Oughterard (Irish: Uachtar Ard, meaning “the height on the upper side of the river”) is a small town on the banks of the Owenriff River close to the western shore of Lough Corrib in County Galway. The population of the town in 2006 was 1,305. Located 26 km northwest of Galway on the N59 road, Oughterard is the chief angling centre on Lough Corrib, and is also known as the ‘Gateway to Connemara’ as it is on the border of Connemara.

Three kilometres outside the town stands Connemara’s best preserved late-medieval tower house, Aughnanure Castle. It is strategically positioned on a rocky outcrop overhanging the Drimneen River, close to the western shores of Lough Corrib. Built in the late fifteenth century, the castle served as the stronghold of the O’Flaherty Gaelic lords of Iarchonnacht (West Connacht) for over two centuries. See more info here.

Ross Castle is also located a few kilometres outside Oughterard. The mansion, which is visible today, was built by the Martin family in the 17th century but there is some evidence still present of the original castle structure, built in the 15th century by the O’Flaherty family, in its foundation (see https://vimeo.com/72311211 for more information). There is also a golf course within the grounds of Ross Castle.

The ‘Quiet Man Bridge’ is located 8 kilometres past Oughterard, down the Leam Road, which was the setting for the 1950s film The Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.