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Roundstone
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The village of
Roundstone and its pier was built in the 1820s by Scottish engineer
Alexander Nimmo. It lies on the western arm of Bertraghboy bay in
Connemara, County Galway 77km north-west of Galway city.
Roundstone is perhaps the most picturesque fishing harbour in
Connemara. The village is beautifully set on one of the most
spectacular coastal drives in Europe overlooking the Atlantic at the
foot of Errisbeg Mountain. In 1835 a Franciscan Monastery was
established in Roundstone and by the 1840’s 75 houses had been built
and the village supported an active fishing industry and a
population of some 400 people.
In Roundstone today you will find a busy little harbour, where local
fishermen prepare and return with the day's catches of lobster,
crab, crayfish and mackerel, cod plus a variety of other fish. The
town itself boasts a good selection of bars and seafood restaurants
crammed full of locally caught seafood. Strolling through the town
you will discover some fantastic craft shops and cafés. Roundstone
has also been described many times as a "botanist's delight" as many
wild flowers, rare to Ireland, are found in the area.
Roundstone is known as a home for creativity and the arts. For many
years some of the most important figures in Irish Art have painted
there, including Paul Henry, Jack B. Yeats, Gerard Dillon and Nano
Reid. The village has a traditional craft centre and local
activities include pottery, jewellery and instrument making.
Visitors are drawn to the annual arts festival which showcases many
of Ireland’s well known artists performing and working alongside
local artists.
Overall Roundstone is
a fine holiday resort - artists, botanists, sailors and sea anglers
can all indulge themselves here, while nearby Gurteen and Dog's Bay
will please the most avid beach person. The hill climber will also
feel at home here, for Roundstone lies beneath Errisbeg Mountain, an
easy climb for most, with fantastic views of sea, lakes and
mountains waiting as a reward.
The Roundstone Regatta is the premier event for water sports in
Connemara. Held each July it features the The Galway Hooker and The
Currach in races around the bay
Alcock and Brown, the first non-stop transatlantic fliers, crash
landed in the blanket bog between Roundstone and Clifden |
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Roundstone Holiday Homes - County Galway, Ireland