Best French Bakery in Aran Islands

"Hotel of the Year 2018, The Twelve is an elegant retreat in Barna Village. It combines exquisite dining, luxurious rooms and some well-deserved relaxation therapy in Le Petit Spa. Escape the world for a time and immerse yourself in a Nourishing Marine Cocoon Wrap or get back to nature with a mineral-rich Seaweed Bath which is known to have amazing restorative healing properties."

"Balancing opulent and snug, The Twelve offers a delightful and well-appointed seaside experience just outside Galway city. Come here for top-class cooking and accommodation amid the great outdoors in the West of Ireland."

"Ok, admittedly, this technically isn’t a market, but it has that rustic and beautifully, homemade one-of-a-kind feel that any good market offers, and for that alone, Culture Trip highly recommends a visit. The Spiddal Craft Village is a rural business spot for a host of arty producers, people who blow glass, paint Galway’s sublimely rugged landscapes, weave baskets, cook in beautiful bakeries and a serve up an awarding-winning stop-off at the restaurant and coffee shop. In other words, it’s a very worthwhile aside."

"Not an art gallery as such, but certainly one of Ireland‘s best creative communities, and a corner of Connemara that any arts-loving visitor will want to see. Spiddal Crafts is home to both the production and sale of anything from hand-blown glass to ceramics, coin-based jewellery, and the work of Brazilian resident artist Andrea Rossi, who makes vibrant folk art. Seeing the art in progress is the best part."

"Builín Blasta is a friendly kind of place, offering a truly Irish Céad Míle Fáilte to everyone who wanders through their doors. They offer award-winning vegan options such as their lentil spaghetti bolognese with cashew “parmesan” and their super tasty vegan sandwich with chermoula, roasted mushroom, tomato and caramelised onion on homemade sourdough rye bread. If you’re looking for a sweet fix, treat yourself to one of their delicious vegan desserts and a warm cuppa."

"If you like your outdoor dining to have those scenic seaside vibes, take a trip out to Spiddal and treat yourself to something tasty from Builín Blasta. They have an amazing range of baked treats, whether you prefer sweet (like a mango cheesecake!) or savoury (like a black pudding and blue cheese jambon!!). Loads of outdoor seating, doggy-friendly, wheelchair accessible and with a cute craft village next door to browse around."

"This beautiful shop in Moycullen is the perfect spot for lovers of coffee and art alike. Tree Bark Store is a brand new concept that combines speciality coffee shop, lifestyle store, art gallery and print studio all in one calming space. They champion local and Irish producers in everything they do, so it's no surprise that they stock Calendar Coffee from just over the hills in Barna, as well as Soma and Stone Valley from Cork!"

"Locally known as a coffee lovers paradise, TreeBark Store is open for business with some new protocols in place. They’ve got a handy one-way system mapped out to help customers venture round with minimal contact as well as their pretty epic screen, built by the talented Dan Gardener. We can’t wait for a cuppa!"

"Having started learning about vegetarianism and veganism nearly four years ago, the folks at Sweet Nothings café have always tried to put an emphasis on living clean and as sustainably as possible. Their menu is 100% vegetarian and nearly everything has a plant-based alternative. They’ve even got vegan, wheat and refined sugar free desserts that they’ve been selling at markets for the last three years and it’s clear that Connemara has taught them that simplicity and living in harmony with nature is the key to everything."

"For the Barna folk among us, Barcella Café are helping you keep the wolf from the door with their American style pancakes this Tuesday. They’ve got three options with a choice of three toppings to choose from. Bacon, maple syrup, Nutella, mixed berry jam, honey, fresh cream, banana - we’re drooling just thinking about it!"

"The O’Dowd family have been welcoming visitors to this much-loved pub overlooking the harbour for longer than most people care to remember. There are some new developments from time to time, but the old bar is always the same – or at least ..."

"If you’re looking for family activities for all ages, the Ailwee Caves and Bird of Prey Centre is a great option for you. Located in the heart of the Burren in County Clare and only 40 minutes from both Galway and Shannon. Perched high on its Burren terraced mountainside."

"Built around 1500, this superbly preserved fortress signposted 4.2km east of Oughterard was home to the 'Fighting O'Flahertys', who controlled the region for hundreds of years after they fought off the Normans. The six-storey tower house stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking Lough Corrib and has been extensively restored."

"A great Tower House to visit with kids in Galway is Aughnanure Castle. Located near Oughterard, it is one of over 200 tower houses in County Galway. Built in the 16th century this castle is a great place to stretch the legs and let the kids run off some excess energy."

"The 'Fighting O'Flahertys' were based at this superbly preserved 16th-century fortress 4km east of Oughterard. The clan controlled the region for hundreds of years after they fought off the Normans."

"At first glance, there is nothing remarkable about this humdrum looking bridge. But it’s actually a place of pilgrimage!. – not religious, but film."

"While only two of the ancient buildings at this site are actually churches this was one of the earliest Irish pilgrimage sites ever."

"One of Ireland's most famous prehistoric grave sites, Gleninsheen lies beside the R480 7km south of Ballyvaughan. It's thought to date from 4000 to 5000 years ago. A magnificent gold gorget (a crescent of beaten gold that hung round the neck) found here and dating from the late Bronze Age is now on display at the National Museum in Dublin. Note: the access gate to the tomb is sometimes locked, and signage is poor."

"On the shores of Galway Bay, the Connemara Coast Hotel is the perfect place to spend a little me-time, especially in the luxury spa. Book time in the Therapy Rooms and look forward to an Aromatherapy Massage or more rigorous Swedish massage. Natural aromatic oils are used in the Hot Stones Massage that delivers deep heat to inner bone and tissue."

"The O’Dowd family have been welcoming visitors to this much-loved pub overlooking the harbour for longer than most people care to remember. There are some new developments from time to time, but the old bar is always the same – or at least ..."