Weekender

Blathnaid Treacy’s Galway

I’d spend the weekend in Galway city,

because my husband Charlie and I had our very first weekend away there for my 21st birthday. I’m also planning on visiting Galway next year with the girls, as there will be so many Galway 2020, European Capital of Culture events happening around the city and county. For a Galway weekend, I’d stay in the Galmont Hotel and Spa.

I stayed there recently, and it was so beautiful. It overlooks Galway Bay, and it’s just a three-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Eyre Square. Charlie is a jazz musician and we’re always going to gigs, so on Friday night, I think we would have to stop by The Black Gate Cultural Centre, for some music in their jazz club. On Saturday morning, we’d pop by the centuries-old Galway Market on Church Lane and then spend the rest of the day wandering through the streets, stopping into the many great pubs and shops. Seafood in Galway is always amazing,

so Oscars Seafood Bistro is one of the places we might end up on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, before heading home, we would just casually stroll down Shop Street and find a place with the best atmosphere and menu for brunch. Galway is so culturally diverse that it hosts flavours from every corner of the world. Broadcaster Blathnaid Treacy recently launched the official programme for Galway 2020, European Capital of Culture. From food, music, dance, literature and visual arts to poetry, theatre, sport and large-scale spectacles, see galway2020.ie In conversation with Sarah Caden