Welcome to…. What to do, what to see, and where to eat! Note: This information is not exhaustive. Please ask for further information by telephoning: 09155 2514, or using mobile with a non Irish, European Sim Card: 00353 9155 2514, or a U.S.A. Sim Card: 011 353 9155 2514. CONNEMARA COUNTRY COTTAGES Timeshare and Rental Resort General view of the resort: l to r, in foreground, semi-detached cottages, Ben Brack and Ben Gower, adjacent to right is Corrib, in background, Mask and Agraffard, and to right Boffin Boffin Living room, as in Bofin, Agraffard and Mask Agraffard Corrib Living room En suite master bedroom CONNEMARA COUNTRY COTTAGES AROUND AND ABOUT OUGHTERARD Oughterard is a small and welcoming village, with a relaxed lifestyle, considered as the Gateway to Connemara and said to be the fishing capital of Ireland. Lough Corrib has an international reputation for its fine brown trout. Trout fishing usually commences in mid-May to June, during the Mayfly season. The village provides places to eat and drink and for those who self cater, two supermarkets. A useful website is: www.oughterardtourism.com which will allow you to expand on this brief survey. There are many awe inspiring views of interest in the immediate area. In fact at the bottom of the county road, leading from the cottages, there is the Quiet Man Bridge, built as a set for the iconic film, The Quiet Man. The view is as scenic as the director of the film intended. The ‘Quiet Man’ Bridge In Oughterard, the old bridge which carries the N59 road to Galway over the Owenriff River, is a spot to watch fly fishermen and, in season, the salmon and trout jumping. Four miles on the Glann Road is the Hill of Doon. The water fall on the Owenriffe. Some two miles from the cottages, on the way to Oughterard there are Glengowla Mines, which in the early 19th century produced Silver and Lead until it was exhausted and left to flood. The current owners of the land saw the potential for tourism. Several years ago they pumped it out. Easy access has been facilitated, and at the same time the realistic atmosphere has been preserved. Some of the old ladders, platforms and equipment remain. It is educational and fascinating for all the family. It is a microcosm of 19thcentury rural Irish industry, with all its hardship. Proprietor: Keith Geoghegan. Tel: 091-552360 or 091-552021, Mobile: 087252 9850. Website: www.glengowlamines.ie Ask Resort Manager for special entry fees or for out of season entrance. Special feature available – a lesson in handling sheep dogs! About two miles from Oughterard towards Galway, off a side road, is the well preserved fortification of Aughnanure Castle. Its keep and outer walls, which once dominated the approaches to Oughterard from attack by marauders sailing the large expanse of adjacent Lough Corrib. The castle stood sentinel over the lands of its feudal owners, the O’Flahertys who built it in the 15th century. GOLF Oughterard Golf Club, (6 miles) with its 18 hole course, not far from Aughnanure Castle, it is situated at the junction with the main road, about two miles from the village. It welcomes visitors to its bar and restaurant. Tel: 091 552131 Website: www.oughterardgolfclub.com Galway Golf Club, situated at Salthill, three miles from Galway. It is a challenging 70 par, 18 hole course. Tel: 091-522033. Barna Golf Club, not far from Galway (15 miles). Tel: 091-592677/592756. Galway Bay Golf Resort, (22 miles). The par 72 PGA Championship 18 hole course, situated near Renvyle, Oranmore, is bounded, on three sides, by the Atlantic Ocean. Facilities include a Golf Academy. Visitors are welcome and there is a restaurant and bar. Tel: 091-790711. Connemara Isles Golf Club (20 Miles). This unique 9 hole island course, is situated on Annaghavane Island, Lettermore, located along the coast road some 28 miles from Galway. Tel: 091-572498. Website: www.connemaraislesgolf.com Connemara Golf Club (30 miles). This 18 hole championship course provides an easy start followed by challenges, especially the 14th and 15th holes with their elevated greens built into the hillside. Head for Clifden and then a further eight miles, south west to Ballyconneely Situated among undulating sand hills it is not for the faint hearted, especially when the wind is strong as it is adjacent to the open ocean. There is a welcome at the Bar and Restaurant. Tel: 095-23502. Website: www.connemaragolflinks.com Brigit’s Garden Within 40 minutes drive from the cottages, through Oughterard and towards Galway, and turning to the left, as signposted, at Roscahill there is Brigit’s Garden, comprising four innovative gardens full of symbolism, representing the four Celtic cycles of the year, Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa . Wildlife gardens designed to reflect the West of Ireland landscape and managed to encourage biodiversity. For the practical gardener there are ideas for garden designs. At the end of the walk there is a restaurant, which uses produce from the garden. Features include a Nature Trail, which takes about 45 minutes to complete, a Children’s Discovery Trail, a Wind Chamber, built of stone with a stone xylophone inside with pipes set into the mound which hum in the wind, also a Ring Fort and an expansive Sun Dial. Samhain BeaB Lughnasa Brigit’ Garden,Tel. 091 550905. Website: www.brigitsgarden.ie Leisure Activities: Fishing - Oughterard is home to Ireland’s oldest angling club. Lough Corrib consists of some 44,000 acres, stretching 30 miles from Galway City. It waters yield brown trout and salmon. The open season runs from 15th February through to 30th September, with the height of the season occurring when the May Fly gives flight and there is a second ‘dapping period’ extending from July to the end of September. The Owenriff river, which flows through Oughterard, is one of the main spawning areas. Lough Mask, which is linked to Lough Corrib by underground channels and adjacent Lough Garra provides good dry fly fishing. For the course angler there is Ross lake or Ballyluirke lake, near Moycullen, on the way to Galway. Boats, with outboard engines, and guides can be hired locally. Contact, Tel Nos. 091-552121. www.lakelandanglingcentre.com Boats awaiting the fishermen on Corrib. Horse Riding – The countryside around Oughterard is ideal for pony trecking and there are riding stables available at Knockillaree Riding Centre, near Oughterard, Tel: 0879604517. Special Deal!! This is Connemara, where fine horses, Connemara ponies, and friendly faces, are all around! Moycullen Riding Centre, for instruction, trekking etc, Tel: 087 2043944. www.moycullenriding.com Walking – There are many interesting and scenic trails around the vicinity of Oughterard. Guide books can be purchased through the local Corrib Rambler Walking Club which may be contacted. Info at the Tourist Point adjacent to Boat Inn. You will be able to enjoy walks of between three and nine miles such as the Owenriff Way Walk, the Tonwee Wood Walk and The Western Way. Boating – Lough Corrib with over 65 sq miles of water and some 365 islands provides opportunities for pleasure boating. The Tourist Office should be able to advise concerning boat hire. There are also commercial boat trips from Oughterard harbour to Cong, visiting on the way, Inchagoill (the island of the stranger) with its interesting antiquities, the remains of 5th century, Patrick’s Temple, and a short distance from it, Naomph’s Temple, otherwise called the Temple of the Saints, from the 9th or 10th centuries. Also on the island is the Stone of Lugna. Lugna is said to have been the navigator and nephew of Saint Patrick. This obelisk bears an incised Roman inscription said to be the oldest Christian inscription in Europe. From Cong there are sometimes leisurely boat trips to Galway. Corrib Cruises, Tel: 91 557798, Mobile: 087 283 0799. Website: www.corribcruises.com Tennis - The community tennis court behind the Community Centre may be available and the Tourist Office can advise. Swimming – There are safe bathing places on the shore of Lough Corrib and the Tourist Office can advise as to these locations. For better bathing it is recommended that you visit one of the sandy beaches, which are at most 15 miles from the resort. Viewed in this picture at sunset, Dogs Bay and Gurteen Beach, is highly recommended. It is generally not crowded and suitable for families. The sand is soft and pure white as it is formed from shells and there is no quartz grain to make it rough underfoot. Touring around by car – The roads in Connemara are an artists dream, with many views in front and behind, mostly dominated by the 12 Pins, or Bens, as the mountains are called. If you like a good walk in interesting surroundings then you will enjoy a visit to Connemara National Park. www.connemaranationalpark.ie If you like grand houses of yesteryear then you may like to spend half a day at Kylemore Abbey. The Abbey is the oldest of the Irish Bendictine Abbeys. The community of Nuns who have lived there since 1920, have a long history, going back to their foundation in Ypres in 1682. Areas of the house are open to visitors and there are well kept gardens to view. For the energetic behind the Abbey is a steep climb to a viewing point. Not far from the Abbey is a church built 1877 - 1881 as a miniature cathedral in the Gothic style by the original owner of the house, Mitchell Henry in memory of his wife. To finish off the visit, there is a souvenir shop and café.