Waters and the wild

GOING on a weekend break with a surfer, a toddler and a bump takes a special kind of optimism.

We were looking for somewhere child-friendly with outdoor pursuits, good food and would it be too much to ask to throw a nice massage in there as well? After a little online research, Renvyle House, situated on arguably one of the most stunning spots of the very wild west coast in Connemara, appeared to tick most of the boxes. We worked in an overnight stop in Galway to break up the trip from Cork and by the time we wound our way through the Inagh Valley, the scenery had worked its magic before we had set foot in the historic hotel. With each twist of the road revealing another picture postcard setting, we were smitten. Still lakes mirroring majestic heather hued mountains, brazen sheep loitering with castles in the background and when we finally did get to where the people were, white-washed thatched cottages with bright red doors greeted us in Tully Cross.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS