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Easter in Galway is a magical time for families, with the city and surrounding areas bursting with fun-filled activities, egg hunts, and special events. Whether you’re planning a relaxing Easter hotel break away, looking for an exciting Easter adventure, or simply wanting to make special memories with your loved ones, Galway has plenty to offer.
Here at The Connacht Hotel, we’re adding to the Easter excitement with delicious seasonal dining, magical entertainment, and a lively kids' disco, perfect for families looking to celebrate in style.

Looking for the perfect family getaway this February midterm? The Connacht Hotel has something for everyone, ensuring fun, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences for all ages. From exciting entertainment to family-friendly accommodation and exclusive perks, it’s the ideal destination to create cherished memories with your loved ones.

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, and what better place to celebrate it than in the charming and vibrant city of Galway. Whether you’re planning a cosy date with a loved one or looking to make it a memorable day with friends, Galway has you covered. Here’s a guide on how to celebrate Valentines Day in Galway.

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 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. 

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! 

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!

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

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.

In ainneoin na ndúshlán a bhí roimh thionscadal turasóireachta na Gaillimhe in 2020, tá cuideachta amháin i nGaillimh atá meáite ar theacht slán, beag beann ar gach rud atá ina coinne. Tá teacht aniar agus neart á léiriú ag Grúpa Fáilteachais Chonnacht sa tréimhse dhúshlánach seo. Is gnólacht teaghlaigh é an Grúpa atá lonnaithe i gCathair na Gaillimhe agus ba iad buaiteoirí Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh in 2018.

Simon Community

For the past four years, Galway Simon Community’s annual Sleep Out has made a significant impact on homelessness prevention services throughout the county. Sadly, the event cannot take place as we know it this year, but whether you spend the night in our back gardens or bed down on the living room floor, the most important thing is that we continue to come together in solidarity to help raise desperately needed funds and awareness in support of those facing homelessness.

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.

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.

If you are planning an Easter Break in Galway we've put together a list of some of the top things to do this Easter in Galway

We’ve asked our team here at the Connacht Hotel for their Top Choices for Things to Do and Family Activities in Galway, to help you plan the Best Family Hotel Break in Ireland. We've included some all-weather options so no matter hail, rain or sunshine - you can keep all the family entertained. 

The team in the Connacht Hotel are once more celebrating success in the The GreenHospitality.ie Programme. The only Irish developed environmental certification standard for the hospitality sector. 

The GreenHospitality.ie  awards are recognised both nationally and internationally. The accreditation and guidance allow members to achieve best practice environmental performance and empowers visitors to be able choose “Greener” hospitality businesses knowing that defined criteria are being implemented and monitored.

Congratulations to Accommodation Team who recently won the Gold Award for Accommodation at the IASI Awards. A well-deserved award for a very hardworking team at the Connacht Hotel. 

Accommodation staff are the unsung heroes of the hospitality industry. A hotel is only as good as the team that it has working in it and to ensure that when guest check in that they get the best experience one of the most important functions within and hotel is the Accommodation team. The role is vital and is it great to see this hard-working department recognised for the superb work that they do.  And the Connacht Hotel accommodation team have recently received Gold in the IASI awards for the third year in a row.

As part of our recent redesign and reconfiguration of the ground floor, we have added a Barista Bar to our hotel lobby. Upon arrival through our doors, you are now greeted with a smile from expertly trained barista team.

We recognised the evolving expectations of our guests and our new Barista Bar is open from 7am during the week and from 8.30am at weekends, serving a range of specialty coffees, gourmet sandwiches and freshly baked goods.t.

Eclectic, elegant design with bespoke artwork and the playful use of colour and textures throughout the new design create a warm and welcoming space.

We’ve reconfigured the whole ground floor within the hotel to include a new coffee dock in the hotel lobby with inviting social spaces, alongside the full refurbishment of Bar Solo and Ruebens Restaurant.

Galway’s Connacht Hotel was honoured at the recent Galway Chamber Business Awards 2019, taking home the prize for their 50th anniversary campaign.

The Connacht Hotel won the award for Best Marketing Including Social and Digital Media, which is sponsored by Galway City Council, for the year long efforts which have gone into celebrating half a century of service. The Connacht was founded in 1969 as the Galway Ryan Hotel with an ethos of keeping at the forefront of what tourists were looking for in a holiday.

The Connacht Hospitality Group has recently achieved the Failte Ireland Service Excellence Award across all its properties and is the only hospitality group in Galway to boast this accolade. In order to achieve the “Fáilte Ireland’s Accredited Service Excellence Award” a business must demonstrate that a minimum of 75% of the management and staff have completed the Fáilte Ireland Service Excellence Programme.

There are few things more deliciously indulgent that an afternoon tea, and now your little ones can join in with the fun, too with our Family Afternoon Tea at the Connacht Hotel. This is a truly family-friendly afternoon tea  in relaxed surroundings with warm and attentive service. Perfect to mark a special occasion or to gather with friends and family.

Summer Holidays fly by, so let’s create some memories of days out and adventures with the family to last a lifetime. Family life is busy and demanding but just oh so rewarding when you get a chance to take a break and enjoy some quality family time together.
Reconnect and recharge those batteries with a summer break in Galway. We’ve got some great summer family packages with a wide choice of family rooms and self-catering apartments in Galway, along with onsite family dining, swimming pool and a well organised Kids-club – we’ve got your summer breaks covered!

If you are planning a Midterm Break with all the Family this Halloween, we've put together a list of some of the family-friendly events taking place throughout Galway over the October Mid-term Break.  As proud sponsors of MACNAS -  YOUNG ENSEMBLE, the highlight for us has to be the annual Macnas Parade that takes to the streets on Sunday 27th October. Here's some of the highlights from previous years to give you a taste of what is to come. 

It’s just over six months since we began or focus on turning the Connacht Hotel into a greener and more environmentally friendly business. Since then we have seen an amazing buy in from our team and countless benefits to the business The first step was to set up a Green Team with members from every department in the hotel. They were and are all tasked with making their own department more environmentally friendly as well as coming up with suggestions for the hotel in general.

We are so proud that we can show in the first 6 months of this year; 

Reduced our straws by 16%
Reduced our Paper usage by 19%
Reduced our Paper cup usage by 75%
Increased our recyclable waste increased by 20%
Reduced our Gas units by 4%

Anyone else feeling a bit sad after the last three brilliant weeks of festivities in Galway, it almost feels like we are on the run in to the C word already. Fear not Galway is the county of festivals and there is no shortage of fantastic events on the horizon. From next Monday August 12th Galway Pride kicks off with a week long schedule of events. From panel discussions in Irish, Mental Health Events, Comedy Nights and of course the Pride Parade there’s something for everyone in this years Galway’s Community Pride Festival.

We are delighted to welcome back so many families, year after year here at the Connacht Hotel. Guests who have stayed with us over the last 50 years return again and again bringing their children and even their grandchildren back for their Summer Holidays in Galway.

Re-connect and bring the whole family together this Summer. We look forward to welcoming you & making lifelong memories!

Galway Daily spoke with our Guest Relations Manager, Louise Petite. 

Galway’s Connacht Hotel has been a stalwart part of the travel and tourism landscape in Galway for decades, and on its fiftieth anniversary is celebrating a lifetime of ensuring that families get the best possible experience in the west.

Lousie Pettit is the Guest Relations Manager at the Connacht Hotel with the best part of 20 years experience creating unforgettable holiday experiences there. She’s far from the longest serving person on the team however, with some members of staff who have worked there since the 70s and seen the hotel evolve many times.

As we celebrate our 50th year, we've compiled a list of 50 Reasons We Love Galway...

HotelsCombined, the Australian-based hotel meta-search company, has started an extensive survey covering different types of accommodations within Ireland. This survey is based on gathering data from millions of guest reviews, and translating them to an official Recognition of Excellence.

The HotelsCombined Recognition of Excellence is not a ranking list but a group of outstanding accommodations chosen based on a strict set of criteria. In order to be considered, properties must meet the following criteria:
• At the time of judging, a winner is rated 8.00/10 or over with a minimum of 50 customer reviews certified by HotelsCombined.
• We couldn’t detect any major customer service problems, nor recurring or unresolved issues.

If you are looking for Easter Sunday Lunch on Galway for all the family. Join us in the Connacht Hotel, where family dining is our specialty.  Enjoy a menu bursting with local flavours, using local produce and suppliers in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring the whole family together, with options for group dining or larger parties available.

PRICE: €27.00 per person. Children Menus available.
BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES: Contact us today to make a booking on 091 381200 or events@theconnacht.ie

We're delighted to celebrate our 50th Anniversary this year. 1969 - 2019.

As part of our continued celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Connacht Hotel, we commissioned a video to celebrate a number of our longest serving staff members. One of the fundamental elements that this hotel is built on is that it’s “The People that make the Place!”. The friendly atmosphere which we pride ourselves on here in The Connacht Hotel is down to our team and how they engage with each other and our customers.

#Connacht50 #Connacht50Years 

The Connacht Hospitably group recently made a presentation of cheques to three very deserving charities in Galway. Throughout 2018 the group Sports and Social Club in the group ran a number of events to raise much needed funds for these causes. This year’s charities were Down Syndrome Ireland, Hand in Hand and Galway Hospice. 

Keep up to date with events and sports with our weekly blog from the Connacht Hotel. 

VALENTINES MENU

It’s getting to that time of year again, Valentines Day is only around the corner and we are feeling the love here in The Connacht Hotel. We have a romantic menu which will bring out the love this February 14th.  To begin we have a sharing platter with homemade smoked duck fillet, wild mushroom crostini, tarragon crème fraiche, smoked salmon roulade, tempura scampi and lots more.  For the main course we have a choice of Grilled 8oz Steak, Baked Fillet of Sea Bass, Baked Cornfed Chicken, and St Tolas Goats Cheese, Spinach and grilled tomato parcel. For dessert, we have delicious treats you’ll love as much as your date! This fantastic offer is for just €30pp so drop us a line on 091 381200 and book today!

Keep up to date with events and sports with our weekly blog from the Connacht Hotel. 

Reusable Cups

We are a very environmentally conscious here in the Connacht Hotel, we have a Green Team consisting of staff members from every department in the Hotel aiming to make the company as green as possible. One of the very popular initiatives is our Reusable Cups. They are available to purchase in Bar Solo for the price of €5 with your first tea or coffee purchase completely free. Additionally, any time you use our or indeed any Reusable cup you get 50cent off your tea or coffee. It’s just one small step but every little helps. Pick up your cup the next time you visit The Connacht Hotel.

Keep up to date with events and sports with our weekly blog from the Connacht Hotel. 

The Connacht Hotel, one of Galway’s longest established hotels, is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019. Originally opened as the Galway Ryan Hotel in 1969 with almost 100 rooms, it was seen as a catalyst to the tourism industry in the city.

Mr Dermot Ryan, the Chairman of Ryan Tourist Holdings in 1969, is quoted as saying: “Our aim is to offer good food and first-class rooms with private bathroom suites at down to earth prices aiming at high occupancy spread over the whole year,” with the average price to stay in the hotel at that time just over a pound in old money.

Macnas the award-winning internationally acclaimed spectacle theatre company from Galway, led by Artistic Director Noeline Kavanagh have teamed up with The Connacht Hospitality Group in support of The Macnas Young Ensemble.

Macnas are known across the globe for their large-scale interactive, immersive spectacle events for audiences, communities and festivals, with their shows involving up to 300 participants with audiences of 50,000 people in attendance.

We are delighted to sponsor Macnas here in Galway and this year we got the opportunity to be part of the Halloween Parade, 'Out of the Wild Sky', on Sunday 28th October through the streets of Galway City.

It’s not just the win that makes for a great Galway Races. Kieran O’Malley of the Connacht Hotel has advice on making the most of your time with the Tribes.

1. Guys, wear sunglasses, we’re not sure about the weather but with the hat designs you’ll come across, chatting to the wrong lady could cost you an eyeball.

2. Ladies, bring flats. Like the famous course, the end of the final furlong can be an uphill battle. Bring some comfy shoes to ensure you make it past the finishing post.

3. Bring a brolly. It’s Galway – at some stage the fake tan will be running faster than the horses!

We are delighted to be a Platinum Friend of the Festival once again for the upcoming Galway International Arts Festival.

If you are planning a trip to Galway for the Galway International Arts Festival, from 16th - 29th July 2018, there are numerous events suitable for young and old.

We’ve teamed up with MyKidsTime and asked them for their reccomendations for Things to Do in Galway for Familiesand they have come up with, not just a Top 10 but '11 Unusual Activities for Families to Enjoy in Galway'. 

Summer Holidays fly by, so let’s create some memories of days out and adventures with the family to last a lifetime. Family life is busy and demanding but just oh so rewarding when you get a chance to take a break and enjoy some quality family time together.
Reconnect and recharge those batteries with a summer break in Galway. We’ve got some great summer family packages with a wide choice of family rooms and self-catering apartments in Galway, along with onsite family dining, swimming pool and a well organised Kids-club – we’ve got your summer breaks covered!

We’ve asked our team here at the Connacht Hotel for their Top 10 Choices for Family Activities in Galway, to help you plan the Best Family Hotel Break in Ireland this summer:

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.