Thursday, July 26, 2018

Connemara July 2018

We've recently returned from a fun and relaxing week in Ireland, we spent the best part of five days in the west of Ireland in Connemara.  Before heading off to the west we enjoyed a couple of days with family in Dublin. During that time we spent some time on the beach at Brittas Bay in County Wicklow. If you're staying in Dublin and fancy escaping to the beach, Brittas is only about an hours drive away.

Brittas Bay
 

Our destination in Connemara was Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel situated as the name suggests on the shore of Lough Inagh. It's a relatively easy drive to get there, roughly two hours from Dublin to Galway then another hour and a half to Lough Inagh. Once you get to the other side of Galway the scenery changes as you enter the beautiful surroundings of Connemara. 

Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel

View from the front of the hotel - who needs the Italian lakes!
The hotel was originally a fishing lodge before being transformed into a relaxing boutique hotel where very quickly thanks to the lovely sister and brother who run it, you are made to feel at home. If you want some ideas about what to do each day, either Maire or Dominic will give you lots of options  One of the added attractions for us is that the hotel is dog friendly, your pets are welcomed in all rooms apart from, understandably the restaurant and the bar area, the latter only when guests are eating. 




If you fancy having a day with no driving there are a number of good walks which you can start from the door of the hotel. The photos above were taken on one of these walks, you can pick up a booklet from the hotel reception which has details of the walks recommended by the hotel. Alternatively if you're a keen angler, the team at the hotel can arrange some top class fishing for you with a ghillie to make sure you get the most from your day.

Diamond Hill
If you enjoy spectacular scenery it's really worth visiting the Connemara National Park. You'll find the main park entrance situated in the nearby town of Letterfrack. There are a number of short walks ranging from just 0.5km through to the Upper Diamond Hill walk which is just under 4 kms. There is no charge for parking nor entrance into the park so in terms of value for money you can't beat it.




If you fancy a rest after stretching your legs on a mountain walk, the coastline of Connemara offers a choice of lovely white sandy beaches surrounded by the beautiful clean blue Atlantic ocean. We visited  Glassilaun and Roundstone beaches, both are lovely with Glassilaun edging it in terms of it's impressive location. 

Glassilaun Beach

Roundstone beach

Part of the fun of visiting Connemara is enjoying the great food that is on offer especially the seafood. We had a couple of great lunches in Veldons in Letterfrack and Beola at the top of the mainstreet in Roundstone. 

Veldons sea food trio - delicious
View from Beola on Roundstone's mainstreet

On our last full day which coincided with our wedding anniversary we felt like a walk was in order. So after a little research Susy came across Ballynahinch Castle which is the words of their website is "one of Ireland's finest luxury castle hotels". Set in a 700 acre estate there are a number of walks in the beautiful grounds which are open to non residents, if you ask at the hotel reception they'll give you a map. We chose the 6k route which takes in part of the Connemara Greenway. The going is easy, the scenery lovely and as the castle is around 20 minutes from Lough Inagh it's well worth a visit.








Ballynahinch Castle
After the walk we drove to the fishing village of Cleggan for lunch, we'd stayed close by during a previous visit to Connemara and wanted to revisit Oliver's Bar where you are guaranteed a tasty lunch. After which we returned to Lough Inagh to relax, drink a toast to our anniversary before enjoying a beautifully presented, delicious three course meal that evening in the hotel's restaurant.



The following morning after a hearty breakfast, yes we did enjoy the food at Lough Inagh a lot, we drove to Kylemore Abby. Perhaps one of Connemara's most iconic attractions, Kylemore Abbey is a must visit. Entrance for adults is €13, which we saw as good value as you can easily spend a whole day there. As well as visiting the Abbey you can enjoy a walk in the grounds including the impressive walled gardens and if you're feeling flush you can visit the well stocked shop or have a bite to eat. 

Kylemore Abbey

Farewell from Connemara
From Kylemore we drove back to Dubin for our last evening before heading home the following afternoon. The week flew by, a clear sign of a great holiday, looking forward to the next one. To read more about Connemara and our first visit in 2014 just click here.


























Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Dog friendly holiday destinations in Ireland and England

Since our lovely dog Pina came into our lives, where possible we've tried to take her on holidays with us. Recently a Facebook friend asked for some recommendations which made me think I should add them to our travel blog, so here is a brief list. One thing that we've learnt from travelling with Pina is that not all hotels or B&Bs mean the same thing when they market themselves as dog friendly, so our advice here is to check exactly what it means before you travel simply to avoid disappointment or inconvenience.

We've graded the various places we've stayed with Pina based upon:
  • How welcome they make guests with dogs feel.
  • Location and other dog friendly destinations/walks close by.
  • The degree to which they go the extra mile for dog owners.
To get 10/10 the venue has to be pretty special and allow you to have your evening meal with your pet rather than have to leave them alone in what to them is a strange room or in your car.

Connemara, Ireland
In 2014 when Pina was about 6 months old we took her with us on a trip to Ireland, it was her first 'long trip' in the car and first trip on a ferry. She passed both tests with flying colours and since then she has proved many times to be a great traveller. To read more about Connemara and Cleggan Holiday Cottages where we stayed, click on the following link, Beautiful Connemara. The great thing about staying in a holiday cottage with your pet is that there are no restrictions within reason limiting where your pet can go. There is a great pub in Cleggan Village called Oliver's Bar where dogs are welcomed not only on the terraced area at the back of the Bar but also in the bar, great locally sourced food is served in both areas.
Dog friendly rating: 9/10

Cleaggan Holiday Cottages
First holiday, first holiday romance
The Lake District, Cumbria, England
In March 2015 we booked a long weekend to visit the stunning Lake District. On this trip we stayed in a very nice 'cottage' in Windermere Marina Village. To read more about this trip, click on the following link, Long weekend in the Lake District. There is a bar on the Marina complex where you can enjoy a meal with your dog by your side.
Dog friendly rating: 8/10

Lake Windermere

Studying the wildlife at the edge of the lake


Bank Holiday weekend in North Yorkshire, England
In May 2015 we spent one of the bank holiday weekends staying at the Laskill Grange B&B just outside Helmsley. We stayed in the cosy Foxglove Cottage which in a previous life was the farm's pig sty. This is a great B&B, I guess the only downside was that breakfast, which was delicious, is served in the main house where dogs aren't allowed in the dining area. That aside, dogs are made very welcome and there is so much to do and see in the stunning part of the country, you can also order an evening meal in your cottage which in our case we did and really enjoyed the experience. The amazing Rievaulx Abbey is only minutes away. For more on Laskill Grange and the surrounding area, clock on the following link and read on, North Yorkshire.
Dog friendly rating: 8/10

Laskill Grange
People watching at Rieuvaulx Abbey

West Cork, Ireland
In June 2016 the three of us along with Susy's Mum took a trip across to Ireland. After a few days with family in Dublin we drove to West Cork where we stayed at the fabulous Dunmore House Hotel just outside Clonakilty. The staff at the hotel were wonderful, so welcoming to dogs, they really made all of us feel at home while we were there. The hotel is fantastic, set on the Atlantic coastline so the views are beautiful. Dogs are allowed in the hotel bar where the food is great so a wonderful destination with your furry daily member. To read more about this wonderful part of Ireland click on the link, Family visit to Ireland June 2016.
Dog friendly rating: 10/10

Exploring around the Beacon, Baltimore

Stunning view of Bantry Bay from Bantry House

More from West Cork, Ireland
Around a three hour drive from Dublin, West Cork is a beautiful part of Ireland with lots to do, great food especially if you like seafood and some stunning scenery. We made another trip there in July 2017, this time the three of us stayed at Carbery Cottage Guest Lodge, a great B&B situated between Durrus and Akahista. As with our pervious visit to this part of Ireland we had a fabulous welcome. Carbery Cottage is a great place to visit with a dog and as humans you're in for a treat as the breakfasts are out of this world. Interested, click on the link to read more, West Cork 2017. As I'm writing this for some reason I can't find any photos so hopefully the Blogpost will do the trick.
Dog friendly rating: 9/10


Wheeldon Trees Farm, Derbyshire, England
Earlier this year (2018) Susy surprised me with a trip to Wheeldon Trees Farm to celebrate my birthday. Wheeldon Trees Farm has a collection of holiday cottages converted from the original outbuildings. The cottages are fabulous with every home comfort you can possibly think of and more.  They will even supply bedding, treats etc for your dog if required. Once you arrive there is no need to use your car as all your needs are catered for and there is some wonderful walking straight from the front of the cottage. I've just realised that I've not written a blogpost on this so until I catch up, here is a link to their wonderful website, just click here.
Dog friendly rating: 10/10

Wheeldon Trees Farm

Not a car in sight

Wells-next-the Sea, Norfolk, England
Earlier in July the unusually good English summer made us yearn for a trip to the seaside so having heard good things about Wells on the Norfolk Coast we looked for a dog friendly place to stay. Susy came across the Globe Inn and we booked a nights stay. The Globe is great for dog owners who want to travel with their dogs, dogs are allowed in the bar area where the food is really good and at breafast  there is a designated area in the restaurant where dogs are allowed so no worried about having to leave your dog in their own in your room or in your car.
Dog friendly rating: 10/10

Globe Inn
The beach at Wells is beautiful and huge, there is a large dog friendly designated area so another great reason for visiting Wells-next-the-Sea with your dog. We enjoyed our time at the Globe and Wells so much that we booked to return in August.

Having fun at Wells-next-the-Sea beach



Connemara, Ireland
We're just back from a break in Connemara, our second trip to this stunning part of Ireland with our dog Pina. We stayed four nights at the beautiful Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel. This is a wonderful, very welcoming boutique style hotel situated in the edge of Lough Inagh, which welcomes guests with their dogs. Just be aware that dogs aren't allowed in the bar area whilst food is being served so you will have to leave them in your room whilst you are eating. You do have the option to order food in your room however from a reduced menu. That aside the team at this fabulous hotel are great and they make you and your pet feel at home. It's a great place to explore the immediate area and beyond. Once you've experienced Lough Inagh you'll want to return. To see more of Connemara just click here.
Dog friendly rating: 9/10

Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel
View from the hotel 
Relaxing by the lough

The Malvern Hills, Malvern, England
Our most frequently visited destination with Pina is the Malvern Hills and the Malvern Hills Hotel which we found by chance when visiting the area for a family birthday. The Malvern Hills are a range of hills in the English counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and a small area of northern Gloucestershire which dominate the surrounding countryside of the district of Malvern. The Malvern Hills Hotel is located the other side of the road to an area known as British Camp, this is an Iron Age hill located at the top of Herefordshire Beacon.  The area is a mecca for walkers of all ages and very welcoming to dogs. The hotel is 100% dog friendly and the management understand that their guests like to have their dogs with them at meal time so they'll happily serve breakfast in the bar area where you can also enjoy a tasty lunch or evening meal. There is also a nice outdoor seating area at the front of the hotel where you can relax on a sunny day.
Dog friendly rating: 10/10

Malvern Hills Hotel
British Camp
 

The Pheasant Hotel, Holt, Norfolk, England
Some good friends of ours recommended The Pheasant to us and we visited for the first time towards the end of 2018. Situated just outside the lovely market town of Holt on The Kelling Estate, The Pheasant is one of those wonderful hotels which succeeds in making you feel at home from the moment you walk through the front door. You know you're in a dog friendly hotel when you enter your room and find a complimentary dog blanket and dog biscuits. The hotel has a large restaurant which connects with the Orangerie where as a dog owner you can enjoy all your meals with your pet by your side and the food is fantastic, the breakfast is one of the best I've ever enjoyed. Dogs are also allowed in the very relaxing bar. If you fancy a walk, no need to take your car, simply walk to the road in front of the hotel, cross over and follow you nose to the beach. The staff on reception will help with more advice about what to do and see in the area. 
Dog friendly rating: 10/10

The Pheasant Hotel & Restaurant 







































SaveSave