Rachel Gaffney’s Letter From Texas - Within The Village

The famous foodie who’s flying the tricolour for us in Texas reflects on the true meaning of luxury – and of great hospitality 

When I hear someone say something is "within the village" I think of hidden stories, belonging, tradition and familiarity. It evokes a sense of timelessness, closeness and nostalgia. I also know, from growing up in Ireland, that small villages are very layered. Community is what makes a village work like no other place I know. Cradled in the heart of Roundstone, a small but captivating village 48 miles northwest of Galway City, lies ‘Within The Village’, a cluster of 5 self catering cottages, redefining luxury travel. The Bracken, The Bog Cotton, The Lichen, The Kelp and The Sea Cottage are all served by an outdoor communal space, designed by award winning landscape gardener, Mark Grehan, who has created this space for guests to relax and enjoy views of the mountain and seas.

Scattered across Ireland are places that stir the imagination, where creatives, nature seekers and the culturally curious all find something that speaks to them and Roundstone Village is one such place. Within The Village is perfectly placed in this intimate setting, steps from the sea and moments from the village’s quiet heartbeat. It isn’t a typical luxury stay with room service and restaurants. Instead, it’s a home that invites you to slow down, to be present and to feel connected. Connecting with the people of the village, connecting with the landscape and indeed, probably even more importantly, connecting with the people travelling with you. I visited Roundstone in May of this year and met with one of the owners, Maria Murphy. Maria’s enthusiasm and passion for this special place is contagious. These cottages have been meticulously restored.

Original fireplaces, sash windows, and natural materials like slate, linen, and wool reflect the muted palette of the surrounding hills and seascapes. The interiors blend heritage with modern comfort, with antique accents and layered lighting creating a soothing, lived-in atmosphere. Spacious, welcoming rooms invite rest and reconnection, making it clear this is a place to breathe, reflect, and belong. The kitchens are fully equipped for slow mornings over fresh soda bread and freshly pressed coffee, long lunches with local cheeses, or cozy dinners by the fire. Guests can visit nearby smokehouses for local seafood, or arrange for a private chef to prepare a feast showcasing the best of Connemara’s land and sea. Concierge services can also organise guided hikes, seaweed baths, yoga, or local art workshops - all designed to deepen your connection with this special corner of Ireland.

Outside, the Atlantic breathes gently over Bertraghboy Bay, and the Twelve Bens mountains stand guard in the distance. This is a place that invites you to stop speed dating with Ireland, a phrase I use all too frequently but one that perfectly captures the ethos of Within The Village. Too often, travellers rush through Ireland’s beauty, ticking off sights without truly experiencing them. Here, you’re encouraged to pause, linger, and absorb. To savour stories told by locals, to watch tides change colour with the light, and to find stillness in the wild Atlantic air.

Just under a mile beyond the village, a bridge connects to Inishnee Island, a peaceful, windswept place with walking trails, grazing sheep, and breathtaking Atlantic views. Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Beach, just minutes away, boast white sands and crystal-clear waters that rival any tropical shore.

In Roundstone, luxury means belonging. It means waking up in a home that feels like part of the village itself, where the line between visitor and local blurs. It’s about the small moments, enjoying a coffee at The Coffee Cottage or O’Dowd’s Cafe, enjoying some pan fried Roundstone Bay scallops at the Roundstone Bay Hotel, sharing a pint in O’Dowd’s pub, sitting on the sea wall watching the fishing boats glide across the bay and more importantly meeting Irish people. Within The Village isn’t just a place to stay in Roundstone; it is Roundstone at its most beautiful, inviting you to slow down and discover the Ireland you came to find.

At its heart, great hospitality, isn’t about what’s offered, but how it makes you feel.