Practicalities
Bus Eireann services link all villages on major routes between Galway, Oughterard, Roundstone, Clifden and Cong. They are reliable, although infrequent, often with only one service daily, occasionally even less frequently. Timetables can be picked up in Galway bus station (tel 091/562000). The area is well served by private buses which can be more flexible and cheaper than Bus Eireann: try Lally's (tel 091/562905), O'Neachtain's (tel 091/553188) or Hugh Ryan (tel 091/555780). Hostels and B&Bs are both in reasonably good supply throughout Connemara, and you can camp more or less anywhere, but bear in mind that a lot of the area is bog and therefore very wet. Away from towns and villages, you may have trouble getting hold of water. Gaz canisters are available in Galway city, at Keogh's in Oughterard, Michael Ferron's in Roundstone, Peter Veldon's in Letterfrack, and in Clifden at The Twelve Bens, Stanley's and Miller's. Bord Failte-approved campsites are listed in the text. If you intend to go walking bear in mind that the mountains here are potentially dangerous . There is no organized mountain-rescue service such as you get in European countries that are more developed for mountain sports. The Ordnance Survey 1:126,720 maps are based on surveying done in 1837 and are inaccurate, especially above 1000ft. If you are doing any serious walking, it is worth getting either the Connemara Map and Guide Booklet or The Mountains of Connemara , a map and guide to eighteen walks, including the Western Way. Both are produced by Folding Landscapes of Roundstone, Connemara, County Galway, and can be obtained in tourist offices in the west of Ireland or by post. Bike rental is available at Clifden, Galway, Roundstone and at several hostels (mentioned in the text). Most of Connemara's more beautiful beaches are safe for swimming, including Clifden, Lettergesh, Dog's Bay, Gurteen Bay, Renvyle, Ardmore, Mannin Bay, Aillebrack, Omey, Letterfrack and Spiddal. It is, however, a very varied coast, so, if in doubt, ask about safety locally. Finally, being the Gaeltacht , the area's signposts are often in Irish, as are names on buses (even Galway is sometimes Gaillimh ); where common these are added in parentheses in the course of the guide. Variations in the Irish spellings are common - sometimes the "An" is omitted.
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