ROUNDSTONE : Pubs and Restaurants, Fishing Harbour, Hill Walks, Traditional musical instrument work shop. World famous beaches Dogs Bay and Gorteen
Highlights: Traditional sailing boat regatta, Macdarra Island Festival, Pony Show, Dog Show, Beaches.
Roundstone is a picturesque coastal village located south of Clifden. It is situated on the R341 road, which runs along the scenic Connemara coastline, and is about 47 miles northwest of Galway City. The village is situated on the shores of Roundstone Bay, which is sheltered by the rugged Connemara landscape. The bay is dotted with small islands, the largest of which is Inishnee, and is a popular destination for sailing and other water-based activities.
One of the main attractions of Roundstone is its stunning natural beauty. The village is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, including the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range, which provides a dramatic backdrop to the village. The area is also home to several beautiful beaches, including Gurteen Beach and Dog’s Bay, which are popular with visitors and locals alike
Roundstone has a rich cultural heritage and is home to a number of traditional music and dance events throughout the year. The village also has a strong connection to the arts, with several artists and craftspeople living and working in the area. There are a number of galleries and craft shops in the village, where visitors can see and purchase locally-made art and crafts.
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The Roundstone Year
There is a lot happening in Roundstone Village throughout the year. There is a well attended Reggata and the Connemara Pony, Dog and Sheep show which is designed to include all the family and pets as well! In September there is the Marconi Marathon along the bog road towards Clifden.
If you enjoy locally sourced food the Roundstone Country Market runs on Sundays 11am-4pm from May to October. This market is set in the beautiful surroundings of Connemara. Food stalls vary from fresh veg, bread, quiche, eggs, cheeses, oysters, coffee, crepes and BBQ. If it’s crafts you’re after you will find wonderful hand-made crafts produced locally including wood products, stained glass, pottery and stone carving as well as beautiful paintings of Roundstone and the surrounding countryside.
The Roundstone Area
Dogs Bay / Gorteen Beach Roundstone
Roundstone has a rich cultural heritage and is home to a number of traditional music and dance events throughout the year. The village also has a strong connection to the arts, with several artists and craftspeople living and working in the area. There are a number of galleries and craft shops in the village, where visitors can see and purchase locally-made art and crafts.
Sting of the 80’s reggae band “The Police” had a property there and Bill Whelan (Riverdance) now resides there. It is not unusual to see members of the Irish Parliament and TV personalities such as Monty Hall who spent many months here filming a TV series about the area and marine environment in 2010. More recently a crime drama “North Sea Connection” was filmed here, adding more interest to the area.
The village has the atmosphere of a fishing village and still retains its distinct culture as a community in this part of Ireland. Every summer Roundstone Celebrates it marine history by hosting a regatta of traditional work boats of the region these boat are called Hookers, Pucain, and Gleoiteoigs which have been lovingly revived and restored.
There is a lot happening in Roundstone Village throughout the year. There is a well attended Reggata and the Connemara Pony, Dog and Sheep show which is designed to include all the family and pets as well! In September there is the Marconi Marathon along the bog road towards Clifden.
If you enjoy locally sourced food the Roundstone Country Market runs on Sundays 11am-4pm from May to October. This market is set in the beautiful surroundings of Connemara. Food stalls vary from fresh veg, bread, quiche, eggs, cheeses, oysters, coffee, crepes and BBQ. If it’s crafts you’re after you will find wonderful hand-made
crafts produced locally including wood products, stained glass, pottery and stone carving as well as beautiful paintings of Roundstone and the surrounding countryside
Visit Michael Killeen Park where you will fine a number of craft workshops. One in particular where the owner Malachy Kearnes makes Bodhrans and wooden flutes (bodrahn.com). Botanists will find a number of rare plants in the area of Special Scientific Interest including rare heathers which grow nowhere else in Ireland. Stretching inland blanket bog is a site of international scientific interest. Here also there are many lakes where brown trout can be caught. There are a number of great pubs and restaurants catering for all tastes and one is famous for its delicious chowder. Which one? You will have to come here and find out ! . A short drive away Ballynahinch Castle Hotel has a salmon fishery. There is also a bar where you can relax in the historic surroundings.
Overall, Roundstone is a charming and welcoming village that offers visitors a unique insight into the culture and beauty of Ireland’s west coast.
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