A secret spot worth stopping for
Siobhan, John, Erin and Eila
Galway was positively humming with festive cheer when we took two days to explore Christmas out west.
Accompanied by our two little girls, who were utterly enchanted by the candy house, we had the pleasure of experiencing all the delights the market had to offer on its opening night in Eyre Square.
The towering 32-metre high Big Wheel afforded us a spectacular view over the entire market that had taken over the Square. As we sipped on gluhwein, we were captivated by Hansel and Gretal’s Gingerbread house.
The illuminated reindeers were quite a sight to behold, and Santa’s express train sent our girls into fits of excitement.
Santa’s Grotto is uniquely managed by local charities, and the enchanting gardens, all aglow with lights, are nothing short of magical. There’s something truly special about witnessing the wonder of Christmas through our little girls’ eyes.
For food enthusiasts, you won’t be let down – genuine German folk were whipping up a bratwurst storm on traditional grills. The aroma was simply mouthwatering.
And don’t worry if mulled wine isn’t your cup of tea – hot cider and beer served in Steins in the bierKeller are a fantastic alternative, and according to my other half, they’re the real deal.
We lodged at the magnificent Galmont Hotel and Spa, conveniently situated right in the heart of the city, putting us just a five-minute walk away from all the action.
The hotel was festively fabulous, with a gigantic Christmas tree greeting us upon entry, and it was incredibly family-friendly – the swimming pool was a particular highlight for our girls.
With the little ones safely tucked in and our babysitter familiarised with them, John and I had the chance to enjoy a romantic Festive dinner.
The Marinas restaurant at the Galmont certainly lived up to expectations. Being served Christmas dinner felt utterly luxurious.
I opted for the Galway Bay Smoked Salmon starter, which was simply melt-in-the-mouth, followed by the traditional Glazed crown of turkey.
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I also sampled the wild halibut, which was absolutely delicious, cooked with samphire. I must be one of the few people who can’t get enough of traditional Christmas pudding, and the twist of roast barley ice-cream and cinnamon custard was simply divine.
Children never let you have a lie-in, so we started our day with a four-star breakfast of champions, followed by a dip in the pool.
Erin and Eila are happiest when splashing about, and you can’t beat a hotel with a top-notch swimming area. The Galmot was simply fabulous – luxurious for the adults and perfectly safe for the girls.
The outdoor hot tub provided some much-needed ‘me time’, which was a lovely touch. Next, we ventured out to Moycullen to visit the adventure sports centre, Wildlands.
The instructors were fantastic with our little ones, who bravely tackled the Skywalk, an obstacle course suspended a few feet above the ground.
The zipline gave ‘mummy here’ quite a fright, while my three year old took it in her stride.
From the fairy trail to the four-wheel drive experience, I was astounded by just how adventurous Wildlands is, even for the little ones.
We ventured out and settled down for lunch at the adventure centre’s ‘Olive Tree Restaurant’. The wood-fired pizza was among the best we’ve ever had.
True to their eco-friendly ethos, Wildlands certainly walk the talk.
I’m always delighted to learn about impressive eco facts related to eateries. The Olive Tree operates a zero waste policy and grows its own vegetables and herbs.
All of their takeaway food packaging is compostable, and the most interesting fact I discovered was that all the food scraps go to head chef Richard Casburn’s pig.
I have a deep affection for Connemara and since we were in Moycullen, it seemed only fitting to visit my favourite town in Ireland, Clifden.
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The Station House is the top family property in the town, boasting its own leisure centre, family rooms, theatre and cinema. It’s an obvious choice for accommodation, particularly if you’re travelling with children.
The scenery here is breathtaking; the mountains of the Twelve Bens, the Sky Road (my favourite road in the country), Inishbofin, Omey Island and Killary Fjord are some of the best experiences Connemara has to offer, and they’re all just a stone’s throw away from the Station House.
Given the family-friendly nature of The Station House, we felt comfortable popping over to the charming Signal Bar with the kids for a pint of the black stuff, before savouring a three-course meal at the Carriage Restaurant.
Christmas lights in Clifden
Pascal Marinot is an award-winning chef and the cuisine at the Carriage restaurant was simply divine. The Cleggan Bay crab meat salad starter was undoubtedly the finest crab you could taste on the Island of Ireland.
Renowned for its seafood and lamb, I couldn’t resist opting for the Roast Connemara rack. Our time in Clifden was brief; after a quick swim in the fantastic Station House swimming pool, we set off to explore the magnificent Sky Road.
It truly feels like the nearest place to heaven, with a drive around the loop making it seem as if New York is the next stop. On our journey back to Dublin, we made a pitstop in Oughterard where we stumbled upon a cafe boasting ‘the best fish n chips in the West’.
The chef, owner and waiter of Camp Street Cafe, Dessie, was an absolute character, his conversation alone makes it worth stopping by. As a lover of fine food and self-proclaimed foodie, I consider Galway a culinary haven, brimming with adventure and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, it genuinely feels like a proper escape.
Our 48 hours of festive family fun in Galway was a true delight.
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