On your Guided Tour of Connemara, it is almost impossible not to go through Maam Cross which has a big October Fair where all manner of goods are for sale from ducks, hens, and rabbits to donkeys, ponies, and horses as well as the usual fair day stalls.
Maam Cross is a settlement on a crossroads surrounded by mountains and lakes and buzzing with local life and character. Peacocks Complex is the hub of activity in this wild Connemara bog, offering sophisticated accommodation and refreshment amidst local activity and customs which have lasted down through the centuries from sheep farmers making deals at the bar counter to sheep and pony fairs outside on the crossroads throughout the year. Culminating in the big October Fair where all manner of goods are for sale from ducks, hens, and rabbits to donkeys, ponies, and horses as well as the usual fair day stalls.
When you tire of haggling for your purchases you can retire indoors to the relaxing surroundings of Peacocks bar, restaurant and hotel.
The area around Maam Cross is largely bogland, a type of peaty marsh from which "Turf" or "Peat" is harvested to provide domestic fuel. While used as a domestic fuel for cooking and heating, it is also popular in distilling the Irish version of "Moonshine" and known locally as "Poteen".
"Quiet Man" Replica Cottage at Maam Cross
There is a replica of the traditional Irish cottage used in the filming of "The Quiet Man" movie. This classic movie was filmed on location in Connemara and starred John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara with, amongst others, Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond, and Victor McLaglen in supporting roles. The Quiet Man was directed by John Ford who won an Oscar for best director. Admission is free.
