Activities in Connemara
Where Annilaun Lodge sits upon Cashel Bay, in the wildest depths of Connemara, life adopts a confident calmness unknown in the heart of a big city.
Fauna, flora, and time itself take their cue from the unhurried peaks, the wind-still lakes and wandering rivers. Life just is. And isn’t life in Connemara just grand?
Fishing
World-class salmon and sea trout streams lie within a heartbeat of Annilaun, and we can introduce the beginner or dry-fly enthusiast to a stretch of river that flows alongside a castle before emptying into Blackhaven Bay.
Hiking and Hill-Walking
Beanna Beola, the Peaks of Beol, or 12 Bens, beckon the walker each morning from the grounds of Annilaun. Like the Alps in Switzerland, the Bens dominate this landscape, inviting and challenging any visitor with the will to walk. For a more leisurely stroll through woodlands, amidst some of the most stunning scenery on the planet, many walks begin the moment you step foot outside Annilaun Lodge. If you would like a guided walk to learn more about the local history, geology or wildlife, we can connect you to a professional guide from a nearby estate.
Horseback Riding
A quiet trek upon the gentle Connemara Pony, across stunning beaches and coastal moorlands, shows off the beauty of the Connemara landscape in a way few ever get to see. We can arrange outings and lessons from any of several riding centers in the area.
Cycling
Mountain bikes provide another incredible way to take in the seascapes, the mountains of Connemara, the invigorating air—all at a pace aimed at enjoying your surroundings to the fullest. Let us know if you’d be interested in renting bikes and we’ll put you in contact with a local provider. For the more hardcore, over 10 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails have been built at Derroura forest, near Oughterard.
Golf
A few miles west of where Alcock & Brown completed the first transatlantic flight in 1919, lie the 27 holes of the championship Connemara Golf Links at Ballyconneely. With some of the most stunning views imaginable and shouldering Aillebrack Beach, this demanding but beautiful course will challenge anyone to keep their head down and eye on the ball.
Beaches and Watersports
Two spectacular and sheltered beaches lie only a mile outside Roundstone. Gurteen Bay and Dog’s Bay attract windsurfers, kayakers and swimmers, as well as families out for a day of basking in the summer sunshine.For the more adventurous, snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving—plus other water-based activities—are a quick drive north of the Twelve Bens to Killary Harbour.
Annilaun Lodge provides an ideal base for visiting Connemara, Cashel, Roundstone, Clifden, Westport, the Aran Islands and Inishbofin.
