Ballyvaughan is a vibrant seaside village located in the heart of the Burren, overlooking Galway Bay. It was recently voted No. 1 Irish holiday destination by Irish holidaymakers because of the variety of things to do, places to see, and experiences to enjoy. At the Saturday Farmers' Market, you can buy fresh local produce - from honey to Burren lamb and most things in between, have a coffee and cake, chat with the locals and enjoy the occasional Irish music session there. Try the legendary chowder for lunch at Monks Pub and Restaurant on the pier (www.monks.ie), or the homemade pasta at l'Arco in the main street (www.burrenrestaurant.ie). Shop for local vegetables supplied daily, as well as free-range eggs and other delicacies, at Annie’s Honesty Box near New Quay (15 minutes away). See “bean to bar” chocolate making at Hazel Mountain on the way (www.hazelmountainchocolate.com). Stock up on fresh shellfish from Martina’s nearby, or drop in to Linnane's Lobster Bar, recently featured in "John Torode's Ireland", for locally sourced lobster and other treats (www.linnanesbar.com).

If fine dining’s your style, Michelin-starred Gregan’s Castle Hotel (www.gregans.ie) and the Wild Honey Inn (www.wildhoneyinn.com) are less than 30 minutes away.

Ballyvaughan is directly located on the Wild Atlantic Way, a world-famous coastal route that includes the renowned Cliffs of Moher (http://www.wildatlanticway.com). Our house is 25 kms from Doolin, famous for its traditional Irish music, where you can also take the ferry to the Aran Islands, three of the most unspoiled islands in the Atlantic. Other interesting places to visit, less than an hour away, include the market town of Ennis, with its myriad lanes and local shops, or Ennistymon, with its renowned Cascade Falls and river walk,and Kilfenora with its collection of High Crosses dating back to the 12th century. Nearby Gort and Coole Park have long connections with the poet WB Yeats and other artists and writers associated with the Celtic Revival in the early 20th century.

For centuries, the Burren Region has been a centre for Celtic artists, poets and artisans. From traditional music to limestone caves to ocean kayaking, from golfing and fishing to prehistoric monuments and hill-trekking, Ireland's Burren Region has something for everyone. This plateau of North-West Clare is part of the UNESCO Burren Geosite, internationally famous for its beautiful limestone landscapes and the remarkable flora of the region as well as its rich archaeological heritage (www.burrengeopark.ie). Farmers in the Burren have been employing sustainable farming methods for centuries. The area also hosts 70 wedge-tombs, the most famous of them being Poulnabrone, ring forts, caves and castles.