Conn O'Mara

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Conn O'Mara

Conn O'Mara: Part-time mascot, full-time adventurer; regardless of the weather🌦️

Shop my tees, hoodies and other goodies in-store and online!🌍

Conn O'Mara was born in 2001. A friendly chap who enjoys life. With Conn the glass is always half full. Life is grand even when he is being chased by a cloud of Midges. He is happiest running through the mountains or beaches of Connemara usually in the company of his trusted sheep Seamus. So keep a lookout for him when you are out and about and if you do meet him his big smile will be sure to remind you that life is grand in Connemara.

11/09/2026

Did you know Connemara has a pirate past?

The wild Atlantic coast, with its hidden coves, rocky islands and towering cliffs, is exactly the kind of place you’d expect pirates to wander.

There are thought to be more than 18,000 shipwrecks off the coast of Ireland and I’ve even heard stories of false lights being used to lure ships onto the rocks before their cargo was plundered.

The most famous pirate linked to Connemara has to be Grace O’Malley (Gráinne Mhaol).

She wasn’t called The Pirate Queen for nothin’ I tell ya.

Although born in Mayo, she made Connemara her home after marrying Donal O’Flaherty and lived at Bunowen Castle, Castle just out the road there near Ballyconneely.

That legendary spirit inspired our Pirates of Connemara...arr! kid’s collection for little
adventurers.

Pirates of Connemara…arr! kids hoodie and tshirts are available in my shop on Market Street, Clifden.

Treasurrrre awaits 😊

Conn O’Mara

20/08/2026

I don’t want to say it, but I bet you’re thinking it.

It’s hard to believe we’re here again…

How are the kids back to school at the end of the month already?

You’d be forgiven for dreaming of Connemara. Back to the landscapes, the people, the coffee, the food, the drink, the craic.

Where the only traffic is sheep on the road in front of ya.

You can’t always be in Connemara but you can always wear a piece of Connemara, wherever you are.

Keep Connemara Dreamin’ and pick up your own Connemara Dreamin hoodie or tshirt in my shop on Market Street.

Conn O’Mara

31/07/2026

Have ya heard about it?

Now, I’ve never seen it myself, but some say it’s a beast with ten arms. Others say it’s a crocodile with no head. A few swear it’s just a seal with notions.

With the Omey Island Races on this Sunday, you’ll be able to check it out for yourself.

Whatever it is, it’s been seen splashing across the strand at dusk, fast enough to make me peddle off in a panic.

Omey Island is tidal meaning if the water beast doesn’t get you the tide might.

The race starts at 2pm and you can pick up your own Omey Island hoodie and t-shirt for adults and kids from my shop on Market Street.

Conn O’Mara

17/07/2026

If you visit Inishbofin, don’t make this mistake.

You’ll never get it wrong again.

I meet so many people who spell it wrong that I decided to put it on a t-shirt and hoodie.

There’s only one “f” in Bofin.

The ferry is only 30 minutes from Cleggan Pier.

Be sure to visit Doonmore Hotel when you’re on the island. Tell them I sent ya. The craic is 90 and the food is even better.

The views are something else!

The Westquarter Loop Walk is about 8km and on a clear day, if the light is there and if you squint just right, you can almost make out America 😊

And if you’re real lucky you might hear or see a corncrake.

If you’re heading to Inishbofin and you want to give the locals a laugh, pick up your own There’s Only One “f” in Bofin t-shirt and hoodie for adults and kids at my Conn O'Mara store on Market Street in Clifden.

Conn O’Mara

25/06/2026

If you learn to say nothing else in Irish…learn this!
Cá Bhfuil an Seisiún?

Where is the session? Now, usually the session means a trad session or a bit of a party
Often it starts with a sing song. Next thing you know, JohnJoe has the accordion out. The music keeps playing and the party keeps goin, long into the night.

Most days of the week there’s a session somewhere in Connemara and you’ll be spoiled for choice with sessions around Clifden.

If you’re going to your own session, you can pick up a Cá Bhfuil an Seisiún hoodie and t-shirt in my shop on Market Street.

You can’t miss me outside sure.

18/06/2026

Have you done it yet?

Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park.

I got lost up there once and only for Seamus, my sheep, I’d probably still be wandering around 😊

“It’s a walk in the park,” they said.

Yeah, a park halfway up a mountain!

The mist came down so thick I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.

But sure, Seamus wasn’t worried.

He plodded ahead like he had a built-in sat nav and a pair of mist-vision goggles.
Next thing you know, we were back on the right path and I was taking all the credit.

If you’re planning on tackling Diamond Hill yourself, don’t worry. It’s well worth it for the views. Or at the very least, a story for afterwards.

And if you’d rather leave the navigating to Seamus, you’ll find the two of us in my shop on Market Street, Clifden where you can pick up your Diamond Hill t-shirt and hoodie.

15/05/2026

Well done to Ross and his crew completing the Connemara International Marathon last month.

It’s the closest I ‘ve gotten to the finish line of a marathon 😊

Sure ya never know, you might see me on the start line next year.

I love seeing you all wearing my hoodies and tshirts and don’t be a stranger, call in next time you’re in Clifden.

Conn O Mara

10/04/2026

Ya can’t have Clifden, without the ceol.

Clifden is known for a lot of things and music is for sure one of them.

For the last 15 years, the Clifden Trad Fest has been on in April and this year’s festival is in full swing right now.

If you’re wondering ca bfuil an seisuin? Where is the session? Sure there’s seisuins in pubs and bars all over the town.

There’s a busking competition on Saturday afternoon.
And then Saturday at 7:30pm, live on the Gig Rig, The Pipers Cross Ceili Band are headlining.

You might have heard of them because they were crowned All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band Champions at The All Ireland Fleadh 2023.

If you are going to the Clifden Trad Fest, you might like my Ca Bhfuil an Seisuin hoodies and tees.

I’m open til 6pm every day and if I don’t have the colour you want, I can print it while you wait.

-Conn O’Mara

03/04/2026

If you’re fortunate to find yourself in Clifden for the weekend, what are your plans?

This is what I plan to do…

Eat rings around myself hopping between all our lovely restaurants in the town.

A stroll to the Happy to Chat bench and to the beach for a picnic.

I’ll go for a swim in Clifden Station House Hotel and check out the Seaweed Baths.

Go for a sing-song until my voice is gone.

After that I’ll plonk myself in front of the fire.

I might climb Diamond Hill on Sunday, we’ll see. Sure, it’s a walk in the park 😊

I saw there is an Easter egg hunt down at the Connemara Pony Show Grounds tomorrow, Saturday, 12pm-2pm so I’ll pop down to that.

And sure if you’re here too, be sure to call in to my shop on Market Street.

-Conn O’Mara

27/03/2026

Is there a train station in Clifden?

There was but…

A train hasn’t left the station since 1935.

The train station opened in 1895 and before then, people and goods travelled by cart, stagecoach or sea.

By 1935, the railway line was in a right state altogether.

And the powers that be at Great Southern Railway closed the line. The last train pulled out of Clifden on Saturday 27th April of that year.

It was felt that the railway could not compete with the growing number of cars and road transport and so it was decided the cost of repairs was unjustified.

And that was that.

You can still see the bones of it today.

The old station house is now a hotel and museum at and you can see glimpse into what was with some of the original features on show.

But sure, if you have any old stories about the railway line, I’d love to hear them.

You know where to find me on Market Street 😀

Conn O’Mara

Address

Market Street
Clifden
H71DA24

Telephone

+3539522838

Website

http://www.connomara.com/

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