A place where you really can have the best of both worlds: the tranquillity of coastal village-living alongside more of that increasingly rare modern commodity – time – married with the bountiful and bustling offerings of Galway city, just 9km away. If so, the charming village of Barna is your answer.
With a cosy little population of 2,000, Bearna (or Barna) has all your immediate needs covered: a well-stocked SuperValu, bakery, fish market (its fresh local fish will have you hooked!), health food store, pharmacies, hair and beauty salons as well as several cafes, pubs and award-winning restaurants. O’Grady’s on the Pier and Donnelly’s are renowned for their seafood and exceptionally good chowder, while Mulberry’s offers excellent family-friendly fare. If you’re looking for a tasty breakfast, a mid-day bite or a sweet treat and coffee, the cheerfully decorated Nourish cafe will simply knock your socks off. Also, The Twelve in the heart of Barna is a contemporary four-star boutique hotel that was meticulously designed by a local developer with the local neighbourhood in mind, and even welcomes pets.
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If you, occasionally, tire of sand in your shoes (and car) or just feel like a change of terrain, you can head to Barna Woods for a ramble through its criss-crossing paths, and where the last natural growing oaks in the west of Ireland are to be found. A wide variety of flora and fauna thrive in the woodland, making for interesting chatter with the kids. They can also keep their eyes peeled for the little fairies that have been spotted fluttering about close to the holy well, near the entrance to the wood. After exploring the forest, trot across the coast road to Lough Rusheen – something of a birdwatching sanctuary. At the end of summer, a large flock of migrating sandwich terns gather before travelling south to Africa.
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If you’re an equine enthusiast, it really doesn’t get much better than Connemara! Clifden, just over an hour away, is synonymous with the region’s very own iconic breed – the handsome Connemara Pony. The Connemara Pony Festival takes place in August and is well worth the visit, in addition to seeing the animals up close and personal you’ll find arts and crafts, Irish dancing, and a traditional market on the streets of Clifden. And, if you fancy a flutter on the horses and a great day (or two) out, then the annual Galway Races in Ballybrit is not to be missed.
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The Town Hall and Black Box Theatres stage an extensive and interesting mix of theatre, concerts, dance, comedy, film and family entertainment. And the Galway City Museum incorporates a gallery space with a history museum exploring themes of archaeology, history and seafaring.
Finally, when it comes to Galway’s cafes, restaurants and bars there is something for each and every palate.
When you’ve had your fill of the city, simply head back to Bearna and the soothing murmurs of the sea. There is no place like home, all the more so when home is a dream come true. For more information about An Maolán home view our houses and site plan.
