Overview
Spiddal (An Spidéal in Irish, meaning 'the hospital' in its older sense of a place of shelter or hospitality) is a village of 254 residents on the north coast of Galway Bay in Connemara. It would be a most welcome stop in bleak Connemara, with night coming on, the rain lashing down and your horse limping.
Beach · Day Trips
Before you go
Accommodation
Limited options in Spiddal itself. Budget for €100-160 B&B double. Spiddal Caravan & Camping Park is 1 km inland, open May-Oct.
Connectivity
4G available from all Irish carriers as of May 2025. No 5G yet in this area.
Culture
Part of the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region). Furbo has 80% housing reserved for Irish-speakers. Irish is the everyday language here.
Money
Euro (€) is the local currency. ATM facilities available in nearby larger towns. Most establishments accept card payments.
Transport
Bus Éireann 424 runs hourly from Galway to Spiddal (35 min). Connemara Airport at Inverin has flights to Aran Islands. You need your own vehicle to explore beyond the coastal road.