Oughterard, The Gateway to Connemara.
Oughterard (pop 1,800) is just a 35 minute drive from Galway, and the road from
Oughterard to Connemara via Maam Cross and on to Cong or Clifden is a spectacular
scenic drive. This makes Oughterard the perfect location to base your exploration of
stunning Lough Corrib and beautiful wild Connemara National Park.
You must not miss the opportunity to explore this incredible natural wonder.
#History of Oughterard and more from our wonderful #Oughterard Heritage
STOP PRESS
You must inspect the UNESCO Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark
#https://joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie/en/
Stop for a moment - Think Slow Travel
You cannot 'do' Connemara in 2 or 3 days, there is just too much to see
Ideally take your time - get out of the car - explore our natural wonders
You will need at least 4/5 full days and you will love it!
SCROLL DOWN FOR PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO
Oughterard Village. Food, Drink, Music.
Music: Check the pavement A-boards outside the pubs for details of
upcoming music in the evenings.
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Clancy's Camp Street - It's NEW! We hear it's open for excellent breakfast and brunch as
well 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!
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SULLIVANS Country Grocer, an artisan bakery, grocery & deli. are passionate about good
food and about the environment. Everything they do is to a high standard and they are passionate
that what they do, AND they have published WALKS OF OUGHTERARD - 6 beautiful walks
around our lovely village. Sullivans, to their credit have sponsored the gorgeous chainsaw
carvings that look over the Corribdale Park Walk.
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My Little Flower Coffee Shop. The baristas here know their coffee. This is the place to buy your
coffee. It's cosy too, you must pop in!
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Oughterard Bookshop & Cafe This is a fascinating place to visit. Eoin has a beautiful display
of books with an Irish theme to browse and purchase but they have a 1st floor dedicated to
a presis of the important personalities of Irish history.
This is a must visit for history buffs. Very interesting! Take your time to explore.
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Powers Thatch, Bar & Restaurant
Traditional Irish Thatched Bar situated in the heart of Oughterard village. Offers a friendly cosy
atmosphere and live music, serving wholesome Irish food. Popular established bar and
restaurant.
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Connerara Greenway Cafe & Restaurant Excellent food and drink at fair prices. It's a small
restaurant that punches above its weight. The locals love it and so will you! Excellent!
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Camp Street Cafe Fish & Chips, Burgers and Pizza. Basic traditional type cafe.
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Keogh's Bar This is a lively bar and you wont be alone for long! If your lucky you will
experience genuine Irish Rock especially at weekends.
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Faherty's Bar Camp Street Faherty’s Bar is a traditional Irish pub with warm and friendly
atmosphere, with four big screens showing all major sporting events.
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Anglers Bar You will find this interesting bar on the Main Street. If you are old enough
it will remind you of the 1950's although the beer is good and fresh. It's difficult to describe but
it 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!
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Marinas Takeaway The Pizza reviews are fairly good, judge for yourself.
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SPECIALIST SHOPS, ART & ANTIQUES
Standum, Main Street, Oughterard
This is a beautiful shop selling high quality hand made clothes, Aran sweaters and really stylish
men'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!
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This is a quaint and fascinating gift shop and well worth a visit. Much of the content will
surprise 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
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Beautiful Contemporary Ceramics created in Connemara by Louise
Browne. All her products are produced from her Studio in Oughterard, using actual impressed floral
details, impressed designs and smocked fabrics in Porcelain with her own handmade glazes.
Absolutely beautiful designs you will love! Great for a rainy day visit!
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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!
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This unique antiques shop is in the old Officers Mess on Main Street. You can't miss it - it's the green
corrigated metal building as you enter the village.
You must pop in! Don't be afraid!
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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 grapes
and 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 and
some expert history of the castle included in your modest entry fee. It's Unique & Magnificent!
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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 lake
formed in the Ice Age and contains hundreds of islands, the most famous of which is
Inchagaoill. This beautiful lake is served by 2 passenger cruisers operated by Corrib Cruises. You
will 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 - the
Captain is a wonderful storyteller!
OUGHTERARD, Pier Road Oughterard Pier SAILING TIMES - between 13 June - 6 Sept.
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Sailing on Saturdays, Sundays & Wednesdays from Oughterard Pier..... .
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Departure at 12 noon
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Boarding from 11:45am.
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Duration: Approximately 6 Hours of magic - YOU WILL LOVE IT
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Price: Adults - €40.00, Children under 16 - €20.00
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Don't forget to book in advance.
Sailings from Cong and Lisloughry Harbour - please check their web site for sailing times.
Advance Booking is advised. Book online above or call +353 (0) 87 283 0799
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11 BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN CONNEMARA
The gardens of Connemara are well-known for their beauty, variety and uniqueness. Rain, soft
sunshine and the warmth of the Gulf Stream combine to make ideal conditions for the creation
of magnificent and magical gardens. The general landscape varies greatly throughout the region from
the 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.
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If you like a faster mode of water travel then you will enjoy an
exhiliarating 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 choose
from. 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, you
know you'll be in safe hands with our Skippers. Bespoke trips can be arranged as well.
Check it out - Exciting!
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We think this is a jewel in the crown of Connemara. The hotel is set in a private
estate 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 garden
are no less than stunning. We love to spend a whole day here - its glorious!
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Connemara National Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of
bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands in County Galway. Some of the National Park’s
mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous
Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range.
Opened to the public in 1980, the National Park includes lands that once formed part of
the Kylemore Abbey Estate, the Letterfrack Industrial School, and the private property of
Richard ‘Humanity Dick’ Martin, who helped to form the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals. Learn more about our walking trails, unique habitats and our beautiful flora and
fauna.
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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 your
guide 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 call
to arrange your special day out. and Just DO IT!
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Experience woodland and lakeshore walks, magnificent buildings and
Ireland’s largest Walled Garden. Enjoy wholesome food and delicious home-baking in our
Café or Garden Tea House. History talks take place three times a day in the Abbey and tours
of the Walled Garden take place throughout the summer. Browse our Craft and Design
Shop for unique gifts including Kylemore Abbey Pottery and award-winning chocolates
handmade by the Benedictine nuns. Discover the beauty, history, and romance of
Ireland’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
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Offers private and group horse riding lessons for beginners and
experience riders with our qualified B.H.S.A.I instructors. Horse riding tuition is by Sandra
O’Donnell Lydon and her team of tutors. This is special.
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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 phone
to me Jim @ 087 7565478. or info@kayakmor.ie kind regards Jim Morrissey
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Derroura Mountain Bike Trail is one of Coilltes custom built and designed trails in the beautiful
setting of Connemara in the West of Ireland. With an ever increasing interest in outdoor sports
and activities for the individual, families & groups, Coillte have invested in purpose built trails for
mountain bikers. Derroura Mountain Bike Trail Network, is over 16 km in length and lies at the
gateway to Connemara. Their base is close to our village. The track is very narrow in places and
only suitable for experts. It's advisable to call the location first.
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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!
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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 area
and admire the diverse landscapes on a private guided excursion. This suits most fitness levels
so do ask their advice. Bespoke tours are a speciality, just ask! Fascinating!
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Walking, Hiking and Mountain Bike Trails
around Oughterard, are a wonderful way to explore
and wonder at the incredible scenery of Connemara. Take advice from the experts on how best to
go about this dependent on your ability. For the adventurous!
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Quite amazing to walks under the massive wind turbines and get a taste of
the future methods of generating our electricity, and even more amazing to see the fabulous views
of Connemara. Yes, it is amazing and all free!
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Oughterard Golf Club
Oughterard Golf Club, is a magnificent intenational championship grade golf course on the edge
of town. This is a spectacular and beautiful garden golf course developed over the last 50 years
with club house, bar and Emerald Bites Restaurant and Pro shop. We think we are so lucky to
have such a Magnificent golf club in our small village. Bring your clubs with you!!
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Oughterard Courthouse Arts Programme
Our village arts and exhibition centre was built in the 1840's and has a fantastic summer
programme of exhibitions in our restored and re-purposed courthouse.
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STOP PRESS
Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark
Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark has been granted UNESCO Global
Geopark status on 23 April 2026. This is an important recognition by UNESCO
of the importance of our region. Their website provides valuable information on Where
to Go & What To Do when you plan your trip to Connemara.
When visiting Oughterard & Connemara put all your
preconceived 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' destination
But, 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 :-)!