Clifden's premier holiday home with heated pool + sauna - sleeps 24
4.9
Outstanding(19 Reviews)House in Clifden
23 guests · 11 bedrooms · 12 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Pets allowed and more
About this house rental
Sunnybank House Clifden - a premier country house in town.
A smart country house, originally built in circa 1820, sympathetically renovated and designed to provide a luxurious, comfortable and homely holiday experience for gatherings of friends and family for upto 24 people
Set in its own private grounds and within two minutes walk to Clifden Town.
The house is set in mature gardens, a private car park, with EV point, a spectacular outdoor heated pool (Easter to end September), sauna, and terrace with BBQ kitchen and outdoor dining, providing a private self contained holiday experience.
Follow us on @sunnybankhouseclifden for further information on Clifden, reels of our properties, news, updates and offers.
For best rates and full floor plans check out our Connemara Rentals directly.
Interiors:
All 11 en suite bedrooms / 12 bathrooms are uniquely decorated with very comfortable beds made up with crisp white linen, towels and personal care products from Voya.
The extensive ground floor living areas include:
* The beautiful drawing room with large open fireplace
* The library with cosy armchairs, shelves of books and work /office area
* The dining room with a dining table that seats 20 people
* The cosy television room with open turf fire and smart TV
* The main kitchen and pantry with facilities to cater for the whole group, including multiple fridges, dishwashers, ice machine, washing facilities
* Full laundry facilities
* Outdoor kitchen with Weber Grill and BBQ and outdoor dining table for 20 people
* Heated swimming pool
* Sauna and outdoor rain shower
* Wifi throughout
* Private parking for upto 7 cars with EV point
The house is within a stone's throw from lovely cafes, restaurants, pubs, wine bar and lovely independent shops and supermarkets.
Nearby you will find
-Beautiful beaches
-Walks and hikes
-The Connemara Greenway
-Children's playground
-Theatre and Cinema in the Station house Hotel
-Full leisure center with 18 metre pool and Gym in the Station House Hotel where you can purchase day or week passes
-Connemara National Park
-Connemara Golf Club
- Sea and lake fishing
- Boat trips to the Connemara islands - Inishbofin, Clare Island
- Kylemore Abbey and gardens
- Killary Fjord, Leenane - Take the boat on the Fjord followed by lovely lunch at the Misunderstood Heron food truck or the purple door cafe
- Great collection of local independent shops offering designer and vintage clothing, art, crafts, antiques, interiors, jewellery and gifts
- Live music in various venues around town.
A beautiful and interesting coastal town at the edge of Connemara, Galway, Ireland
Sunnybank House is a very popular choice for gatherings of friends and family. Ideal for family reunions, celebrations, multi generational family holidays, events or just a big weekend away.
We offer options for in house catering - have local chefs come to the house and cook dinner for the whole group, or eat out in one of the many restaurants and bars including our own @guysbarclifden specialising in local seafood, where you can book a private lunch/dinner in our charming and cosy snug and back bar.
WEEKENDS / SHORT BREAKS
We offer weekends/short breaks from October to May, for up to 24 people.
Whether for family or friends, activities or escapes, you can enjoy a weekend in the capital of Connemara, with the town just a short walk away,
Book any of the following weekends with us and we will offer a third night on a complimentary basis (Sunday or Thursday) 12 October 2024, remaining November weekends and February 2025.
Weekend activities can include :
* Personalised Wine experience with Anke Hartmann
* Adventure activités with Real Adventures
* Hiking in the Twelve Bens / Maam turks
* Sea swimming and Steam sauna - sweathouse.ie (max 16 people at a time)
* Private pilates class around the pool or in house.
CLIFDEN TOWN
Clifden town is the capital of Connemara one of the most scenic regions in Ireland. Established in the early 1800’s at Clifden Bay, it follows the classic 19th century layout: oval in plan, with 3 principal streets – Market Street, Main Street and Bridge Street, a Market Square, a fine bridewell or gaol, courthouse and harbour.
Clifden today is a vibrant and cultural town which has retained its historic roots while offering a wide range of services and facilities. You will find colourful streets with a great selection of small local food shops – (fishmongers, butchers, fruit and vegetable store, delicatessens and a bakery), numerous craft and gift shops, art galleries and exhibitions and other interesting shops including antique shops, designer clothes shops, jewellery and vintage shops.
There are 9 restaurants and 10 pubs with music sessions each evening and good bar food. On the practical side there are four supermarkets, including Aldi and Lidl, which are open until 9pm (mon-sat), two banks, three chemists, two petrol stations, two churches and a post office.
Set on the edge of the Atlantic, the surrounding scenery is spectacular, and waiting to be discovered.
CONNEMARA
A vast coastal region world renowned for its wild and stunning scenery, and magical light. It is dotted with small villages and historical sites. To the north is stretches to the border of Mayo and the town of Westport is 45 mins., drive from Clifden.
To the east it reaches to Galway city, which is one hour's drive from Clifden and well worth a visit. To the south is the Connemara Gaelteacht area- an Irish speaking area which is famous for its coral strands.
THINGS TO DO:
- WALKING AND CYCLING:
The area is a walker’s paradise whether following a planned route or just ambling along country roads and beaches, of which there are many. You will find a folder of 20 different Connemara walks in your house or follow the road signs around the countryside which indicate good routes for walking or cycling.
Bicycles and electric bikes can be hired throughout the year.
- Sea Swimming
There are on your door steps some of the most beautiful beaches in the country - ideal for sea swimming all year round
-Sailing
Whether you are sailing to Clifden or wish to go sailing, contact Clifden boat club which is located at the end of the Beach road. They offer Sailing courses throughout the summer.
ADVENTURE AND WATER SPORTS
Two of the country’s best adventure centres are located within 30 minutes drive from Clifden. Killary adventure centre and aerial park + Delphi adventure centre. They offer daily and weekly courses for both adults and children in sailing, windsurfing, orienteering, kayaking, rock climbing, bungee jumping, water skiing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, amongst others.
Real Adventures - For private guided activities in or around Clifden including hill walking, rock climbing, kayaking on Clifden bay and surfing – for individuals or groups – All equipment provided, so no excuses !
You can also go scuba diving in a most beautiful area, north of Clifden. The Scuba Dive West Centre is one of the most established dive centers in the country and offers courses for all levels.
CRUISES AND BOAT TRIPS
The Killary Fjord Cruise is a 1.5 hour cruise along Ireland’s only Fjord with an interesting talk on the history of the area. There are several sailings daily between April and October.
The Brazen Hussy – is a solid, ocean-going boat for day charters around the Connemara coast and islands, sea fishing or whale and dolphin watching.
Worth a visit.......
CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK
Some of the most spectacular vistas can be seen from any of the National park walks, which range from a half-hour gentle ascent to a full climb to the peak of the Diamond Mountain, approximately 4 hours to the summit and back.
Home to Connemara ponies, wild goats and Irish deer there is also a history museum, café, children’s playground and picnic area.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for information on the above activities.
A smart country house, originally built in circa 1820, sympathetically renovated and designed to provide a luxurious, comfortable and homely holiday experience for gatherings of friends and family for upto 24 people
Set in its own private grounds and within two minutes walk to Clifden Town.
The house is set in mature gardens, a private car park, with EV point, a spectacular outdoor heated pool (Easter to end September), sauna, and terrace with BBQ kitchen and outdoor dining, providing a private self contained holiday experience.
Follow us on @sunnybankhouseclifden for further information on Clifden, reels of our properties, news, updates and offers.
For best rates and full floor plans check out our Connemara Rentals directly.
Interiors:
All 11 en suite bedrooms / 12 bathrooms are uniquely decorated with very comfortable beds made up with crisp white linen, towels and personal care products from Voya.
The extensive ground floor living areas include:
* The beautiful drawing room with large open fireplace
* The library with cosy armchairs, shelves of books and work /office area
* The dining room with a dining table that seats 20 people
* The cosy television room with open turf fire and smart TV
* The main kitchen and pantry with facilities to cater for the whole group, including multiple fridges, dishwashers, ice machine, washing facilities
* Full laundry facilities
* Outdoor kitchen with Weber Grill and BBQ and outdoor dining table for 20 people
* Heated swimming pool
* Sauna and outdoor rain shower
* Wifi throughout
* Private parking for upto 7 cars with EV point
The house is within a stone's throw from lovely cafes, restaurants, pubs, wine bar and lovely independent shops and supermarkets.
Nearby you will find
-Beautiful beaches
-Walks and hikes
-The Connemara Greenway
-Children's playground
-Theatre and Cinema in the Station house Hotel
-Full leisure center with 18 metre pool and Gym in the Station House Hotel where you can purchase day or week passes
-Connemara National Park
-Connemara Golf Club
- Sea and lake fishing
- Boat trips to the Connemara islands - Inishbofin, Clare Island
- Kylemore Abbey and gardens
- Killary Fjord, Leenane - Take the boat on the Fjord followed by lovely lunch at the Misunderstood Heron food truck or the purple door cafe
- Great collection of local independent shops offering designer and vintage clothing, art, crafts, antiques, interiors, jewellery and gifts
- Live music in various venues around town.
A beautiful and interesting coastal town at the edge of Connemara, Galway, Ireland
Sunnybank House is a very popular choice for gatherings of friends and family. Ideal for family reunions, celebrations, multi generational family holidays, events or just a big weekend away.
We offer options for in house catering - have local chefs come to the house and cook dinner for the whole group, or eat out in one of the many restaurants and bars including our own @guysbarclifden specialising in local seafood, where you can book a private lunch/dinner in our charming and cosy snug and back bar.
WEEKENDS / SHORT BREAKS
We offer weekends/short breaks from October to May, for up to 24 people.
Whether for family or friends, activities or escapes, you can enjoy a weekend in the capital of Connemara, with the town just a short walk away,
Book any of the following weekends with us and we will offer a third night on a complimentary basis (Sunday or Thursday) 12 October 2024, remaining November weekends and February 2025.
Weekend activities can include :
* Personalised Wine experience with Anke Hartmann
* Adventure activités with Real Adventures
* Hiking in the Twelve Bens / Maam turks
* Sea swimming and Steam sauna - sweathouse.ie (max 16 people at a time)
* Private pilates class around the pool or in house.
CLIFDEN TOWN
Clifden town is the capital of Connemara one of the most scenic regions in Ireland. Established in the early 1800’s at Clifden Bay, it follows the classic 19th century layout: oval in plan, with 3 principal streets – Market Street, Main Street and Bridge Street, a Market Square, a fine bridewell or gaol, courthouse and harbour.
Clifden today is a vibrant and cultural town which has retained its historic roots while offering a wide range of services and facilities. You will find colourful streets with a great selection of small local food shops – (fishmongers, butchers, fruit and vegetable store, delicatessens and a bakery), numerous craft and gift shops, art galleries and exhibitions and other interesting shops including antique shops, designer clothes shops, jewellery and vintage shops.
There are 9 restaurants and 10 pubs with music sessions each evening and good bar food. On the practical side there are four supermarkets, including Aldi and Lidl, which are open until 9pm (mon-sat), two banks, three chemists, two petrol stations, two churches and a post office.
Set on the edge of the Atlantic, the surrounding scenery is spectacular, and waiting to be discovered.
CONNEMARA
A vast coastal region world renowned for its wild and stunning scenery, and magical light. It is dotted with small villages and historical sites. To the north is stretches to the border of Mayo and the town of Westport is 45 mins., drive from Clifden.
To the east it reaches to Galway city, which is one hour's drive from Clifden and well worth a visit. To the south is the Connemara Gaelteacht area- an Irish speaking area which is famous for its coral strands.
THINGS TO DO:
- WALKING AND CYCLING:
The area is a walker’s paradise whether following a planned route or just ambling along country roads and beaches, of which there are many. You will find a folder of 20 different Connemara walks in your house or follow the road signs around the countryside which indicate good routes for walking or cycling.
Bicycles and electric bikes can be hired throughout the year.
- Sea Swimming
There are on your door steps some of the most beautiful beaches in the country - ideal for sea swimming all year round
-Sailing
Whether you are sailing to Clifden or wish to go sailing, contact Clifden boat club which is located at the end of the Beach road. They offer Sailing courses throughout the summer.
ADVENTURE AND WATER SPORTS
Two of the country’s best adventure centres are located within 30 minutes drive from Clifden. Killary adventure centre and aerial park + Delphi adventure centre. They offer daily and weekly courses for both adults and children in sailing, windsurfing, orienteering, kayaking, rock climbing, bungee jumping, water skiing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, amongst others.
Real Adventures - For private guided activities in or around Clifden including hill walking, rock climbing, kayaking on Clifden bay and surfing – for individuals or groups – All equipment provided, so no excuses !
You can also go scuba diving in a most beautiful area, north of Clifden. The Scuba Dive West Centre is one of the most established dive centers in the country and offers courses for all levels.
CRUISES AND BOAT TRIPS
The Killary Fjord Cruise is a 1.5 hour cruise along Ireland’s only Fjord with an interesting talk on the history of the area. There are several sailings daily between April and October.
The Brazen Hussy – is a solid, ocean-going boat for day charters around the Connemara coast and islands, sea fishing or whale and dolphin watching.
Worth a visit.......
CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK
Some of the most spectacular vistas can be seen from any of the National park walks, which range from a half-hour gentle ascent to a full climb to the peak of the Diamond Mountain, approximately 4 hours to the summit and back.
Home to Connemara ponies, wild goats and Irish deer there is also a history museum, café, children’s playground and picnic area.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for information on the above activities.
Amenities
Pool
Pets allowed
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
Hot tub or spa
TV
Wheelchair accessible
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Clifden
Reviews
4.9
Outstanding(19 Reviews)4.9
Our family of 16, ages 76-4, enjoyed a wonderful week at Sunnybank house. We loved having enough room (and bathrooms!) for all I’ve rented a lot of vacation houses over the years and never been in one as well equipped! Everything you could possibly need for cooking was there It’s also walking distance (really) to several good restaurants. Clifden is the perfect location to explore Connemara and Mayo.
4.9
We thoroughly enjoyed Sunnybank house. There's
plenty of room to be alone or with company. All the bedrooms are ensuite, so there were no problems getting everyone out of the house for early tours or other activities. The house was clean and tidy and has a very pleasant ambiance. Kitchen was well equipped and the sauna was very popular with the older grandchildren. Great place to spend a week in Ireland.
4.9
Sunnybank House is exactly as described. Highlights for our group of 18 family and relatives include: evening gatherings around the two peat-burining fireplaces with a variety of Irish Whiskeys; a very short walk to the pubs and restaraunts in Clifden, having a chef cook a delicious dinner in our own kitchen for all of us to enjoy, sightseeing all around Connemara; golf at the Connemara Links course just 15 minutes away; and wonderful pub visits out in the country...especially Paddy Coynes pub in Tully Cross. Overall a great place to stay in a great part of Ireland.
4.9
Loved the house- plenty of room for 18 of us.
Great location- short walk to town center
The owner,Shane O’Grady was always attentive to any issues- we had a wonderful week!
4.9
Property is ideal for large groups and in a perfect location. There were a number of small issues that made the stay just a touch less than perfect. There are 11 bathrooms but several are not totally functional - no problem for us since we weren't using all the bedrooms but would be a problem with a full house - different issues in one toilet takes over an hour to refill, in a couple the shower pressure was off etc. Check-in is 4 and check-out is 10. Both on the extremes. Communication beforehand was perfunctory at best - referred to a brochure rather than given any personal recommendations or suggestions for the town or the area. Unexpected (I may have missed this in the property description) charges for utilities at the end of the stay. Unusual booking arrangement - all paid upfront and no refunds (but I knew and accepted this) All in all, I would still recommend this house but it has its quirks.
4.9
Our family of 23 stayed at the Sunnybank House for the week and wish it was longer. The description in the listing cannot compare to the beauty of this home! Shane is a fabulous person who was always available at a moments notice! We can only cherish every day we spent in Clifden - from the beauty and convenience of the house and grounds to the wonderful people in the town of Clifden. We had the best food and the most talented people playing music every night in whatever restaurant we went to. Everyone and everything was perfect! I know our grandchildren are looking forward to returning to catch up with the wonderful friends they made in the short week we spent. We had dinner catered by Gillian on Monday night for our granddaughters 21 birthday - it too was perfect from set up to clean up! What a delightful woman! She even made a birthday cake to celebrate the occasion! My husband and I have traveled to Ireland on four occasions and we have to say this trip will forever be the most cherished.
4.9
We were so thrilled with how beautiful this house was and so convenient for our large group. Each bedroom had an ensuite bathroom which was so nice for all of us. We just felt so comfortable. The house was clean, beds were comfortable, the pool was warm, and even though the O'Grady's had just welcomed their first child into the world the day before we arrived Sean made it a point to get over at least twice during our visit to make sure everything was going well.
The village is a quaint town with very friendly residents. Lots of pubs with live Irish folk music, cafes, bakeries, butchers, and other stores, activities, and points of interest very close by. We rented a car in Dublin and drove to Clifden, which was nerve-wracking as driving in Ireland can sometimes be a challenge. We discovered you can get tickets on Citilink bus from Clifden to Dublin for $20 Euro which is quite cheap.
All in all, I would recommend Sunnybank House to anyone with a large group as we all enjoyed our stay. I would also recommend staying in Clifden as opposed to Dublin which was a little too big and too fast-paced for all of us that were looking for some Irish history and culture.
Thanks to Sean and Rachael for making Sunnybank House such a lovely home away from home.
4.9
What a fab place to stay. Shane had the fire lit and a lovely welcome pack of treats when we arrived. The house feels like home even though its huge. Our families had plenty of space to stretch out. The children loved paying hide and seek and the grown ups loved just relaxing. The house is very clean with all modern conveniences including an ice maker. We had our wedding week long celebration here and it exceeded our expectations. Gillian catered for us and everyone raved about the food. I loved the special effort she made for my fussy vegetarian needs. I'm told the lamb was amazing. We highly recommend this beautiful house in a very special location as a wonderful backdrop for lifelong happy memories.
4.9
20 of my best friends and family members from all over the US, Ireland and the UK convened in Clifden at Sunnybank House and Lodge to celebrate my birthday and that of my duaghter's father in law. Having been to Ireland before we thought we knew what to expect but Sunnybank exceeded all of our expectations. From booking imquiries right up to checking out Shane O'Grady, who we dubbed "The hardest working man in Galway" was as efficient and helpful as anyone could hope for. The property itself is just about perfect for a crew like ours. Each bedroom was lovely and comfortable.
The kitchen, what a kitchen ! Feeding the lot of us was a breeze, Shane recommended a boat captain who took us out to the sea where we caught more than enough fish to feed us all a couple of times over. Directly from the sea through the kitchen and into the dining room and voila a meal that will be remembered for a long time.
But the Fiesta mas grande was when Gillian came in and took over the kitchen to cook up delicious Irish feast for us.
A short stroll of a couple of blocks and you're into town for shopping or just hanging around beautiful Clifden . Getting to Kylemore Abbey, Galway town and the Aran Islands is easy from there.
Somehow Shane was able to order up a week of sunshine for us so we could swim in the pool every day.
I have polled my constituency about our stay for this review and the results are unanimous.
We love this place!!
4.9
Stayed in the 4 bedroomed seaside cottage over the May bank holiday weekend. We booked this as a surprise for my mother-in-laws 60th birthday. Absolutely fabulous. Would highly recommend this for a family holiday or for 4 couples heading away for a rural break. Clifden is about 5 mins down the road in a car, and cheap as chips in a taxi if you fancy a few pints in the town. Cottage is well kitted out, nicely finished, wifi, sky tv, etc. etc.
4.9
We booked Sunny bank house for our wedding at the start of May 2011. On arrival in the house we were blown away. Believe me when I say that the pictures of this house do not do it justice. We had 15 People staying in the house and it really felt like a home not just a rental. As a wedding venue we could not have asked for more. As a holiday home it is exquisite. On arrival Shane had the fires lit and some goodies for us to nibble. I would recommend this home to anyone who is looking for a truly amazing space and memories that will not soon be forgotten.
Thank you for a wonderful time.
4.9
The Seaside Cottage was great for our family visit. Just 10 minutes from downtown Clifden, the renovated house included all the amenities needed for our stay. A great kitchen, open living room, and WiFi are included. Shane and Rachael were terrific hosts and answered all of our questions. Close to the ferry in Cleggan, the house has a nice view of the Bay. We would not hesitate to recommend this house to others and we look forward to returning soon.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Clifden?
The average price for a rental in Clifden is $193 per night. This rental is $1,898 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Clifden's premier holiday home with heated pool + sauna - sleeps 24. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Clifden's premier holiday home with heated pool + sauna - sleeps 24. Enjoy the water!
Is Clifden's premier holiday home with heated pool + sauna - sleeps 24 pet friendly?
Yes! This house is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Clifden's premier holiday home with heated pool + sauna - sleeps 24?
We found 14 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, pets allowed, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.
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