The Quay House

With its harbour views, eclectic furnishings, bedrooms full of home comforts and hosts who exude warmth and joviality, Quay House is a Connemara institution. The former Georgian harbourmaster’s house and neighbouring buildings, run by ‘extremely welcoming’ Paddy and Julia Foyle as a B&B for 28 years, is delightfully unique. Antiques, curios, paintings and mirrors dot the fire-warmed ground-floor rooms: a zebra rug here, vintage binoculars there, and antlers and bison horns clustered on walls. With ‘good-quality’ Georgian and Victorian furniture, the overall feel is comfortable rather than cluttered. ‘Spacious, country house’ bedrooms follow the same style, most with harbour views and many with balcony or terrace. Bathrooms are large, with bathtub and shower. Breakfasts, in the plant-filled conservatory, are ‘delicious and filling’ with freshly squeezed juice, home-baked bread, and cooked dishes including devilled kidneys, the ‘full Irish’, locally smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. ‘As good as anything we have eaten anywhere.’ Service is ‘warm and prompt’ and the Foyles love sharing local knowledge. (RH, and others)