ABOUT BAYFIELD HOUSE
Bayfield House isn’t your usual holiday rental—it’s our family home, lovingly restored and full of stories.
Sitting right on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way, in the tiny hamlet of New Quay, it’s a place where time slows down, the views stretch for miles, and every guest becomes part of its history.
This 200-year-old farmhouse has been in our family for generations. Our great-great-grandparents built it, and we’ve spent countless summers here, swimming at New Quay Beach, walking the Flaggy Shore, and gathering around the big dining table. Now, we’re delighted to share it with you.
Welcome Home!
A place to unwind
Bayfield is a proper home. It’s big, comfortable, and full of nooks and crannies where you can curl up with a book or sip a drink while watching the sunset over Galway Bay. There’s a huge, lived-in sitting room with a wood burner, a bright garden room, and a kitchen that’s seen its fair share of stories (and a few baking disasters).
With six bedrooms (including a separate studio annex), there’s space for everyone—whether you’re planning a big family get-together or just need a quiet escape. Out of peak season, we also rent just the ground floor (sleeps six) at a lower rate.
The gardens roll right down towards the bay, with three acres of space to explore. Sit outside with a coffee in the morning, listen to the birds, and just be—it’s that kind of place.
Bayfield isn’t just a house—it’s a living piece of our family’s past and present, tucked into the heart of the Burren and overlooking the ever-changing waters of Galway Bay.
Built almost 200 years ago by our great-great-grandparents using local limestone, it’s stood through storms, stories, and generations. You can still see the age of the house in the thick stone walls—some nearly two metres wide— and in the character that fills every room.
Bayfield was originally a working farm, and though it’s no longer full of animals, you’ll often see cows grazing in the front field. Over the years, the house has seen family come and go. Like many Irish families, some of ours moved to Britain throughout the last century, while others remained in Ireland—some in the Burren, others in Connemara. Fittingly, the two sides met in the middle at the Galway Races, where our grandparents first crossed paths.
During World War II, our mother and her sister Valerie lived in Bayfield while our grandmother brought them back from London to escape the bombings. Our grandfather, meanwhile, was skippering merchant ships across the Atlantic. Those wartime years left strong memories—both of the house and the surrounding landscape—and we grew up on those stories.
A family place
When our mum took over the house in the 1980s, it had fallen into serious disrepair. The thatched roof had collapsed, cows wandered in and out through the front door, and we used to scramble over the ruins like it was a giant climbing frame. The orchard was wild and overgrown, and we’d push through the long grass to play under the old apple trees. We lived in the back studio, cooking on open fires and washing in the sea. It was very simple, and very magical.
Restoring Bayfield always felt like a dream—an impossible one. But slowly, bit by bit, Mum Moya started the work. The roof went on first (we’d have loved to keep it thatched, but finances said otherwise), and then the rest of the house followed. Every penny Bayfield has earned since has gone back into it. We’ve tried to preserve as much of the original feel as we can while also making it a warm, relaxed space to stay. Michael the builder has been an incredible driving force in returing Bayfied to its former glory.
From Ruin to Restoration
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An early view of the 1900
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Painting of Bayfield House by Edward Hynes
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Bayfield before the renovation works
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Bayfield before the renovation works
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Roof construction begins
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A young Maxx during the renovation works in the 80s
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The roof is almost completed
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Moya and John Kenna surrounded by their five children (from lest Louis, Rowena, Armorel, Rupert and Maxwell)
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A young Mike har at work in Bayfield House
Uncle Edward and His Art
We can’t talk about Bayfield without mentioning our great uncle Edward, who lived here until the early 1980s. He was a wonderful and fairly well-known artist—if you look around the house, you’ll spot some of his prints and paintings (yes, we’ve mostly got the leftovers, since he sold all the good ones!). The "Studio Room" is named after him—it’s where he painted. If you’d like to see more of his work, head to Durty Nelly’s Pub by Bunratty Castle. You’ll find loads of his paintings there, signed "Hynes." Here below a small selection of his artwork.
The Magic of Bayfield
✔ Ridiculously Good Location: Right in the Burren, with wild landscapes, secret beaches, and endless places to explore.
✔ Big & Comfy: A proper home, not a polished rental—spacious, cozy, and full of character.
✔ Family History: Built by our great-great-grandparents and loved ever since.
✔ Perfect Base for Exploring: The Flaggy Shore, Cliffs of Moher, Galway City, and the Aran Islands are all nearby.
✔ Flexible Stays: Full house or ground floor only, depending on your group size. Just ask Maxx.
✔ Feels Like Home: Many of our guests come back year after year.
If you’re looking for a house with soul, a place where you can kick-off your shoes and properly relax, Bayfield House is waiting. We’d love to have you.
