News & Stories

The festive season in Galway is packed with excitement, and it’s the perfect time for families to come together and make cherished memories! From sparkling lights and winter markets to cosy family outings, Galway offers endless ways to celebrate the magic of this special time of year. Here at The Connacht Hotel, we are so excited for the festive season and can’t wait to welcome families for a holiday filled with joy, warmth, and unforgettable memories! We’ve put together an itinerary filled with festive cheer and fun for all the family.

Spooky season is here, and there’s no better place for a family Halloween adventure than The Connacht Hotel! With plenty of fun activities and Halloween-themed events, both at the hotel and around Galway, there's something for everyone to enjoy. From our friendly fellows’ kids' club to our Family Halloween Celebration and disco, your little ones are in for a treat. Plus, Galway offers a variety of family-friendly attractions, from pumpkin patches to ghastly treasure hunts. Join us for a spooktacular stay and create magical Halloween memories with your family this year!

Autumn is here, and Galway is bursting with colour and energy! As the leaves turn golden and the air gets a bit cooler, the city comes alive with all kinds of exciting events and cosy happenings. At The Connacht Hotel, we’ve put together a list of the best things to do this September, from local festivals to fun outdoor activities. Whether you’re a Galway local or just visiting, we’ve got the scoop on how to make the most of this vibrant season. So, throw on your favourite Aran sweater and get ready to dive into everything Galway has to offer this autumn!

Galway, often called the "City of Tribes," is a vibrant, artistic, and historical gem located on Ireland's west coast. If you're a US tourist with just 72 hours to explore this enchanting city, here's your ultimate guide to making the most of your visit.

The Fun Continues This Summer in Galway With a New Concert Series

Get ready for something truly special this August with the Galway Airport Summer Sessions! This brand-new concert series is set to light up Galway with ten amazing nights of live music. Held in a marquee with a limited audience of just five-thousand attendees, it's the perfect way to enjoy world-class acts in an intimate setting. Here at The Connacht Hotel, we're so excited to see Galway Airport transform into a buzzing musical hotspot. Book your stay with us and dive into the incredible vibes of Galway's newest summer event!

Read on for the full line-up of amazing acts!

As summer reaches its peak, Galway comes alive with a burst of activities and events that promise fun, engagement, and lasting memories. Whether you're a local or a visitor, there's something for everyone. Here’s a sneak peek into the exciting lineup of  "What's On in Galway" this August!

Galway Race Week with Connacht Hospitality Group

Welcome to the heart of Galway Race Week 2024!

As the excitement builds for this iconic event, the Connacht Hospitality Group is thrilled to present a week full of unforgettable experiences across our venues: The Connacht Hotel, M. Fitzgerald's Bar, An Púcán, and Hyde Bar. From thrilling horse races to the lively Galway Summer Vibes Festival, Galway is the place to be. Let’s dive into what we have in store for you this race week

Summertime is one of our favourite times of the year. It usually means we get some nice weather, we have a few days booked off, and there’s a good vibe in the air.

It also means there’s something fun happening somewhere around the city pretty much every hour of the day.

Luckily for you, we’re here to make it easier for you to find out what’s going on, where, and when. 

Another month brings another list of fun, engaging, and memorable events taking place across Galway. April means we are edging towards Summer, but it also means lots more amazing get-togethers, events, and interesting family-friendly happenings. So, join us as we run through the latest edition of ‘What’s on in Galway’!

With March comes Springtime, brighter days, and the promise of even more events and activities than we had last month. As always, there’s a great array of things happening across Galway, and this guide has you covered with lots of the information you need!

Easter at The Connacht Hotel means family fun, an eggstravaganza of treats, and plenty of reasons to get out and about to explore.

So, if you’re looking for a family-friendly experience at a Galway hotel, we have so much to make your visit as enjoyable as it deserves to be.

Plus, we’ll even throw in a few incredible additions to really make your Easter enjoyment the best it deserves to be.

This St. Patrick’s Day, you owe it to yourself to book a stay at The Connacht Hotel.

We love this national holiday because it celebrates so much about why we love this country and what it represents. We’re here to help you maximise your enjoyment of the March 17 festival, and you’re welcome to extend your stay either side of that date.

After all, there is so much to savour and explore around Galway City. So, let’s dive in!

Another month brings another list of fun, engaging, and memorable events taking place across Galway. February means we are edging towards Spring, but it also means lots more amazing get-togethers, events, and interesting family-friendly happenings. So, join us as we run through the latest edition of ‘What’s on in Galway’!

The first month of the year means new beginnings and a chance to explore fresh adventures. As always, Galway is filled with possibilities in January, and we have you covered with our handy What’s on in Galway guide – so, let’s take a read!

With the 12th month of the calendar year comes festive fun, holiday season charm, and lots of great new memories to be made. As usual, Galway is the place to be – and there are lots of events and activities to enjoy around the City of Tribes. So, join us for our What’s Happening in Galway December edition!

Another month brings another list of fun, engaging, and memorable events taking place across Galway. November means we ready for those wintery vibes, but it also means lots more amazing get-togethers, concerts, and interesting family-friendly happenings. So, join us as we run through the latest edition of ‘What’s on in Galway’!

The holiday season is the most magical time of the year, and Christmas in Galway is even doubly spectacular.

When the lights go up, the decorations twinkle, and the novelty Christmas jumpers appear, you just know it’s time to start decking the halls and rocking around the Christmas tree. But before that, make sure you explore the City of Tribes – after all, Christmas activities in Galway are plentiful.

So, join us on a virtual sleigh ride as we dash through this list. 

Another month brings another list of fun, engaging, and memorable events taking place across Galway. October means we are well and truly into Autumn, but it also means lots more amazing get-togethers, concerts, and interesting family-friendly happenings. So, join us as we run through the latest edition of ‘What’s on in Galway’!

It’s time for another edition of What’s on in Galway, and we have lots of fantastic events on the horizon for the month of September. Whether you’re planning some nightlife fun or a family day out, we have you covered with our guide. So. Let’s jump in!

Let’s face it, it rains quite a bit in Galway – some 230 days per year in fact. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can have family fun when it rains in Galway. After all, a downpour shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the beauty and brilliance of our city.

So, grab your umbrella and splash through this list with us! 

August brings more events, live entertainment, fantastic experiences, and a chance for visitors to live life like a local. So, join us as we dive into some of the highlights you can expect to enjoy around Galway across the month!

Galway promises plenty of excitement, culture, entertainment, and more throughout July. With lots of enthralling events, get-togethers, and festival fun taking centre stage, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable month! 

With the summer well and truly upon us, it’s time to take a look at some of the events taking place in Galway throughout June. As usual, there will be so much to enjoy and engage in, whether it’s live sport, culture, or outdoor activities you’re looking for. So, join us as we bring you some of the highlights for June!

With the summer well and truly upon us, it’s time to take a look at some of the events taking place in Galway throughout May. As usual, there will be so much to enjoy and engage in, whether it’s live sport, culture, or outdoor activities you’re looking for. So, join us as we bring you some of the highlights for May!

April offers up more amazing events to engage with across Galway, and we’re really looking forward to the fun and excitement. From musical performances to family-friendly entertainment – and more – there is just so much to enjoy over the next few weeks. To make your life easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the key highlights in this month’s ‘What’s on in Galway?’

Easter 2023 is going to be eggshellent, and The Connacht Hotel wants all our visitors to have a cracking Easter family break in Galway.

Easter is a really fun time of year – and Galway is a fantastic place to make the most of it. If you’re looking for a magical, family-friendly experience, the City of Tribes is the place to discover it!

There’s so much to see and do across Galway this March – and The Connacht Hotel has you covered with a comprehensive list of the highlights. Take a read below and see what you fancy – there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

With 2023 in full swing, there has already been so much happening around Galway the last few weeks – and February will continue that trend. Join us as we dive into some of the social calendar highlights to come. You might want to mark some of these in your diary!

Christmas isn’t the only thing to get excited about this December! Galway is full of activities and events happening across the city, here’s just a small sample of what we’re looking forward to.

With the night's getting longer and the day's getting shorter, there's still plenty to keep you busy as the Winter sets in. With so much happening around Galway City & County, there’s always something to keep you entertained through the November.

Spooky season is almost upon us, so now is the perfect time to get planning your family's mid-term break. There is no shortage of fun activities in Galway this Halloween, with all these events to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect entertainment for your little ones!

Even as the evening’s start to set in earlier there’s still plenty to keep you busy. With so much happening around Galway City & County, there’s always something to keep you entertained through the Autumn. We’ve put together a list of some of the events we’re most excited about this October.

The Baboró International Arts Festival for children is Ireland’s flagship festival devoted exclusively to children and families. The 26th annual Baboró festival returns this year from Friday October 14th to Sunday October 23rd.

This festival takes places across theatres, galleries, schools and communities across Galway city and county. This year the festival will occur over an extended time period of 10 days and will feature over 50 live events!

Baboró celebrates art in all its forms, through literature, theatre, music and dance. The full festival programme will be announced on the 6th of September, but in the meantime, here is a sneak peek of the fun to come!

Just because the summer is over, it doesn’t mean the fun has to end! The festivities in Galway continue into September with the second meeting of the Galway races, the Galway International Oyster Festival and other activities around the city to enjoy.

This summer in Galway is set to be a fantastic and fun-filled one with lots of entertainment and events lined up. With so much to see and do, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

Galway is alive with fantastic events as we enter the Summer season. Sports fans can keep busy throughout the month as the Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Championship hosts three matches. Fans of theatre will have a week to soak up all the phenomenal theatrical talent as the Galway Theatre Festival returns. Galwegians and visitors alike will never be short of entertainment as singers, comedians and poets alike fill the month up with fantastic shows, nobody will be short for choice!

Both Galway natives and visitors to the city will be kept busy throughout the month of April with the spectacular array of events happening within the city both Easter themed and not.

Whether you are looking for sport, music, theatre or even a bit of magic, Galway is filled with events to suit everyone this month.

Looking to visit Galway this Easter break? We’ve found some of the best family Easter break activities happening around Galway for you can take part in. Make this an Easter to remember

What's on in Galway this March? Galway is filled with events to suit everyone this month. 

From St Patrick’s day celebrations & comedy shows to rugby matches, there’s something for everyone. 

What's on in Galway this February? Planning your upcoming stay in Galway and wondering what’s happening around the city? We've got you covered.

Galway will be alive with events, there's something to suit everyone. From concerts, comedy shows, rugby matches to the international rally, there’s something for even the pickiest traveller. 

The Travel & Hospitality Award winners have been released and The Connacht Hotel is proud to announce that it has been awarded Family Friendly Hotel of the Year in the 2021 European Travel Awards programme.

While this year has been the toughest the travel industry has ever faced, the judges endeavoured to recognise those who deserve praise and to promote the hard work of tenacious travel businesses. Recipients of Travel & Hospitality awards in 2021 were scrupulously selected based on the aggregation of reviews from multiple third-party sources. Selected by a panel of experts who analyse submission material, review customer feedback and compare the facilities of each entrant.

Mid-Term Family Activities

If you're looking for a safe, fun place for wound-up children to get out of the house and burn off some energy, this midterm then we have the answer for you. Join us in The Connacht Hotel one of Galway’s most loved family friendly hotels. We have everything that you need for a family break away here in the hotel and Galway has lost to see and do this midterm where kids can belt around to their heart's content without breaking anything, and come home wiped out. If it's a soft day and you're looking for somewhere to shelter indoors with the kids, check this list of rainy day play options in Galway. Not all activities are suitable for all ages, so be sure to request something that fits your family when booking.

Apartments at The Connacht Hotel

As people continue to explore this beautiful country of our they are looking for new twists on accommodation options. Here at the Connacht Hotel we have a host of room types including our very popular Apartments which are ideal for corporate leisure or even students who are experiencing a very different academic term for the semester ahead.

Missed Moments in 2020? Claim them back...

That’s tough on those who celebrated special birthdays, anniversaries or family events this year. However here at the Connacht Hotel its not too late to celebrate those missed moments.

If one thing come’s out of Covid19 it is a new found appreciation for this stunning little island of ours.

Check out social media any day and you are inundated with the most amazing photos from all over the country, amazing cliffs, beautiful beaches and gorgeous greenery. It’s challenging not to be able to head off to the sun but an Irish staycation is much more than a consolation prize.

Galway is known as the City of the festivals and as the Galway Races have just complete their festival behind closed doors the Galway International Arts Festival have just announced a reimagined festival for the Autumn.

The team behind the arts festival are as creative as you’ll get so it was almost to be expected that somehow they would deliver and extraordinary ensemble of online and offline offerings to once again stun the culture vultures of the city.

If you are planning a Summer Staycation in Galway we've put together a list of some of the Top Things to Do this Summer in Galway

As Ireland slowly reopens to an uncertain future we can be assured of one thing that family and spending quality time with loved ones will never be taken for granted again. Over the past few months we had to depend on technology to stay in touch as we all yearned for the days when we can pack up and explore the Irish countryside.

We hope that you are enjoying your Easter Holidays if are lucky enough to be off. It’s a busy time here in the Connacht Hotel with lots of families enjoying the faciltiies here in the hotel. We had two very special guests here this week, Connacht Rugby kindly brought in the Six Nations trophy and the Triple Crown.

When it comes to booking hotel rooms, experienced travellers know that the best way to save money is by booking direct. Here at the Connacht Hotel, booking direct is always the way to go. Our January offer, gives you the option to book now for January and pay later with your saving of 15% on the best available rate. 

Lets be realistic we all know that Galway is one of the nest cities in the world to spend time in, but at Christmas it’s particularly special. Here at the Connacht Hospitality group we have come up with a list of our favourite things about Galway during the festive season.

It’s finally here, the week we have all been waiting for, if you are going racing the best of luck, we hope you have a few wins.

Hey everyone! Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather. This is such an amazing Arts festival this year, the crowds are incredible again this time around.

Hey everyone! Hope you had a wonderful weekend, this is such an amazing time of the year in Galway. We are in peak festival season and the sun is shining, every now and again.

Happy July everybody, it's hard to believe how fast this year is going, no bigger sign of that than the fact that we are only four weeks away from the highlight of the Galway summer, the Galway Races. Speaking of which;

We are right in the middle of summer season now and its all go here in the Connacht Hotel.

Here at The Connacht Hotel we are looking forward to the summer of 2017 with events happening all around Ireland.

Here at The Connacht Hotel we are looking forward to the summer of 2017 as we launch our brand new Summer BBQ Menu. Head Chef Eddy Guragano and his team have created a mouth watering menu to delighted fans of outdoor dining.

As we start into June and look forward to the summer ahead here is a quick look at whats happening this week in the Hotel and Galway

Happy Saint Patrick’s week everybody, we always love the feast of the partron Saint but especially when it falls on a Friday.

Week two of February and love is certainly in the air. With lots of sport headed our way there is so much going on at the hotel...

Welcome to the Connacht Hotel blog, we have survived Blue Monday and are looking forward to anther busy week here in the hotel

The festive season is in full swing this week at the hotel but our spirits were dampened by the news from Connacht Rugby this week...

Sleighbells ring - are ya listenin' - in the air, snow is glistenin'....

Welcome to October and our first of a new weekly blog. This month promises to be very busy in the hotel as usual with lots going on. Each week in this blog we will be looking at events of interest both in the hotel and in Galway city.