Ionad Na Feamainne, The Seaweed and Heritage Centre, in Lettermullan, County Galway, is situated on the coast of Connemara, an hour's drive from Galway City. Lettermullan is the most westerly of three islands that make up the archipelago. It is a remote Irish speaking area that is untouched, unspoiled and unexplored.
Begin the day with a full body massage and a visit to the steam room. Then try an invigorating bath with seaweed taken from the cleanest waters in Europe.
Next, visit the adjoining heritage centre that houses artefacts from Connemara life dating back 200 years or search the digitised database of newspapers and view photographs of local families. Admission is free.
When it is time for lunch, head to the Seaweed Café to enjoy delicious scones and pastries made with traditional and modern recipes, using local seaweed.
After lunch, the guide will go to the highest point on the Island of Leitir Mealláin, where you will fill your eyes with amazing vistas. View the Aran Islands to the south, the wild Atlantic to the west, the village of Roundstone, nestled in the Twelve Bens, in the northwest, and the unique Cnoc Mordáin and Maum Turk Mountains to the north.
The guide will point out the many unspoiled beaches on the island, where you can experience a little bit of paradise.
The shop sells all sorts of seaweed based products and you can even arrange to take a soap making class and create you own souvenir.
- Provides a range of activities such as guided scenic hikes, seaweed baths, steam room, massage, soap making and more.
- The heritage centre is free and encourages you to look up local records and photographs, while exploring traditional life in Connemara.
- Has a café with treats made using seaweed, and a shop with seaweed based products.
- Practice some of your Irish language with the locals.
