Exploring Connemara with Cliodhna Prendergast
The Clifden-based photographer, writer and founder of the Workship retreat series, Cliodhna Prendergast, on her top picks in Clifden and beyond.
On calling Connemara home
This is such a beautiful, wild place. I feel very privileged to live and raise our children here. The mountains, lakes and especially the sea and early morning light on the bog. I love the sense of tradition that prevails here.
On Roundstone beach swims
Swimming on a white sandy beach with crystal clear water in Roundstone every day is my first and most special ritual. On a calm day, watching the sunlight pierce the water to the patterned sandy bottom is magic.
On the best place for fish and chips
Siobhan Vaughan at Roundstone House Hotel has a remarkable way with fish. Her fish and chips in the bar before 7pm is the juiciest you will taste; you will not find better food in Connemara.
On the best place to take in the views
Sky Road Drive and Chowder at Guys Bar
When anyone is visiting the area, I always recommend they get out to the beaches and the Sky Road drive, then back to Guys Bar for a bowl of chowder.
On Clifden retail therapy
Provenance is favourite for design and interiors, Sadhbh O’Gorman runs a superb interiors studio there while Rosie Johnson has a wonderful stock of rugs, fabrics and furniture as well as lamps and smaller items.
Whistlestop for gifts, Ohh! By Gum, Hehir’s, Millars and Stanleys are brilliant for clothing, The Connemara Hamper and Coyles are great for food shopping. I also love the market on a Friday, where the smell of Melanie’s crepe van on the square is too good to resist.
On immersive art
Interface Inagh is wonderful creative space and studio with residency programmes for artists, dancers, writers and musicians. It goes a little under the radar but there are fantastic shows in this space.
On weekend rituals
The weekends often start with a pint on the wall in Roundstone on a Friday night. On Saturday morning, we swim followed by coffee at Coffee Cottage near the quay.
On Clifden’s late-night scene
For late evening, Mullarkey’s Bar has a bit of a late-night scene, where its dimmed lights, music and good hosts often make for a fun-filled evening.