The best part first – this lodge is next door to a pub where traditional sessions are held every weekend. We arrived on Sunday night, just as the musicians started filing in. By the time we showered and changed, the session including traditional dance was in full swing! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming and the music fantastic. Dinner and Guinness was no more than 50’ from our room. But don’t worry, the rooms were far enough from the celebrating that these weary travelers didn’t hear a peep.

Dinner – I could do it all over again. As an appetizer we shared a huge platter of local Connemara smoked salmon with brown bread. Salmon was thick cut and moist. But it gets better. Baked salmon with hollandaise melted in my mouth. A bowl of Irish stew had the most flavorful broth and mounds of carrots and sweet tasting potatoes, although a bit light on lamb.

The rooms? Backpacker’s paradise! Nothing fancy but everything you need and more. We were given a... more