Roundstone (Irish: Cloch na Ron, meaning “seal’s rock”) is a picturesque village on the west coast of Ireland, in the Connemara region of Co. Galway. Known as a haven for people in the creative arts, it also hosts a regatta in July. The area to the north of Roundstone was occupied by the O’Flaherty family, who built a Dominican Priory nearby in the 15th century. Roundstone was established by Scottish engineer George Nimmo in the 1820s, while building houses, roads and harbours throughout the west of Ireland. Fishermen from Scotland settled there, and in 1835 a Fransciscan Monastery was built. By the end of the 1840s it had a thriving fishing industry and a population of 400 people. For many years some of the most important figures in Irish Art have painted there, including Paul Henry, Jack B. Yeats and others. (source: Wikipedia)

With the backdrop of the hills of Connemara, and a fresh sea air all around, Roundstone is a gem of a place. To get up early on a summer’s morning and watch the mist burn off the hills is a joy.