Our Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0

Truly fabulous home situated on the Bog Road that crosses the famous Roundstone Bog conservation area. This is a fisherman’s haven, family friendly, golfers perfect getaway.

This stunning home offers panoramic views of The Twelve Bens mountain range and is located 3 miles from Clifden ‘the capital of Connemara’. It has been finished to a very high standard providing comfortable spacious living with all mod cons including a games room for those rainy days. Walkers and nature lovers alike are well catered for and a trip on the famous Sky Road is simply a must. With the beach within easy reach, and so much to do, you’ll have trouble deciding what you want to see first!

This is the perfect choice for a family, or even a group of friends to stay. With so much to do both on and off site, you are sure to fall in love with this part of County Galway. Whether you preference is for walking, fishing or golfing, they are all within easy reach, with brown trout fishing on your doorstep and the Ballinahinch River which is famous for salmon fishing within a 15 minute drive away. If golf is your game then you could be teeing off within 20 minutes at the Connemara golf club. Shop, Pub & Restaurant 3 miles away. Beach 5 miles.

Ground floor:

Large entrance hall

Bright, spacious and homely sitting room with comfy couches, large flat screen TV, spectacular mountain views. Perfect room to relax in the evening after a fun filled day touring Connemara

Bright and spacious fully fitted kitchen with all modern appliances, breakfast bar, dining area with dining table overlooking the 12 Ben mountains and garden area.

Utility room with separate washing machine and dryer.

Separate WC, door leading to the side of the house.

Large master bedroom with king and single beds, wardrobe, dressing table and window to the front and back of the property. Ensuite shower room.

Bedroom 2: Double bedroom with window overlooking the front of the house. Ensuite shower room.

Bedroom 3: Double bedroom with windows overlooking the front of the house.

Separate bathroom with bath and shower overhead.

Stairs leading to the top floor:

Fantastic room for kids -they will just love this den. Large TV with Playstation 2, 2 comfy bean bag stools, mini pool table, table soccer/air hockey & jukebox. Great place for kids on a rainy day.

The nearest bar & restaurant is the Ardagh, excellent food and cosy bar. We can arrange a baby sitting service upon request.

The nearest shops, supermarkets, restaurants & large selection of lively pubs with traditional and modern music are in Clifden, the Capital of Connemara.

Clifden town ‘the Capital of Connemara’ is oozing history, heritage, culture & traditions of Irish Music and Dance. This vibrant town has an array of shops selling top quality gifts, trinket souvenirs and handmade knits but to name a few! You will also find boutiques, antique shops and art galleries. There are cosy coffee shops, pubs from the genuine ‘quaint-Irish’ to the more trendy where entertainment is plentiful. Whatever your taste in music you will find a selection of traditional, modern music and dance. Clifden has a reputation for the West’s ‘Gourmet Capital’ – for its fine restaurants. Take the kids to the town playground where they can have fun on the swings or have a kick about in the pitch beside it!

A must visit is the ruins of the old D’Arcy mansion, Clifden Castle. Along the Sky Road is a gateway leading to the castle. Once a Gothic Mansion, the D’Arcy’s lived here until 1850 when the estate was sold to the Eyre Family who lived here at intervals until the castle fell into ruin in the early 20th century.

There are many fine festivals to enjoy throughout the year in Connemara. Most full of music, dance, fun, laughter, activities and games for the young and the young-at-heart. The most well known and oldest of all is the Clifden Community Arts Festival which offers a superb range of poetry readings, lectures, recitals, traditional music, concerts and comedy

At the summit of the Sky Road peninsula there is Eyrephort beach at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

For those Rainy Days, the Station House Theatre shows the latest movies throughout the week. The theatre also runs live family friendly shows suitable for all ages throughout the summer season. The Station House Leisure Centre have 3 day and weekly passes available for visitors to purchase, which allow you access to the hotel’s gym, swimming pool, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi!

Why not visit Dan O’Haras homestead (8 minute drive from Clifden town on the N59); an award winning heritage centre which offers a fascinating glimpse of rural Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century. Visitors can enjoy a carriage ride through the centre and see demonstrations of turf cutting, sheep herding and other traditional tasks.

Explore Connemara on an electric bike which can be hired from All Things Connemara (on Market Street) or take part in a bike tour with Connemara Cycling Tours (also on Market Street)

Clifden Friday Market takes place every Friday on Market Square where you will find a wide variety of producers selling their fresh produce to the general public. Be sure to arrive early, as most of the produce and stalls are gone by noon. There’s a good selection of organic vegetables, homemade breads, pies, herbs, fruits, flowers, plants and some clothing.

Clifden has probably the best fishing waters in Europe. The scenery in this area is spectacular on land and at sea with a great variety of seabirds and wildlife, including seals and dolphins. Why not spend the day sea angling? Pack a picnic and spend the day on the beautiful briny sea! Call John at the Celtic Queen on 095-21069 or on 0862484674

Approximately, 4km from Clifden Town Centre, you will find a delightful Pitch and Putt course, which is suitable for all ages and a great activity that the whole family will enjoy!

Connemara has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland ‘Connemara is a savage beauty’ Oscar Wilde. Connemara’s landscape will take your breath away, golf competitions and horse riding on wonderful open grassland. . Boat races, regattas, music festivals, marathons, activity events all take place throughout the year.

Fishing & Sea Angling

For decades, fishing was the primary industry in Roundstone. With it’s naturally sheltered harbour and easy access to the open waters, it was a fishing village for much of the last two centuries. Now however, the commercial fishing industry has changed a lot over the years and it is not the prominent base that it used to be. It still has a small fishing fleet concentrating mainly on Cod, Haddock, Plaice, Crab, Shrimp and Lobster. It can offer plenty of good coastal fishing sites along its rocky and sandy shoreline.

Roundstone harbour has an abundance of Mackerel shoals in the summer. Dog’s Bay and Gurteen beaches are good for flatfish while the headland further out offers good fishing for Pollack, Gurnard and Conger Eel. A boat can be chartered for a days fishing from the harbour in Roundstone village and will bring you to excellent Cod, Ling, Ray, Mackerel, Wrasse, Turbot, Dogfish and even Shark locations.

There are numerous rivers and lakes around Roundstone which offer the fresh water angler opportunities to catch Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Eels. Permits have to be obtained in order to fish some of the lakes and rivers, more information can be found at G. Stanley & Son, Market Street, Clifden.

Sea Angling Charters on board The Lady Marilyn

Why not enjoy a day out fishing?

Take a short trip and visit the nearby islands. You can enjoy a day of birdwatching or seal watching can also be arranged.
Charter a boat by the day or have a leisurely evening cruise on the sheltered waters around our coast.

A 40ft Lochin with twin 350hp Volvo engines. Full Irish Department of the Marine Safety Certificate. Licensed to carry 12 anglers plus 2 crew. All the latest “Furno” electronics including colour plotter, radar fish finder and VHF Radio.

Fishing trips suitable for all

Weekly, weekends, daily or evening charter available. Two or three day trip to the Aran Islands or to Inishbofin a speciality. Daily Sailings at 10am and return at 6pm. Evening trips 6.30pm and return at 9pm, depending on demand.

Contact: Pat Conneely
Telephone: +353 (0)95 35952
Mobile: +353 (0)86 8305952
Email: roundstoneangling@hotmail.com
Website: www.seaanglingwest.net

Cycling

Being on the sea is an advantage and a disadvantage from a cyclist’s point of view. The advantage is the vistas and variety whereas the disadvantage is that there aren’t really that many roads but, nevertheless, there are a few good routes around the Roundstone area.

Tour de Bog

This is a circular tour from Roundstone usually done via Ballyconneely and taking the Bog Road back to Roundstone. It is a superb route of 20 miles/32km with a few little hills but giving a wide variety of views.

Because it goes around 360 degrees you can be assured of having the wind in your face at least part of the way. If the wind is from the north, then this would have the advantage of being behind you on the last few miles back into Roundstone, which is always a pleasure, but if it is from the prevailing south west that means you have it behind you going up towards Ballinaboy, and you would usually be a little bit more sheltered against a south west breeze coming in from Toombeola on the last few miles.

The winner in the annual Tour de Bog race could expect to take as little as two hours, but that is not allowing any time for some enjoyment along the way. On a fine day from an enjoyment point of view, it would probably be best to go anti clockwise, bringing your togs with you as this would give you the option of a swim either along the shore at Mannin Bay or in Gurteen and Dogs Bay.

Interesting side excursions can be taken at Ballyconneely out to Bunowen or Doonloughan, with lovely swimming opportunities all along the route.

The Round of Carna

Go north from Roundstone to Toombeola, then east through Cashel to the R340 to Carna. Go right [south] towards Carna a few hundred yards and take a left over a very little travelled road which comes out at Derryrush. Here turn right [south] to Kilkieran and continue to Carna. The quickest way back from here is straight up to the R340 for 7.5 miles/12km, turning left for Cashel and back to Toombeola. From Carna back to Roundstone is approximately 42 miles/67km and this delightful route allows for a number of off route excursions.

From Carna, follow the signs for Mweenish Island which is actually a series of islands joined by causeways. It is full of little beaches and interesting swimming places as well as having spectacular views.

From Carna, you can take the loop that goes around the coast through Moyrus, which rejoins the R340 at Glinsk. This quite spectacular little addition adds about 5 miles to the journey, but is very worthwhile.

About half way between Kilkieran and Carna, you can take a road down to the coast and if you properly judge it you can get out to walk Finish Island. Please note that the Ordnance Survey map [Sheet 44] in this regard is incorrect, in that it shows the stretch of land between the island and the mainland in yellow indicating that it is a beach safe to go across at all times. This is not in fact the case, in that for considerable periods of time the beach is underwater and you could quite easily get trapped on the island.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS IN AND AROUND THE CONNEMARA AREA, PLEASE BROWSE THE “THINGS TO DO” SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE

“Great holiday in Connemara – We absolutely enjoyed our stay in White Thorn House near Clifden. The landscape around the house is absolutely stunning and we could visit lots of fantastic places. The house is well equipped with everything we needed.
We could definitely consider coming back and staying in White Thorn House again. Therefore we can absolutely recommend it.” Alexandra August 2022

“A very clean house in a good location – A very well equipped house that is very clean, well laid out and spacious. Good location only a few minutes drive from Clifden” Sophie Jul 2022

“We had a fabulous week in White Thorn House. Ideal if you want to getaway from it all.
Very comfortable, clean and a great location if you want to explore Connemara.” – Mags July 2021

“We had a wonderful time in this beautiful house in the Clifden area. We were a group of 4 adults and 3 children and had plenty of space to relax and enjoy our break away. House has every amenity you could think of and was absolutely spotlessly clean. Would highly recommend Whitethorn House and would love to stay again.” Alice June 2021

“5 Stars! A lovely property, very clean, warm and well equipped”- Geraldine June 2021

“Very nice house, very good environment. Spacious house and well equipped”-Florence August 2019

“The house is beautiful, immaculate and extremely comfortable. It’s on a beautiful quiet road, a 5 min drive into Clifden. It’s a perfect getaway, we all slept like babies, as it was so peaceful. Martin, the host was so helpful and welcoming and provided everything and more that we need, included Milk, tea and cookies on arrival after a long drive from Dublin. A perfect house and I’m fussy. So clean, comfortable and spacious. A home from home.”-Yvonne June 2019

“The charming house is big, nice, comfortable, well-equipped and located in an idyllic setting! Our stay near Clifden was perfect! Thank you very much for all.”-Thomas June 2019

“Visit to Clifden to enjoy the Arts festival. The White Thorn House was easy to find on the Bog Road outside Clifden. The accommodation was excellent and it was very good having two ensuite shower rooms! Martin had kindly left a starting supply of milk,tea and shortbread –thanks!! We didn’t have any children with us but we were all parents and agreed that the upstairs room would have been brilliant to keep children happy. It was fun watching the cows wandering around outside and had the weather been better we would have enjoyed the patio with table and chairs. We would definitely visit the White Thorn House again.”- Trevor September 2018

“It was a beautiful house surrounded by beautiful scenery just outside of Clifden town”-Pa May 2018

FREE WIFI

Strictly no pets

Strictly No Pets allowed as the owner is highly allergic and cannot accept for this reason.

Linen & Towels are inclusive in the rental rate.

Check-in time is strictly  between 4pm & 6pm (If you require a later check-in time please let us know)

During peak season changeover days are Saturdays

Check-out time is strictly 10am on day of departure.

Please note that €100 security deposit is required upon arrival. As long as there are no breakages or damage to the property this will be refunded on departure

Please note that most restaurants & cafes in the area have free internet access.

Strictly no smoking.