Our stay at The Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifden

When staying in Clifden, there is no better place to rest your weary head than the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. A brilliant culmination of comfort, luxury and history in the heart of Connemara, the 4-star hotel is an unforgettable experience when staying in Clifden.

We spent a night there on our whirlwind trip through the Capital of Connemara. It was an amazing stay full of incredible dining, storytelling, and mirth. We were swept up in the magic and charm of The Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, and we feel you will be as well.

The stay is a family owned independent 4-star hotel. Run by brothers Ronan and Brian Hughes, this duo is absolutely dedicated to ensuring that each and every guest is looked after and has a magical time at the Abbeyglen.

After checking into the hotel we found our respective rooms. The rooms are elegant and bright. From the cosy and intimate ‘Original Rooms’ to the luxurious ‘Castle Suites’ the spaces are held to an incredible standard. The rooms are all full of atmosphere and add a brilliant touch of comfort to the Abbeyglen experience.

One of the most memorable experiences from our stay was seeing Sky Road. Just before the Champagne Reception in the Piano Bar, Ronan took us out on a spectacular tour of the iconic Connemara stretch. Driving the panoramic road took us to a stunning spot overlooking Clifden Bay - on a bright and sunny evening it was absolutely breathtaking.

Back to the hotel in the Piano Bar for the reception, we were greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne and a room full of music and mirth. Guests from all over had filed into the bar. Melodic piano music danced through the air. Conversations were shared and laughs were had. Brian then came in to share a brillant talk detailing the history and the significance of the Abbeyglen and Clifden. Impassioned and spirited, this was a fantastic glimpse into the importance of the hotel and Clifden itself.

Following the reception we were invited to dinner, served later on in the evening. Our meal was absolutely fantastic. As we continued to listen to live piano music in the upstairs dining room we enjoyed the food. We were provided with an A La Carte Menu and an extensive “Table D’Hôte” Menu. The Wild Atlantic Way Chowder was exceptional. For my main I opted for the Pan Seared Darn of Salmon, it was incredibly fresh and absolutely delicious.

The grounds are breathtakingly gorgeous. The hotel is beautifully decorated, with large open spaces, gorgeous drapes framing large windows, grand pianos and stunning features sprinkled throughout. If you’re looking for an experience of a place to stay in itself - there is nowhere else other than The Abbeyglen Castle Hotel.