There's plenty of hotel and B&B accommodation in the centre of Clifden, though everything can be very busy in July and August. The best hotel in the area is the Ardagh , Ballyconneely Rd (tel 095/21384, ardaghhotel@eircom.net ; A?90-110/a?¬114.28-139.67), a family-run, informal hotel, its relaxed ambience created by candles and scented burners. Other fine hotels include the large, modern Station House Hotel (tel 095/21699; station@eircom.net ; A?70-90/a?¬88.88-114.28), and Erriseask House (tel 095/23553, erriseask@connemara-ireland.com ; A?70-90/a?¬88.88-114.28) on the road to Ballyconneely on the shores of Mannin Bay. The best value B&B in the area is Winnowing Hill , Ballyconneely Rd (tel 095/21281; A?33-40/a?¬41.90-50.79), while nearby and also good-value are Maureen Kelly's FA?ilte , Ardbear, off Ballyconneely Rd (tel 095/21159; A?40-55/a?¬50.79-69.84), which does good family reductions, and Hylands Bay View , Westport Rd (tel 095/21286; A?40-55/a?¬50.79-69.84), which also offers discounts for families and lives up to its name with a sweeping panorama of Streamstown Bay. There are several hostels in the centre of town: The Clifden Town Hostel , Market St (IHH; tel 095/21076) is by far the best one, and is tastefully decorated with prints by Paul Henry and other well-known Irish artists. Family rooms are available from A?35/a?¬44.45 and there is an Internet point in the hostel (A?1/a?¬1.27 for 10 minutes). If this is full head back down Market Street where, near the river, is the less comfortable, though adequate, Brookside Hostel (IHH; tel 095/21812; A?26-33/a?¬33.01-41.90); the least comfortable option is the independent Blue Hostel (tel 087/2295654, tommyrua@aol.com ; A?26-33/a?¬33.01-41.90) at the other end of town near the pier.

There are plenty of places for bike rental : try John Mannion, Bridge St (tel 095/21160), who also stocks Gaz canisters. There is a Cyberlink Internet Cafe (daily 9am-6pm) in the Station House shopping complex off the Galway Road. Clifden's laundry is in Main Square. Pony trekking is organized at Errislannan Manor (closed Sun; tel 095/21134; A?20/a?¬25.40 for one and a half hours), which is about a mile beyond the Alcock and Brown Memorial, south of Clifden on the L102. Wind-surfing is available at the boat club, Coast Road. Dinghy sailing can be arranged through Clifden Boat Club (tel 095/21711 or 087 241 8569; A?120/a?¬152.40 for a week-long course) - the setting is superb. The Island House, Market St (tel 095/21379, www.walkingireland.com ), organizes guided walks (4-5hr; around A?15-20/a?¬19.05-25.40), focusing on the archeology and natural history of Connemara; an excellent way to explore the countryside, especially if you're travelling alone or don't have your own transport.