Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [336]
Most of our accommodation recommendations have private parking or offer discounted parking at nearby car parks. Enquire when you book.
Budget
Galway’s many hostels all offer discounted bookings on tours and activities.
Salmon Weir Hostel ( 091-561 133; www.salmonweirhostel.com; 3 St Vincent’s Ave; dm €14-20, d €44-50; ) Galway’s hippie vibe finds its spiritual home in the Salmon Weir’s guitar-strewn lounge room, where informal jam sessions take place most nights. The hostel has a share-house feel, including shared bathrooms for all rooms. There’s no breakfast, although coffee and tea are free. The train and bus stations are a five-minute walk away.
Ballyloughane Caravan & Camping Park ( 091-755 338; galwcamp@iol.ie; Ballyloughane Beach, Renmore; campsites from €15; Jun-Aug) This family-run camping ground is clean and secure, and its beachside location affords sweeping views across the bay. It’s off the Dublin road (N6), 5km from Galway.
Galway City Hostel ( 091-566 959; www.galwaycityhostel.com; Eyre Sq; dm €19-26, d €50-80; ) This cheery spot directly across from the train station is so close you may just wander over barefoot. Recently renovated, on balmy days (by Galway standards) you can take your breakfast cereal out onto the balcony. Reception is open 24/7.
Kinlay House ( 091-565 244; www.kinlayhouse.ie; Merchant’s Rd; dm €19-30, d €60-70; ) Easygoing staff, a full range of facilities and a cream-in-the-donut location just off Eyre Sq make this a top choice. Spanning two huge, brightly lit floors, Kinlay House belies the dirty powder-blue exterior. Amenities include two self-catering kitchens and two cosy TV lounges.
Other recommendations:
Sleepzone ( 091-566 999; www.sleepzone.ie; Bóthar na mBan; dm €13-28, d €52-76; ) Big (over 200 beds), busy backpacker base has plenty of services, including a pool table and BBQ terrace. Party-goers beware: no alcohol is allowed on the premises. Reception is open 24/7.
Claddagh Hostel ( 091-533 555; www.claddaghhostelgalway.com; Queen St; dm €15-30, d €60-80; ) Small, central multilevel terrace house with glassed-in lounge-cum-TV-room. You can rent bikes.
Barnacle’s Quay Street House ( 091-568 644; www.barnacles.ie; 10 Quay St; dm €15-40, d €64-98; ) Very central, this well-run hostel is housed in a medieval building with a modern extension. The kitchen is spacious and there’s a warm common room with a big gas fireplace. Breakfast includes scones and soda bread.
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AND THE FUN NEVER ENDS
Galway’s packed calendar of festivals turns the city and surrounding communities into what feels like one nonstop party – streets overflow with revellers, and pubs and restaurants often extend their opening hours.
Highlights include the following:
Cúirt International Festival of Literature ( 091-565 886; www.galwayartscentre.ie/cuirt) Top-name authors converge on Galway in April for Ireland’s premier literary festival, featuring poetry slams, theatrical performances and readings.
Galway Arts Festival ( 091-566 700; www.galwayartsfestival.ie) A two-week extravaganza of theatre, music, art and comedy in mid-July.
Galway Film Fleadh ( 091-751 655; www.galwayfilmfleadh.com) One of Ireland’s biggest film festivals, held in July around the same time as the arts festival.
Galway International Oyster Festival ( 091-522 066; www.galwayoysterfest.com) Oysters are washed down with plenty of pints in the last week in September.
Galway Race Week ( 091-753 870; www.galwayraces.com) Horse races in Ballybrit, 3km east of the city, are the centrepiece of Galway’s biggest, most boisterous festival of all. Thursday is a real knees-up: by night the swells have muddy knees on their tuxes and are missing random high heels. The week occurs in late July or early August.
Also Click here for information on Galway hooker boat races, Click here for more oyster-related events, Click here for bodhrán (hand-held goatskin drum) workshops and Click here for