Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Aran Islands

"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."

"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."

"The drive to the seaside area of Barna is well worth the trip to enjoy fresh seafood at O’Grady’s on the Pier. The country-style dining has a warm, rustic charm, while the terrace offers some of the best views of Galway Bay. Start with the local Castletownbere Bay crab claws or fresh steamed mussels with chorizo, paprika, and leeks."

"This super fish restaurant was the first place chef Aidan McGee (now Head Chef at Corrigan's Mayfair) worked. The biggest selling point is its glorious views over Galway Bay - but the seafood-heavy menu is also full of delights. More about O’Gradys on the Pier"

"A seafood lover’s paradise, O’Gradys is located right on the pier in Barna, just outside Galway city. Seating is limited and it’s walk in only, but risk it. Believe me, you won’t be sorry."

"Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites offers a remarkable, carefully designed experience on the remote, beautiful and windswept island of Inishmaan. Ruairí and Marie-Thérèse de Blacam’s splendid and intimate enterprise is only a few years old – but is already famous for sky-high quality and immersive island magic."

"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."

"Donnelly's Bar & Restaurant is an old local favourite that has been renovated to a beautifully modern finish. Located on the picturesque Barna Pier, it's the perfect location to appreciate the sea and its plentiful bounty!. Their menu packs a secret weapon that you won't find anywhere else; Neptune's Seafood Treasure is a crepe filled with fresh salmon, cod and prawns in a white wine sauce, gratinated and topped with Hollandaise and breadcrumbs, and it's delicious!"

"One of Ireland’s most renowned seafood restaurants, Donnelly's also caters to carnivores with its game and meat dishes. Wash it all down with a few drinks at the on-site bar."

"This pretty cottage is just the kind of place that visitors to Ireland dream of finding - and what a joy to discover that it’s no dream but a delightful restaurant serving delicious homemade food. If you take a jarvey or taxi to the Dun Aengus ..."

"Situated just outside the city, White Gables is housed inside a 1920s cottage, ideally suited to serving what owners Kevin and Ann Dunne refer to as their ‘time-warp classics’, such as seafood cocktail Marie Rose and scallops mornay. For more than 20 years, the Dunnes have been bringing their seafood-centric menus to the people of Galway at White Gables and providing a relaxed and elegant setting in which to enjoy them. A set dinner menu of three courses is available here for €39.50, as well as a three-course Sunday lunch for €28.50."

"Traditional Irish cooking in a restored Stone cottage at a crossroads in Moycullen village. White Gables Restaurant serves on traditional Irish dishes, with a focus on seafood, including fresh lobster from their fishtank. Warm, homely red tone, floral lampshades and dark mahogany furniture, portray a picture of Ireland in a different time."

"Renowned for its fine seafood, with lobster, crabs and oysters fresh from the sea, this sophisticated yet cosy atmosphere will warm your heart as well as please your tastebuds."

"A ‘show mine’ that plays tribute to the days of mining in Connemara, West Galway, a trip to Glengowla brings you below ground to explore the dangerous extraction methods of 19th-century silver and lead mining. As well as the roughshod mining buildings and cave below, Glengowla is now home to an open farm, which is popular with local families. Glengowla Lodge, Glengowla East, Oughterard, Co."

"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 ..."

"Donnelly's Bar & Restaurant is an old local favourite that has been renovated to a beautifully modern finish. Located on the picturesque Barna Pier, it's the perfect location to appreciate the sea and its plentiful bounty!. Their menu packs a secret weapon that you won't find anywhere else; Neptune's Seafood Treasure is a crepe filled with fresh salmon, cod and prawns in a white wine sauce, gratinated and topped with Hollandaise and breadcrumbs, and it's delicious!"

"One of Ireland’s most renowned seafood restaurants, Donnelly's also caters to carnivores with its game and meat dishes. Wash it all down with a few drinks at the on-site bar."

"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."

"A ‘show mine’ that plays tribute to the days of mining in Connemara, West Galway, a trip to Glengowla brings you below ground to explore the dangerous extraction methods of 19th-century silver and lead mining. As well as the roughshod mining buildings and cave below, Glengowla is now home to an open farm, which is popular with local families. Glengowla Lodge, Glengowla East, Oughterard, Co."

"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."