Mentioned by theconnacht.ie
Family Activities in Galway | The Connacht Hotel Galway | Things to Do
"The finely-restored 19th-century Twelve Hotel in Barna is another grand little base for those exploring the county. Located a handy 3-minute ramble from the pier, the Twelve Hotel offers a ‘Pampered Pet Program’ that’s designed to ensure that your pets can soak up some 5-star service. The hotel itself is finely kept, with modern rooms, top-notch service and several cosy chill-outs spaces on offer."
"The hotel/gastropub is situated in Barna Village - a 10-minute drive from Galway. On the top floor, you'll find the fine dining restaurant with a wine list that has won multiple international awards. Our favourite spot is downstairs in The Pins Gastro Bar - the pizzas, stacked with local ingredients, are super."
"Despite recent development at this seaside village, Barna has retained some of its old charm around the harbour area – and its location, handy to both Connemara and Galway City, is a huge attraction. And so is Fergus O’Halloran’s uniq ..."
"Drawing their inspiration from the landscape and culture of the Gaeltacht of Connemara, the crafts people who work, display and sell their products at the Spiddal Craft Centre produce a range of handcrafted quality products which is representative of this area. Visitors shopping in Galway can immerse themselves in a whole different experience, as they can observe the crafts in the making and chat with the master crafts people in the individual studios. The variety of products include Pottery, Candle Making, Leather Working, Woodturning, Jewellery, Hand Weaving, Silk Painting and Batik."
"Ok, admittedly, this technically isn’t a market, but it has that rustic and beautifully, homemade one-of-a-kind feel that any good market offers, and for that alone, Culture Trip highly recommends a visit. The Spiddal Craft Village is a rural business spot for a host of arty producers, people who blow glass, paint Galway’s sublimely rugged landscapes, weave baskets, cook in beautiful bakeries and a serve up an awarding-winning stop-off at the restaurant and coffee shop. In other words, it’s a very worthwhile aside."
"Builín Blasta is a friendly kind of place, offering a truly Irish Céad Míle Fáilte to everyone who wanders through their doors. They offer award-winning vegan options such as their lentil spaghetti bolognese with cashew “parmesan” and their super tasty vegan sandwich with chermoula, roasted mushroom, tomato and caramelised onion on homemade sourdough rye bread. If you’re looking for a sweet fix, treat yourself to one of their delicious vegan desserts and a warm cuppa."
"If you like your outdoor dining to have those scenic seaside vibes, take a trip out to Spiddal and treat yourself to something tasty from Builín Blasta. They have an amazing range of baked treats, whether you prefer sweet (like a mango cheesecake!) or savoury (like a black pudding and blue cheese jambon!!). Loads of outdoor seating, doggy-friendly, wheelchair accessible and with a cute craft village next door to browse around."
"As soon as you sit down in Salthill’s Ground & Co, you’ll feel your worries slip away as comfort sets in. If you fancy starting your day with a dip in the sea, this spot is the perfect place for a post-swim brunch. Chef Leroy’s homemade sausage roll definitely deserves honourable mention, but the entire menu will get your stomach rumbling."
"Watch chocolate being made in small batches using rare Trinitario cacao beans and raw sugar on a 45-minute tour of this heavenly smelling cottage-housed chocolate factory in a picturesque hillside location. If you don't catch a tour, peer through the factory's glass viewing windows from the chocolate-filled shop. Its on-site organic cafe (dishes €6.50 to €12.50) uses chocolate in creations like parsnip, cacao butter and white-pepper soup, and grilled halloumi and chocolate-and-plum-chutney toasties."
"On the shores of Galway Bay, the Connemara Coast Hotel is the perfect place to spend a little me-time, especially in the luxury spa. Book time in the Therapy Rooms and look forward to an Aromatherapy Massage or more rigorous Swedish massage. Natural aromatic oils are used in the Hot Stones Massage that delivers deep heat to inner bone and tissue."
"The finely-restored 19th-century Twelve Hotel in Barna is another grand little base for those exploring the county. Located a handy 3-minute ramble from the pier, the Twelve Hotel offers a ‘Pampered Pet Program’ that’s designed to ensure that your pets can soak up some 5-star service. The hotel itself is finely kept, with modern rooms, top-notch service and several cosy chill-outs spaces on offer."
"The hotel/gastropub is situated in Barna Village - a 10-minute drive from Galway. On the top floor, you'll find the fine dining restaurant with a wine list that has won multiple international awards. Our favourite spot is downstairs in The Pins Gastro Bar - the pizzas, stacked with local ingredients, are super."
"Despite recent development at this seaside village, Barna has retained some of its old charm around the harbour area – and its location, handy to both Connemara and Galway City, is a huge attraction. And so is Fergus O’Halloran’s uniq ..."
"According to them: “A true hidden gem on Ireland’s romantic west coast, O’Grady’s on the Pier in Barna is uniquely situated on the shores of Galway Bay. Located right down on the Pier in Barna Village, O’Grady’s offers a stunning, relaxed location in which to enjoy the freshest, locally sourced and well prepared seafood and meat dish.”. Visit their Facebook page for more info: O’Gradys on the Pier"
"This super fish restaurant was the first place chef Aidan McGee (now Head Chef at Corrigan's Mayfair) worked. The biggest selling point is its glorious views over Galway Bay - but the seafood-heavy menu is also full of delights. More about O’Gradys on the Pier"
"A seafood lover’s paradise, O’Gradys is located right on the pier in Barna, just outside Galway city. Seating is limited and it’s walk in only, but risk it. Believe me, you won’t be sorry."
"Moody and evocative, this marvellous ruined former Cistercian abbey is 1.5km inland from Bellharbour, in a quiet green hollow, surrounded by the stark grey Burren hillsides. It began its long decline in the 15th century but the surviving vaulting in the presbytery and transepts is impressively intact and some striking Romanesque carvings remain."
"North of the Square, Ennis Friary was founded by Donnchadh Cairbreach O'Brien, a king of Thomond, between 1240 and 1249. A mix of structures dating between the 13th and 19th centuries, the friary has a graceful five-section window dating from the late 13th century, a McMahon tomb (1460) with alabaster panels depicting scenes from the Passion, and a particularly fine Ecce Homo panel portraying a stripped and bound Christ."
"The original Knappogue Castle was constructed in the year 1467 by Sean Mac Conmara, who was the son of Sioda Mac Conmara; it is a large medieval tower house, that originally served the purpose of a watchtower during the midst of much military conflict. During the 19th century, like many castles in Europe and Ireland, Knappogue Castle was restored into the style of the Gothic and Medieval era, after being acquired by Theobald Fitzwalter Butler, 14th Baron Dunboyne, in the year 1855; they spent a large amount of time renovating and restoring the castle, whilst also adding several additions to it, such as the drawing-room, the long room, and a west wing. Where: County Clare, IrelandWhen: 1467Style: MedievalOpen for visit: Yes, for more information check here."