Folklore: Granuaile Centre - Life and times of Grace O’Malley - the pirate queen
Fishing: There is Excellent free shore fishing. River fishing on the Carrowniskey and Bunowen Rivers. Also the world renowned Delphi Fishery 15 minute drive away and excellent fishing at the Eriff Fishery. ( Sheamus Heneghan owner of Silver Strand House will give advise to interested parties. He is a keen fisherman and angler ) Angling boats for hire.
Walking: Scenic walks and hill climbs.- most noted Croagh Patrickand Mweelrea 2,600 ft.( at back of silver strand house ) Connacht’s highest mountain.
Swimming: Blue flag beaches, Carramore and Old Head. Cycling: Bicycle hire available in Louisburgh and Westport.
Delphi Adventure Centre and Spa 15 minute drive. Day trips by ferry to Clare Island and Inishturk from Roonagh Pier. Cruises on Killary Fjord. 18 hole golf course and pitch and putt available in Westport. Horseriding At Westport and Leenane.
Entertainment Traditional pubs and music: The owner of Silver Strand House is an All - Ireland Accordion Champion and plays in the local pubs and can organise 'trad sessions". Nightclub: Teen and Adult live Entertainment. Dining out locally: Restaurants, Pub - Grub, Take away, Cafe. Transport: Taxi and Mini Bus Hire available locally.
The house is tucked away down a sleepy lane just a stroll from the beach.The scenery is as dramatic and unspoiled as any of the western shores of Europe. In a survey to find the 10 best beaches in Europe, The British Travel Magazine " What Holiday " had this to say :
"For solitude the Atlantic beaches along the West coast of Ireland are unbeatable : mile upon mile of deserted sands, blustery, melancholy and magnificent. This bleak and fractured coast is at its best at Thallabawn Strand., near Killadoon ,Louisburgh. Its virtually uninterrupted 7 mile stretch of hard sands interspaced with rocky pools and little coves. There are dunes beyond the sand and marshland beyond the dunes and rarely another soul in sight."
This is the strand we (Silver Strand House ) have almost to ourselves - just a stroll away.
Carrowniskey and Cross are excellent surfing beaches -- 5 minute drive away. The ½ hour drive from Westport to Silver Strand House runs along the island - studded Clew Bay, under the shadow of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain of pilgrimage.
To the north lies Achill and near Silver Strand House Clare Island and Inishturk uprises in the Atlantic. To the south lies Connemaraless than an hours drive away. Connemara National Park & Kylemore Abbeymay be reached via Leenane along the scenic Doolough & Killary Fjord drive . (The only Fjord in Ireland ).