Roundstone Quay

10
2

Co Galway, Ireland

A pair of quayside hideaways with wonderful views and a fab location to explore Galway's coast (one for 4, one for 6)

Child friendly

Close to a beach

Dog friendly

Walk to a pub

Walk to a shop

WiFi

Woodburner

Space & setting.

Follow Galway’s wild coastal road into Roundstone as it dips down to the harbour, where stacks of lobster pots balance on the cobbles and the view stretches for miles over the emerald water and out to distant mountains. Looking out to sea, a pair of former fishermen’s cottages are now immaculate retreats, one sleeping 4, the other 6 — take both for a big family get-together or seaside escape with friends. Each sprawls over 3 floors, with light, bright and art-filled interiors. The House has a penthouse bedroom under the eaves; the Cottage comes with pops of coral pink throughout. All bedrooms face the water so you’ll wake up to dreamy sea views and nod off to the sound of waves lapping against the quay.

Everything’s on your doorstep here. Families will love crabbing on the pier and paddleboarding, whilst those with an adventurous spirit can explore stunning, windswept landscapes. An hour’s walk south will bring you to the white-sand coves of Dog’s Bay and Gurteen — or tackle one or more of the Twelve Bens Mountains for breathtaking views across Galway. Back home, settle in the windowseats to watch silver clouds race across the water before heading out for seafood at legendary O’Dowds round the corner.

Getting here: you’ll need to drive.

Anne Fernwood, Roundstone Quay

“The Quay House was our first together home and where we got married. Simon’s father lived in the Quay Cottage next door for many years. We have amazing memories of our time living here. We rebuilt the Quay House from scratch in 2009 and did a full renovation in the Cottage in 2022, but it still retains the old charm in the walls and has an amazing atmosphere. They were originally fishermen’s store houses.” Owners, Anne and Simon

My Kip favourites

They love
“Sitting on the window seats and watching the coming and going of the fishermen.”

We love
The very personal Irish artworks, including a stunning piece by Royal Hibernian Academy President Mick O’Dea (painted from the perspective of the exact spot where the owners got engaged) and beautiful framed maps of the Connemara landscape, created by the owners’ late neighbour.

You may not love
A 3/7-night minimum stay (see Specifics). You’ll need a car to get here and around. The pier can get busy in summer months so you may need to park in the village (free).

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  • "We are return visitors so the glorious fishing, beaches, food and scenery were not a surprise to us, but we enjoyed it as much we had done 5 years ago. The next generation also had a blast, crabbing and fishing off the port, paddle boarding, swimming, climbing Eris Beg, and so on. The property has been renovated since our last stay and we were all impressed, particularly with the extra touches that showed the owner's commitment to the environment."

    ?? May 2023
  • "We loved everything about our stay. Incredible local art and design. The house is practical, comfortable and beautiful, together with the best location in Roundstone - in all the action but also quietly tucked away from the madness. And the views! It’s all about the views! Everything is managed so well by gorgeous Anne. Nothing is a problem."

    July 2023

Surrounds.

  • Roundstone Quay
  • Roundstone Quay
  • Start the morning with a sourdough toastie, breakfast bowl or smoothie from the cafe on the corner and eat on the harbour wall in front of the cottage.
  • Head south to the epic horseshoe coves of Dog’s Bay and Gurteen, widely regarded as 2 of Ireland’s best beaches. The gently shelving sand means they’re perfect for swimming and paddle-boarding.
  • Pedal a stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way, a stunning 1600-mile route along Ireland’s west coast, which passes through Roundstone at its halfway point. You can hire bikes and eBikes in Clifden (they’ll drop them to your cottage for a small charge).
  • During spring and summer, boats leave daily from the pier for Inishlacken Island, a tiny, uninhabited island of idyllic sandy beaches and colonies of seals.
  • Local activities centre Real Adventures runs all sorts of coastal adventures, from coasteering and paddleboarding to sea kayaking.
  • Nearby Connemara National Park is a haven for walkers, with trails, challenging hikes and wildlife to spot. There are plenty of easy routes to follow but you can’t beat the climb up Diamond Hill for spectacular views across the Twelve Bens Mountains.
  • Take a spin along epic Sky Road, one of the UK’s most breathtaking stretches of coastal road.

Specifics.

  • 2 quayside properties in a village, next door to each other
  • House:
    • 3 bedrooms: 2 kingsize + 1 twin
    • 2 bathrooms: 1 with large walk-in shower + 1 with shower over bath; toiletries provided
  • Cottage:
    • 2 bedrooms: 1 kingsize + 1 twin
    • 1 bathroom with large walk-in shower + ensuite toilet for kingsize room; toiletries provided
  • Each has:
  • Fully equipped kitchen with basic supplies
  • Living room with woodburner (wood provided), Netflix TV, board games and books
  • Cot, high chairs and stair gates available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Park in front of the houses or in the village (both free of charge)
  • The owners and caretaker are available by phone should you need anything
  • Walk to pub, café and shops in 1 min
  • Sunday farmer’s market in the summer
  • Booking conditions: 3-night minimum stay; 1-week in summer
  • Remember to pack: beach towels, swimmers, walking boots

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30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay.

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