lakeshore walks, magnificent buildings andIreland’s largest Walled Garden. Enjoy wholesome food and delicious home-baking in ourCafé or Garden Tea House. History talks take place three times a day in the Abbey and toursof  the Walled Garden take place throughout the summer. Browse our Craft and DesignShop for unique gifts including Kylemore Abbey Pottery and award-winning chocolateshandmade by the Benedictine nuns. Discover the beauty, history, and romance ofIreland’s most intriguing estate in the heart of the Connemara countryside.You must visit Kylemore, it's a place you will always remember!This attraction gets 500,000 visitors a year so our advice is to get there at opening time​​​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Moycullen Riding Centre Offers private and group horse riding lessons for beginners andexperience riders with our qualified B.H.S.A.I instructors. Horse riding tuition is by SandraO’Donnell Lydon and her team of tutors. This is special.​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Kayak Tours. A 3hr half day tours cost €50 per person for 5-10 people , €60 ea. for 2-4.Family of 4, 2 x adults 2 x U16 children special €195. Booking can be made in advance by phoneto me Jim @ 087 7565478. or info@kayakmor.ie kind regards Jim Morrissey​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

​Derourra Mountain Bike Trail.​ Derroura Mountain Bike Trail is one of Coilltes custom built and designed trails in the beautifulsetting of Connemara in the West of Ireland. With an ever increasing interest in outdoor sportsand activities for the individual, families & groups, Coillte have invested in purpose built trails formountain bikers. Derroura Mountain Bike Trail Network, is over 16 km in length and lies at thegateway to Connemara. Their base is close to our village. The track is very narrow in places andonly suitable for experts. It's advisable to call the location first.​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

​​Fishing, Boat Hire & Lake Guide.  Please navigate to our page Up the Corrib for more detailed information.  So good it gets it's own page. Unique and Special!​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

​​​Fat Bike Tours ​This is a highly recommended fat bike hire and tour firm.Experience the thrill that comes with riding an electric fat tyre bike whilst exploring the areaand admire the diverse landscapes on a private guided excursion. This suits most fitness levelsso do ask their advice. Bespoke tours are a speciality, just ask!  Fascinating!​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​​

 

Walking, Hiking and Mountain Bike Trails​ around Oughterard, are a wonderful way to exploreand wonder at the incredible scenery of Connemara. Take advice from the experts on how best togo about this dependent on your ability. For the adventurous!​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Galway Wind Park​​ Quite amazing to walks under the massive wind turbines and get a taste ofthe future methods of generating our electricity, and even more amazing to see the fabulous viewsof Connemara. Yes, it is amazing and all free!​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​​

 

 

 Oughterard Golf Club, is a magnificent intenational championship grade golf course on the edgeof town. This is a spectacular and beautiful garden golf course developed over  the last 50 yearswith club house, bar and Emerald Bites Restaurant and Pro shop. We think we are so lucky tohave such a Magnificent golf club in our small village. Bring your clubs with you!!​​​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

 

Oughterard Courthouse Arts Programme Our village arts and exhibition centre was built in the 1840's and has a fantastic summerprogramme of exhibitions in our restored and re-purposed courthouse.​~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

​STOP PRESS ​Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark ​Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark has been granted UNESCO GlobalGeopark status on 23 April 2026. This is an important recognition by UNESCOof the importance of our region. Their website provides valuable information on Whereto Go & What To Do when you plan your trip to Connemara.​​​​​​​

 

When visiting Oughterard & Connemara put all yourpreconceived ideas aside and...​

THINK... S  l  o  w    t r a v e l​​and then​​​R  E  L  A  X  If you thought of 2 or 3 days to cram it all in, that's not enough!  Double that and you will go home happy!https://www.worldpackers.com/articles/why-slow-travel​​

Connemara is a 'Coolcation' destinationBut, bring a hat,  sun screen, midge protection and a rain jacket for the outdoors as we havent got a clue what the weather will be like :-)!​​​​​​​​​​