Dolphin Beach House

I highly recommend this gorgeous B&B for a countryside getaway. I highly recommend Connemara in general. It’s God’s Country for sure — shallow bays and lakes peacefully shrouded by rocky hills and endless green pastures, there is much about Connemara and not just about this bed and breakfast that steals the heart. Our first time to this gorgeous part of County Galway we simply did a drive through on the way to Westport, and it wasn’t enough. We returned a year later, with the Dolphin Beach House on the top of our list.
About 10 – 15 minutes outside of bustling Clifden, the house is on the Lower Sky Road (a totally jaw-​dropping scenic drive) and abuts the water while still remaining nicely sheltered. We booked a queen bed with a view of the water and patio. The rustic and handmade wooden furniture, spacious room and view of the Connemara countryside put me at immediate ease. The breakfast room is a greenhouse of sorts — brilliantly lit with exquisite views of the sheep, rolling countryside and Atlantic sea.
The morning breakfast was lovely — choice of full Irish, smoked salmon, wonderful orange yolked fresh eggs, pancakes and oatmeal as well as cold cereal, scones, all the fixings. There’s a patio that overlooks the scenery that epitomizes the lushness of rural Ireland. And the Foyle family are lovely hosts.
I’ve docked one star mostly because of how loud the B&B was, probably because of bad timing. A large family from the United States, about 11 – 12 people carried on until 2am and then woke up at 8am, thrashing around and belting riotous laughter. Our second night was much more quiet and more pleasant, but it would be nice if this house was more soundproof. You can’t win them all. But this place is still a big winner.