Things to do during your stay at Ballynahinch

Here at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, guests can explore 700 acres of woodland and trails, enjoying breathtaking views of the Connemara landscape. Speak to our guides for the best walking trails, guided walks, or hikes. Try fly-fishing or a 2-hour boat trip from Roundstone. We also offer bikes to explore the Connemara Greenway, which runs along the hotel entrance. We’re happy to provide information on other ways to explore Connemara and truly experience all it has to offer.

Renowned as one of Ireland’s finest fisheries, the Ballynahinch Catchment spans 68 square miles of interconnected loughs and rivers, drained by the Ballynahinch River. This majestic river, with exclusive fishing rights owned by Ballynahinch Estate, winds under the Castle for three kilometers to the Atlantic Ocean at Bertraghboy Bay, Connemara. All salmon and sea trout must swim up this river through the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel Estate, making it a famous salmon and sea trout fishery. The closure of the Irish drift net fishery in 2007 doubled the salmon run in the first year and increased the average size of salmon. Our fishery operates catch and release to ensure sustainable fishing for generations. Enjoy the finest fly fishing holiday Ireland offers at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel Estate, Connemara.

 Some visitors to Ballynahinch Castle Hotel and Estate never leave the grounds, given the unique activities available in beautiful Connemara. Enjoy hiking our trails, fly-fishing tutorials, biking, or simply relaxing in the tranquility of the grounds, listening to the river’s song. Ballynahinch Castle Hotel offers easy access to these activities, delivered by professional and enthusiastic guides. Every morning at 9:30am, our experienced fishing guides and walking guide Kieran are available in reception for a coffee and chat. Whether you’ve booked an activity, want to do so, or are seeking advice, they will ensure your day starts off great.

Located in the heart of Connemara and surrounded by diverse mountains, rivers, lakes, and coastlines, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is the ideal base for walking holidays in the West of Ireland. We offer guided hiking tours through the Twelve Bens, Maumturk Mountains, and other areas of Connemara. Our knowledgeable and experienced guides tailor each hike to the group, ensuring a real experience of the Wild Atlantic Way, rain or shine.

Many hikes are off-trail on rugged, often wet terrain, so waterproofs and hiking boots are recommended. The half-day guided hike (up to 4 hours) is priced at €300 for two persons, while the full-day guided hike (up to 6 hours) is €450 for two persons, including a packed lunch and complimentary Irish coffee by the fire on return.

For more information on Guided Hikes in Connemara, please email [email protected].

One of the great attractions of Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is that all these activities are easily accessible without difficulty and delivered by professional and enthusiastic guides and are all but a stones throw away.

In the surrounding areas, guests can famous attractions such as the Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey or spend the day browsing shops in the local villages. Other activities can you enjoy include kayaking or even surfing, visiting an oyster farm, visiting a sheep farm and a cruise on the stunning Killary fjord. The possibilities are endless.

Diamond Hill is a 25-minute drive from Ballynahinch, part of Connemara National Park near Letterfrack. Standing at 442 meters, it offers three walks: the 3km Lower Diamond Walk and the 3.7km Upper Diamond Walk and a beautiful riverside walk where you step down into a woodland canopy. The three walks are suitable for all levels, with proper footwear and outdoor wear recommended. Well-signposted gravel footpaths and wooden boardwalks guide you over the bog. Near the base, you can choose the Lower or Upper Diamond Walk. The steady climb to the summit rewards you with magnificent views of Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, Inishturk, Inishshark, and the Twelve Bens Mountain Range. The loop continues down the opposite side, rejoining the lower loop walk back to the visitor centre.

Located in the heart of Connemara, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is the perfect destination for those seeking to explore the Connemara region of the Wild Atlantic Way. The county Galway coastline offers some dramatic scenery, from the Sky Road in Clifden, the mountain lined Killary Fjord to the stunning Gurteen Beach and Dogs Bay sand spit near Roundstone. Learn about Marconi Wireless Station and see the landing site of Alcock & Brown’s first transatlantic flight at Derrigimlagh Discovery Point.

One of the most popular discovery points is at the top of the sky road. This viewpoint is located just outside Clifden town and is just a 25-minute drive from Ballynahinch Castle Hotel. From the top of the sky road visitors can enjoy incredible views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the small islands just off the Connemara coastline.

Ballynahinch Castle is located directly by Ballynahinch Lake and offers opportunities for fly fishing and River Fishing, and there is a sailing club in Clifden so you can try your hand at controlling the Wild Atlantic Wind. You can also kayak in the idyllic Dog's Bay. Perhaps you a bit more adventurous the Killary Adventure Centre might be up your street with a host of fun water activities to partake in. whatever your preference Connemara has it all and just a stone’s throw from Ballynahinch Castle Hotel.

There are an abundance of mountains in Connemara to explore near Ballynahinch Castle, and some of the best hiking experiences are Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park and has a trail leading all the way to the top. Another beautiful mountain hike is Mamean which is rooted in Irish history with a chapel at the top that is still in use to this day. Our Guides would be more than happy to help with any enquires or even book a guided hike with them.

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Connemara is the perfect destination for those seeking to explore the west of Ireland and the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean, the best way is to follow Wild Atlantic Way route. Just a short scenic drive from the hotel, guests can visit many of the WAW Discovery Points and points of interest.  Leave here for the picturesque village of Roundstone which is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, or drive to the breathtaking scenery of Sky Road viewpoint overlooking Clifden Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Another interesting viewpoint is the Killary Harbour which a fjord with surround dramatic scenery, with the highest mountain in Connacht Mweelrea on one side and the Maumturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens. Where ever the road takes you, you be sure to take in the breathtaking views of the wild Atlantic ocean.