We are an Irish-Scottish family of two adults and two girls aged fourteen and sixteen.  David is a geologist and Aine a university teacher.

We have completed eight exchanges - to France (twice), Austria, Sweden, Spain (twice), Germany and Denmark and we enjoyed each one greatly. We like to travel and have also been to other countries in Europe and further a field.

We live in a new contemporary detached house c.175m2 in size in the town of Athenry, Galway. Our house was completed in September 2019! We live in a very quiet private development on the outskirts of Athenry (just 8 houses here) but we have all the amenities of a small town on our doorstep. We have a back garden with a space for outdoor dining and a swing-seat and a front garden with flowers. We have three bedrooms, which can sleep up to six people, 3 bathrooms, 1 kitchen/diner (open plan), one sitting room, a utility room and a study.Nearest supermarket is 5 minutes walk from our house, there are restaurants, local pubs and a hotel in Athenry and a medieval castle. Athenry is 24km from Galway city and takes 25 minutes to drive by car. There is a train station in Athenry where it takes 20 minutes to Galway by train. You can also take the bus from Athenry to Galway.
We have a Skoda Roomster and Seat hatchback (we swap one car). Our house is 1 hour drive from Shannon Airport and 2 hours from Dublin Airport, or you can take the train from Athenry to Dublin - 2 hours. 1 hour 15 mins from Ireland West Knock airport.  Limerick City is 1hr drive.  Cork City 2 hrs drive.
Loughrea Lake (Long Walk), 15 mins drive. Here you can swim as it is a Blue Flag lake.
The nearest large beach is in Salthill in Galway city (about 35 minutes drive), swimming and diving here as well as a long promenade, restaurants, bars, cinema, shops. A very popular tourist spot. Galway is European City of Culture for 2020, so there will be so many cultural events happening here in the Summer.We can provide lots of info. https://galway2020.ie/en/programme/ https://www.giaf.ie/info/galway/galway-2020
We are near the village of Oranmore (10 mins drive) which has a woodland park area with walks, picnic area and children's playground (Rinville Park) situated on the Atlantic Ocean and a sailing club as well as a castle and shops and restaurants http://oranmore.galway-ireland.ie/ 
Clarinbridge village with lovely cafes and restaruants, Moran's on the Weir a well know seafood restaurant with views of the water is just 15 minutes from our house http://clarinbridge.galway-ireland.ie/
Kinvarra village on the Atlantic ocean with castle, traditional pubs with music, cafes, 25 mins drive. http://www.galwaytourist.com/towns/kinvara/
Surfing at Lahinch or Fanore, County Clare 1 hrs drive.http://www.lahinchsurfschool.com/   http://www.surfschool.tv/
Two famous festivals in Galway in July - The Galway Arts Festival http://www.galwayartsfestival.com/ and The Galway Races http://www.galwayraces.com/
 
Bunratty Castle 50 mins drive (direction Limerick)http://www.shannonheritage.com/Attractions/BunrattyCastleFolkPark/
The Burren Limestone Mountain Region beside the Atlantic Ocean 30 mins drive. http://www.burrennationalpark.ie/
Horse riding with organic restaurant (Slieve Aughty Centre) is 40 mins away.
Numerous golf courses nearby including: Oranmore, Gort, Loughrea and top class links courses at Lahinch and Doonbeg.  All within 1 hr drive.