Dan O'Hara Homestead in Galway

This award-winning heritage centre offers a unique insight into the history and culture of Connemara. Dan O'Hara's story illustrates the life of a typical 19th-century Connemara tenant farmer before the famine. The multi-lingual audio-visual and history presentation tells both about Dan O'Hara's tale from his eviction to subsequent emigration to New York and the history of Connemara down through the ages, from pre-historic to present times.

On the farm, you can see various animals raised by Martin and Nora, including cattle, sheep, donkeys, chickens and the famous Connemara ponies. Also take part in farming activities such as turf cutting, sheep herding and soda bread baking. A ringfort, a crannóg (artificial island) and a clochán (dry-stone hut) have been reconstructed on the farm for you to see.

Don't forget to enjoy some afternoon tea and scones at the restaurant and check out the craft shop with a large selection of knitwear, marble, jewellery and other gifts from the region. From the hilltop above the farm, there is a spectacular view of the Roundstone Bog as it stretches towards the Atlantic.

The centre offers 3 different entertaining and educational tours for student groups:

• Old sod turf cutting tour
• Farm visit & chat with Martin about farming, agri-tourism
• Bread/scone making demo followed by tea/coffee & scones

Want to keep up to date with Martin and Nora? You can find them on twitter:

#nationalbreadweek my favourite bread! soda bread made the #traditional way #wildatlanticway #loveyourloaf

Dan O'Hara Homestead (@danoharafarm)

Are you interested in seeing more of Connemara's stunning nature? Then Connemara National Park just to the north of the farm should be your next destination on your daytrip in this region - best start your hike at the visitor centre about half an hour away!