Accommodation at Abbeyglen
Abbeyglen provides beautiful and stylish accommodation. Each bedroom has a classic feel and each room has its own character. The 9 luxury suites are bound to make you feel like a King or Queen of the castle! Each room comes fully equipped with central heating, direct dial telephone, multi channel television, DVD player, radio, iron and trouser press, hairdryer, Tea / Coffee making facilities, complimentary toiletries and all have classic en suite bathroom and shower facilities.
The hotel have a selection of standard rooms and superior rooms available. Superior rooms are available at an additional supplement and some of these superior rooms have four poster beds, open fires or jacuzzis.
Each Standard Room comes fully equipped with:
• central heating
• direct dial telephone
• multi channel television
• radio
• iron and trouser press
• hairdryer
• and all have classic en suite bathroom and shower facilities
• Tea and Coffee making facilities
• DVD players in all rooms
• complimentary toiletries
Each Superior Room comes fully equipped with:
• central heating
• direct dial telephone
• multi channel television
• radio
• iron and trouser press
• hairdryer
• and all have classic en suite bathroom and shower facilities
• Tea and Coffee making facilities
• DVD players in all rooms
• complimentary toiletries
Each Luxury Suite comes fully equipped with:
• central heating
• direct dial telephone
• multi channel television
• radio
• iron and trouser press
• hairdryer
• and all have classic en suite bathroom and shower facilities
• Tea and Coffee making facilities
• DVD players in all rooms
• complimentary toiletries.
Dining at Abbeyglen
Abbeyglen Castle has been awarded two Rosettes from the AA for its gourmet food, and offers the very best local seafood, live lobster, a fresh catch of the day and delicious Connemara lamb. Relax, sit back and enjoy live music, friendly staff and beautiful views. The hotels provides an A la Carte and extensive table d'hôte menus, which change daily. Chefs at Abbeyglen Castle are also more than happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements you may have. Tuesday night at the Castle is Irish night. An Irish menu, written in Gaelic and serving a number of traditional dishes is provided on this night. This is accompanied by a wonderful evening of traditional Irish music and song.
The History of Abbeyglen
Abbeyglen Castle was built in 1832 by John d'Arcy of Clifden Castle. It was leased to the then parish priest as Glenowen House. In 1854 it was bought by the Irish Church Mission Society for use as a Protestant orphanage where girls were trained for domestic service. In 1953 it became a mixed orphanage housing seven boys and four girls. It was supported by donations from local patrons plus various investments. The Connemara Orphan Nurseries operated until 1955, when it closed due to financial difficulties. After its closure the building fell derelict and was home to cattle and sheep for some time!
The property was then purchased by Mr. Padraig Joyce of Clifden, and he and his wife operated the Glenowen House Hotel in the 1960s. The Hughes family took over in 1969 and have developed Abbeyglen Castle into one of Connemara’s most prestigious hotels.
Beauty & Relaxation Centre
Michelle Barry would like to welcome you to the Abbeyglen Beauty and Relaxation Centre. For all hotel guests, this centre has created a place where you can come to relax, unwind and leave the stress of everyday life behind you. Come and indulge yourself with an Indian head massage, pamper yourself with a relaxing facial, or revitalize through reflexology. Whatever your treatment the therapeutic benefits from Yon-Ka will sooth and restore you.
The following locations are in close proximity to Abbeyglen
Clifden (10 minute walk)
Set between the Atlantic Ocean, the 12 Ben Mountains and preserved boglands, lies the town of Clifden on the Coast of Connemara. There are many shopping choices in Clifden from sweater shops, quality gift shops and boutiques to antique and souvenir shops. Lunch in tea-shops, pubs and in the evenings, indulge in Clifden's emerging reputation as the West's 'Gourmet Capital' by dining in its fine restaurants. Finish the day by enjoying a tipple in the towns many pubs and hostelries, from the genuinely 'quaint-Irish' to the contemporary. Music is always easily found on your rounds.
The Connemara Region
Northwest of Galway lies the rocky, barren, but breathtakingly stunning region of Connemara. This area is one of the few remaining in Ireland where the native tongue (Gaeilge) is still fluently spoken as a first language. Stop off in the fishing village of Roundstone, where currachs, old style featherweight rowing boats are still in everyday use. The village also boasts an impressive crafts complex, selling everything from teapots and sweaters to traditional Irish music instruments. Clifden, Connemara's capital is well worth a visit and the scenic Sky Road drive just outside town should not be missed. From here travel north to see the exquisite neo-gothic Kylemore Abbey, nestled in a lush forest on the edge of Kylemore Lake. However long you spend in Connemara you will be constantly enchanted by the ever changing scenery of mountains and valleys, lakes and beaches and bays. This is Ireland's big sky country.
Westport (1 hour)
Westport is a postcard-pretty town with as lovely a main street as you'll be likely to find anywhere in Ireland. The town lies in the shadow of Croagh Patrick with Clew Bay and its 365 islands just to the west. While in Westport be sure to visit Westport House and climb at least a little of Croagh Patrick. Westport House dates from 1730 and offers everything from a dungeon to a zoo! Croagh Patrick is a 765-meter hill where St. Patrick is said to have banished the snakes from Ireland. This hill is climbed (often barefoot) by thousands of Catholic pilgrims each July. South of Westport are some stunning scenic drives leading into the Connemara region. A trip northwards will bring you to remote Achill island which is accessible by a small bridge. Even further off the beaten path is Belmullet in the northwest corner of County Mayo. Westport also boasts a great selection of traditional pubs, among them Matt Molloy's of the Chieftains.
Achill Island (1.5 hours)
Achill Island is the largest island in Ireland at 60 square miles and is accessible from the mainland by a land bridge. Here you can visit the quaint villages of Dooagh and Dooega, the high cliffs at Slievemore and Minaun and the magnificent beaches at Keel and Keem, under Achill Head. No visit to the Island would be complete without taking a journey of scenic splendour on the famous Atlantic Drive which circuits the island. Achill's beautiful unspoiled, remote scenery and clear waters make it ideally suited for the outdoor person. You can explore the island's peaceful countryside with a beach walk, hill walk, or even a road walk! You can rent bicycles on the island if you would like to cover more distance. You can climb the highest mountain on the island, Mt. Slievemore (about 1800 feet), with ease and have a remarkable view of the area, or opt take a walk up the third highest point, Mt. Minaun and walk along the Minaun cliffs.
Galway City (1.5 hours)
In a recent nationwide survey the people of Galway were found to be Ireland's happiest! And visiting Galway City, the capital of their county it is not hard to see why. It is a lively university city of narrow streets, quaint shopfronts, bustling pubs and stunning surrounding scenery. It has always attracted a bohemian mix of musicians, artists and intellectuals and that attitude is palpable as you walk the streets. Galway has been commercially important since the 11th century when it was a centre for trade with Spain and Portugal. In 1477 Christopher Columbus paid a visit. Galway earned the title “City of the Tribes” around that time, when it was ruled by 14 wealthy merchant families. Today it is lively, with loads of things to do, and is so popular that it can get very crowded in summer, especially during the annual Galway Races. The annual Arts Festival also attracts thousands, especially for its street parade, organized by the multi-award winning production company, Macnas. Its famous Druid Theatre produces and stages plays and has toured internationally, winning awards, including Tonys on Broadway.
