Galway for under £100 a night
YOU REAP THE REWARDS!WE POUND THE STREETS ...
WHILE many visitors to Ireland make a beeline for the buzz and bustle of Dublin or Belfast, Galway offers a calmer but no less enriching slice of Irish life, particularly for lovers of music, sea air and scenery. Nestled in its bay on the west coast, the streets of this small, historic and walkable city are alive with musicians, visitors and people enjoying its countless pubs.
Where to stay
■ The Lane
Built into a Sixties office building, this hotel has an interior you would expect to find in Manhattan, with a wood-panelled reception and rooms that, while compact, are tastefully decorated. it’s also connected to a pizzeria, a gym and a hairdresser.
Doubles from £85, thelanegalway.ie
■ The Nest Boutique Hostel
DON’t be fooled by the word hostel: this residence in the seaside Salthill area is a world away from sweaty backpackers. All rooms are en suite and have a stylish Scandinavian feel. With an inclusive breakfast, it’s a savvy choice.
Doubles from £72; thenestaccommodation.com ■ Flannery’s tHE choice for people who want scale at a budget price. it’s a bus ride to the centre, but offers the feel
What to see and do
■ Hear traditional music
MUSIC is everywhere in Galway and The Crane Bar ( thecranebar. com) in the city’s West End is something of a cathedral to Irish music, from individual acts to open sessions.
■ Take a walking lki tour
TRIBES Tours of Galway ( tribes toursgalway.com) does an excellent 90-minute route and you pay what you think is fair.
■ Galway City Museum
A MORNING spent visiting this free museum will teach you much of what you need to know knowabout about Galway and andIr Ireland ( galwaycitymuseum.ie). )
■ Browse O’Maille’s
THIS 80-year-old institution is part shop, part cultural experience. While selling Aran knitwear, owners Anne and Ger O’Maille will happily provide local tips ( omaille.com). of a pricier hotel, with a restaurant and bar playing live irish music. Ask for a room on the right-hand side for beautiful views across Galway Bay.
Doubles from £115; flanneryshotelgalway.com
Where to eat
÷ McDonagh’s
McDonagh’s has been serving its famous fish and chips (£9 to £13) for more than a century. Split down the middle — fish and chip bar to the left, seafood restaurant to the right — you won’t be disappointed by either side. mcdonaghs.net ■ Carroll’s tHiS pub is a one- stop shop for a good night out in Galway. there’s beer, obviously, regular trad sessions (where more than a dozen musicians often gather) and in the beer garden is Crust Bucket: a bus serving delicious pizzas (£9 to £11). crustbucket.ie ■ Papa Rich iF yOu’vE got only £10 in your pocket, there are few better places to spend it than this pan-Asian restaurant. that’s the most you can spend on any main course dish here, from pad thai to tikka masala. papa-rich-woodquay. business.site
How to get there
RyANAiR london to Shannon return flights cost from £15 ( ryanair.com). Find out more at ireland.com.