Skip to main content

GALWAY & THE WEST DESTINATION GUIDE

The best things to do in Galway & the West

Travel inspiration for Your Galway & the West Vacation

Section title Icon

Welcome to Galway and the West! As your Celtic Experts, we’re here to introduce you to the vibrant local restaurants, top sights and best places to stay on your vacation to Ireland. From perfectly-planned guided tours to custom travel packages, we can’t wait to share the traditional experiences of our homelands with you.

Discover Galway & the West

Section title Icon

Explore the best places to eat, see and stay in Galway & the West

  • High Tea at Westport House
  • Galway Food Tour
  • Cycling the Greenway
  • Falconry at Ashford Castle
  • Aran Island

Top places to eat and drink in Galway & the West

Section title Icon

From hidden gems to iconic sights, these are the best places to start your very own Celtic story in Ireland. No matter where you decide to go, you’ll get authentic experiences hand-picked just for you.

Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Galway, Ireland

Fine Dining at The Owenmore Restaurant

Overlooking the magnificently appointed terraces above the majestic salmon river the Owenmore Restaurant offers a relaxed elegance. Owenmore’s team of chefs extract the very best in flavour and texture from the abundance of wonderful produce the region has to offer. Cooking with a sophisticated and light touch without over complicating their dishes the team present the very best in Irish food.

Galway Food Tour

Galway Food Tour

Join our local food specialist, Sheena Dignam, as you discover the delicious dishes of Galwegian cuisine. You’ll meet artisanal producers and restaurateurs as you sample the tastes of local eateries along the way.

What sights to see in Galway & the West

Section title Icon
Greenway Cycling

Cycling the Greenway

Get outside and escape the urban life along the trail of an old, retired railway; cycling along the longest off-road trail in Ireland. Surrounded by the great green scenery from Westport to Achill Island, we’ll take you around the best viewpoints and photo-ops that are practically unreachable by any other method of transportation.

Ashford Castle Falconry

Falconry at Ashford Castle

Get up close & personal with these majestic birds of prey as they soar into the sky from the perch of their leather-clad launchpad; also known as your arm. Interacting with these creatures in their natural habitat is one of our most admired activities on Ireland tours.

Aran Island Tour

Galway Bay in a Day Aran Island Tour

Tour the West of Ireland with a day trip to the Aran Islands. For those who are on a short vacation, this is the best way to fit in all the must-see’s in the area. We’ll take you to the most popular sites West Galway has to offer; from Connemara, Inis Oirr, and the Cliffs of Moher by way of cruise. Enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of this beautiful coast as you loop around the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Best places to stay in Galway & the West

Section title Icon
Afternoon Tea

Glenlo Abbey

When you travel to Ireland you can stay at this beautiful hotel near Connemara. Guests enjoy unrivalled personal service in the warmth of one of the few 5 Star Hotels in Galway.

Knockranny House Hotel

Knockranny House Hotel

Beautifully appointed in secluded grounds over looking the picturesque town of Westport, Knockranny House Hotel enjoys beautiful views of Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Fresh flowers and roaring open log fires in winter create a warm welcoming ambience while the service is friendly and attentive.

Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle

Situated on its own three-hundred-and-fifty-acre estate on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ashford Castle is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most renowned hotels. It has hosted Princes and Presidents and was once home to the Guinness family. Today its lavish guest rooms, locally-sourced fine dining, award-winning spa and more, offer the ultimate in luxury and hospitality.

Top trips that visit Galway & The West

Section title Icon

Brendan Vacations does not sell guided trips to Canadian residents but you can book guided trips through our sister company Trafalgar.com.

Colorful Doors in Dublin Ireland

Meet Catherine Reilly

As the head of our Brendan team, Catherine has been making friends with the Celtic community for over 35 years so she's learned a thing or two about where to go and what to do in Ireland and Scotland. Check out her own personally hand-crafted collection of all the can't-miss experiences you can have too.

Colorful Doors in Dublin Ireland

Want to learn more about our other destinations?