Where to start!Â
Galway might not be the pinnacle of jumps racing like Cheltenham or the highlight of the flat season like Royal Ascot but it definitely offers racegoers a truly unique experience which keeps them coming back each year! At the racecourse, the atmosphere is superb and the Guinness is always flowing, and back in Galway town you’re welcomed with world famous Irish hospitality for what is always a vibrant racing party!
It seems as if everyone who goes racing then finds themselves back in the town later that evening eating, drink, dancing and celebrating together. You stumble across incredible bar after bar with live music and friendly faces sharing stories of their day at the races. Unlike some large festivals where it can be prohibitively expensive to stay close enough to the racecourse to really enjoy the after party, at the Galway Festival accommodation is much more affordable, allowing guests to stay closer to the action to really make the most of their trip!
The racing is competitive with good field sizes and with both flat and jumps racing on the same card it’s unique and has something for everyone. Top horses and trainers still send some of their best to compete at the event and with a history dating back almost 200 years you feel part of Irish folklore.
Getting there is easier than most think with plenty of flights out to Shannon or Knock airport and less than an hour transfer to the town which is the same amount of time it takes to get a train from Waterloo to Ascot…..There are a large number of hotels to choose from and I can highly recommend the Galmont Hotel and Spa, only minutes walk from the main square. The hotel is a hub for racing fans and well equipped with late night bars and sing along piano nights, as well as sauna and steam rooms to freshen up for another day's racing.Â
In the town itself there’s a plethora of bars and restaurants to enjoy both pre and post racing. We had a superb dinner at Kirwan’s restaurant which is an award winning seafood restaurant in the heart of the mediaeval centre of Galway in the historical Kirwan’s Lane.
Follow your delightful dinner up with a lively night in Monroes Bar just a few minutes walk away. Now over 50 years strong, Monroes is unparalleled for live music, fresh quality food and friendly service and stands tall as one of Galway’s most recognised landmarks.Â
The final must do on your trip to Galway is to visit the world famous Moran’s on the Weir restaurant. This incredible place is located right on the coast and is perfect to visit on your way back to Shannon airport or even settle in there for an extra day's racing. The restaurant dates back over 250 years and is still run by the Moran family producing exquisite seafood and a proper Irish atmosphere.
The Festival runs for a whole week, that's right, 7 straight days of racing action! So whether you fancy a midweek trip or a weekend break, Galway offers you the choice! The event also falls during the same week as the Qatar Goodwood Festival, so the most hardened race fans can combine the two and experience racing both sides of the Irish Sea at two stunning racecourses!
To conclude …..I'll be back there next year without fail and will be telling everyone I know to join the party. Galway is the perfect blend of great racing, great fun and great hospitality all rolled into one week long extravaganza!
Next year's event takes place between Monday 28th July - Sunday 3rd August!
Geometry Dash is a rhythm-based platformer that offers exciting challenges, various levels, high scores, achievements, and more.