A Guide To Roundstone in Galway

Roundstone is a tiny harbour village on Ireland’s west coast, tucked into the southern edge of Connemara.

The village sits west of Bertraghboy Bay in Connemara, 77km from Galway City, at the foot of Errisbeg Mountain.

It’s wedged between the Atlantic and the Twelve Bens, with fishing boats in the bay and hand-built curraghs drying on the slipway.

Arguably one of the best places to stay in Connemara, it makes a very memorable base to explore from, as you’ll discover below.

About Roundstone in Galway

Roundstone was built in the 1820s by Scottish engineer Alexander Nimmo, but it didn’t take long for artists to claim it as their own. With its sharp light, big skies, and dramatic backdrop, it’s inspired generations of painters, sculptors, and writers, and still does.

The landscape here is full of quirks: Ice Age boulders scattered across bog and shoreline, wildflowers rare enough to lure botanists from abroad, and lakes cupped between granite hills. Errisbeg Mountain rises just behind the village, offering views that stretch from the Twelve Bens to the open Atlantic.

In the village itself, you’ll find craft shops, galleries, and a solid lineup of pubs and restaurants serving some of the best seafood in the region. And if the tide and weather line up, Roundstone’s beaches are as good as any in Connemara.

Things to do in Roundstone in Galway (and nearby)

One of the beauties of making Roundstone your base for a few nights is that it’s a short spin away from a clatter of other attractions, both man-made and natural.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do in and near Roundstone village (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. The Errisbeg hike

If you’re wondering what to do in Roundstone on a fine day, try the 3.5-to-4-hour Errisbeg hike. Start at the harbour in Roundstone and walk up Fuschia Lane beside O’Dowd’s (here on Maps).

After about 15 minutes, you’ll reach a gate at the end of the road. Head on through and veer left. From here, it’s a steady climb across rough hillside.

You’ll see tracks worn in by sheep and, while they help, don’t expect a marked trail. Stay clear of boggy ground and streams as you zig-zag upwards.

Aim for the highest cairn you can spot, but be ready to lose some ground before the final push. At the top, the view takes in Dog’s Bay, Gurteen, and the patchwork of lakes across the Roundstone Bog.

2. Dog’s Bay Beach

Just outside Roundstone, Dog’s Bay is one of the most striking beaches in Galway. Its brilliant white sand comes not from stone, but from crushed seashells, giving the whole bay an almost tropical glow.

The mile-long curve is perfect for a walk, a dip, or a bit of kitesurfing when the wind’s right. Sheltered waters make it ideal for a paddle, though it’s the scenery that steals the show.

Ongoing local efforts since the 1990s have helped protect the fragile dunes from erosion SO PLEASE stick to the marked paths to help keep it that way.

3. Roundstone Music and Crafts

Roundstone Music and Crafts can be found in the village, set inside a converted Franciscan monastery. It’s here you’ll find Malachy Kearns – known to many as “Malachy Bodhrán.”

For nearly 50 years, he’s crafted Ireland’s oldest traditional instrument by hand, using goatskin and time-worn techniques. Visitors can tour the workshop, hear the history of the bodhrán, and even try one for themselves.

Malachy’s warm welcome is part of the experience – expect stories, laughs, and maybe even a tune. This is one of the best things to do in Roundstone for good reason!

4. Sip a pint with a view from O’Dowd’s

O’Dowd’s sits right on the harbour in Roundstone and has been in the same family since 1906, though there’s been a pub on the site since the 1840s. It’s said to be the oldest in Connemara.

Inside, you’ll find a small, fire-warmed bar with a view of the boats and fishermen just across the road. The seafood-heavy menu leans local: crab, mussels, smoked salmon, all fresh, simple, and beautifully prepped!

5. Head for a paddle at Gurteen Beach

Gurteen Beach sits just west of Roundstone and delivers serious visual impact. White shell-sand, turquoise water, and a backdrop of low-lying grasslands found only in a handful of places in Ireland and Scotland.

It’s less polished than Dog’s Bay next door, with rocky patches that are perfect for clambering and quieter corners for a dip.

The sand underfoot isn’t your usual stuff – it’s made from crushed foraminifera shells, giving it that blinding white colour. If you’re walking the loop between both beaches, bring decent shoes and respect the dune signs – erosion is an ongoing battle here.

6. Explore Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park is a 45-minute drive from the village and it’s here that you’ll discover 2,000 hectares of mountains, forests, bogs and heathlands.

You can’t drive through it – this is a place you’ll explored on foot. The standout trail is Diamond Hill, a 6km loop with a well-built path that boasts panoramic views over the Twelve Bens, Kylemore Abbey, and the Atlantic.

There’s also a shorter 2.8km version if you’re tight on time. The park’s Visitor Centre in Letterfrack offers exhibitions, a short film, and handy maps.

Heading into Connemara? Try my Connemara itinerary, which includes the brilliant Connemara Loop drive!

7. Visit the often-missed Inishbofin Island

Take the 40-minute drive from Roundstone to Cleggan Pier where you can board the 30-minute over to Inishbofin Island.

Remote, rugged, and rich in history, it’s home to award-winning beaches, looped walking trails, seal colonies, and the 17th-century ruins of Cromwell’s Barracks.

The Westquarter, Cloonamore, and Middlequarter loops offer coastal views, famine roads, and glimpses of ancient chapel ruins. You can cycle the island, visit a working farm, or learn about island life at the heritage museum.

8. Spin along the Sky Road (Clifden)

Head 25-minutes up the road to Clifden Town, see Clifden Castle and then head off along the Sky Road – one of the Wild Atlantic Way’s most impressive drives.

This is a 16km loop that leaves Clifden and climbs onto the Kingston Peninsula, serving up some of the best coastal views in Connemara. Take the Upper Road – it’s higher and thus far more scenic than the lower alternative.

At the 5.5km mark, there’s a dedicated viewpoint with parking and sweeping Atlantic views. The road is narrow, with blind corners, so drive carefully and always go clockwise.

Roundstone restaurants and pubs

The village of Roundstone in Galway is well-known for it’s food, and hungry travellers don’t have far to look for a tasty feed.

1. O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar and Restaurant

As I’ve already pointed out, O’Dowd’s has charms a-plenty to offer the visitor from the views and olde-wordly charm to the seafood on its menu. Pub of the Year in 2017, O’Dowd’s works closely with local suppliers to source the delicious ingredients that form its menus.

2. The Shamrock Bar & Restaurant

The Shamrock is known for its warm, dog-friendly welcome, standout service, and generous portions of fresh seafood and pub classics. Favourites include the chilli prawns, wings, and fish chowder. Expect a lively, easygoing vibe with the occasional trad session

3. King’s Bar

King’s is a cosy, no-nonsense pub known for pouring one of the finest pints in this part of Galway. On a fine day, take your pint outside – the view across the harbour and towards the Twelve Bens says it all.

Where to stay in Roundstone

If you want to base yourself in Roundstone in Galway for a few nights, you’ve a good few options to choose from, accommodation wise.

The Roundstone House Hotel is up their with our favourite hotels in Galway and there’s plenty of great B&Bs and Airbnbs on offer, too!

1. Roundstone House Hotel

Roundstone House Hotel is a long-running, family-owned boutique hotel with panoramic bay views, open fires, and freshly baked brown bread. Its award-winning restaurant specialises in seafood, while the cosy bar is perfect for a quiet drink before dinner. On of the best hotels in Galway for good reason.

2. Eldon’s Hotel Roundstone

Eldon’s is a beautifully restored, family-run B&B with handcrafted furniture, harbour views, and standout interiors. Rooms are bright, stylish, and come with access to a sunroom, courtyard, and guest lounge, all just steps from Roundstone’s main street. Continental breakfast is included.