Oughterard is The Gateway to Connemara.
Oughterard is just a 35 minute drive from Galway and the road from Oughterard to Maam Cross
and on to Clifden is now an improved 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
Oughterard Village Food & Drink
My Little Flower Coffee Shop. The baristas here know their coffee. This is the place to buy your coffee. You must pop in!
Oughterard Bookshop & Cafe This is a fascinating place to visit. Not only do Pat & Mary have 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.
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!
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
Clancy's Camp Street - It's NEW! We hear its open for beakfast lunch and dinner as well as a good pint and music This is a new take on an excellent themed pub, where you will discover a wealth of information about our village and the locals. Well worth visiting! Really Excellent!
Keogh's Bar This is a lively bar and you wont be alone for long! If your lucky you will experience genuine Irish Rock!
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
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!
Camp Street Cafe Fish & Chips, Burgers and Pizza. Basic traditional type cafe.
Places to Visit - Things to Do
Aughnanure Castle. Situated near the golf club, the castle site was controlled by
the O'Flaherty chieftains from around 1250 and the tower house built around 1490.
Today 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. What on earth are these you may ask?
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. Magnificent!
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 over hundreds of islands, the most famous of which is Inchagaoill. This beautiful lake is served by 2 passenger cruisers operated by experts. You will love their tales and stories and incredible views!
- a slow cruise (6 hours) on this incredible lake is unique and not be missed! Absolute Must Do!
OUGHTERARD SAILINGS
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Sailing on Saturdays and Wednesdays from Saturday June 21st and ending on Saturday, September 13th
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Departure at 12 noon
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Boarding from11:45am.
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Duration: Approximately Six Hours
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Price: Adults - €35.00, Children - €15.00
Booking is advised. Book online or call 087 283 0799
Corrib Safari. 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
Talk to them! Exciting!
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.
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!
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. Just DO IT!
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 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!
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!
Galway Wind Park 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!
Golf Club
Oughterard Golf Club, is a magnificent 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 restaurant. Magnificent!
Ceramics, Art & Antiques
Living Ginger Designs 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! Beautiful designs!
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! You will love Cara's art!
This unique antiques shop is in the old Officers Mess on Main Street. You must pop in!
When visiting 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 the sun screen too!