Oh, my-where to begin? Wish I could give it more than 5 stars. At first I was a little worried, b/c it's a bit off the beaten path and we'd planned to "do" Galway. But when we arrived and saw how special this place was, all was forgotten. We didn't even end up "doing" Galway, as there were horse races and it was incredibly crowded. Instead we took Denis's advice and did part of the Connemara loop. Gorgeous, wild, rugged scenery. For being such a big and grand place, the house had a very comfortable, homey feel. Our room was gigantic, and the hallways were wider than some of the roads! Our bathroom was also really big with a wonderful shower. The nearest pubs/restaurants/grocery stores are about 10 minutes away in Tuam, but we were able to get a pizza, bring it back and eat in the dining room. Breakfast was really nice, with fresh fruit, great muesli, breads, irish butter, etc. I don't eat eggs, but my sister raved about the omelets. Tea and coffee were available any time. Joyce, Denis and Niamh were all so friendly and helpful; we couldn't have asked for a better place for our last stay in Ireland. OH, PS- don't forget to walk the Knockma woods and look for the fairy doors!