A Tiny Cottage on the Edge of the Atlantic in Connemara

Oystercatcher Cottage is about as close to the edge of the Atlantic as I’d want to get without actually owning a boat.

This small, old cottage sits on the Renvyle Peninsula in Connemara, with no close neighbours and panoramic views across the ocean.

From the garden you can see towards Lettergesh Beach and the mouth of Killary Harbour, with Mayo and the islands of Inishturk, Clare Island and Achill visible in the distance.

It sleeps 4, dogs are welcome and there’s a deck overlooking the water where, if you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins passing by.

A little cottage on the edge of the Atlantic

The location here is fairly ridiculous. Oystercatcher sits right on the coast with its own garden, deck and patio, and there are no close neighbours around the property.

Open the kitchen door and you’re straight out onto the deck overlooking the sea. During summer, the sun sets out over the water and dolphins have been known to make an appearance offshore.

The cottage’s name comes from the oystercatchers that can regularly be seen and heard along the shoreline below.

I’d say a morning coffee could turn into a fairly unproductive couple of hours out here.

Inside the cottage

The house itself is small, cosy and deliberately rustic. Downstairs you’ll find a kitchen/dining area, bathroom and sitting room with a multi-fuel stove.

There’s also Wi-Fi, a TV, games and books, so a horizontal day beside the fire is very much an option when the Atlantic decides to throw a tantrum outside.

The two bedrooms are upstairs, with a king-size bed in one and two singles in the other.

There is one important catch, though: you reach the bedrooms via a wooden ladder. The host specifically warns that this may not be suitable for young children or anyone with limited mobility.

Then there’s that view…

This is why I’d book Oystercatcher. You’ve got the Atlantic directly in front, mountains around you and a string of beaches nearby, while the cottage itself feels remarkably removed from everything.

And the experience changes completely depending on what the weather is doing.

Get a calm summer evening and you can sit on the deck watching the sun disappear over the sea. Get sideways rain and howling wind and you can throw another log on the stove and watch the whole thing unfold from inside.

For once, I’m not sure which I’d prefer.

Exploring this corner of Connemara

When you eventually drag yourself away from the deck, you’re in a very handy spot for exploring the Renvyle Peninsula and north Connemara.

Tullycross is just 2.5km away, while the entrance to Connemara National Park at Letterfrack is around 7km from the cottage. Kylemore Abbey and Clifden are also within easy driving distance.

Up to two dogs are welcome, too, although you’ll need to keep them under control as sheep regularly graze in the surrounding fields.

So, sea outside, fire inside, dog beside you.

That’ll do nicely.