If you don’t have time to be horsing around this July 31st to Aug 6th, we have got the perfect guide for you! Escape the madness of the Galway Race Week this year and take this opportunity to explore everything the West has to offer.
1. A day out at Kylemore Abbey
If you find race week to be a bit of a 'mare, Kylemore Abbey provides the perfect getaway for the craze of Galway city. Visit the Victorian Walled Garden, woodland and lake shore walks and discover the history of the romantic and tragic neo-Gothic Church and mausoleum. With over 6.5 acres for you to explore you are guaranteed to be kept busy and happy away from the racecourse.
2. Gallop about at Wildlands
For something a bit more adrenaline racing take the whole family out to Wildlands in Moycullen. From the water sports and zip lining to the challenge rooms and fun walls, there are so many exciting activities to fill your days with, you certainly won’t be at a loss for things to enjoy while you're at Wildlands.
3. Go to the Beach
Galway is lush with beautiful beaches and swim spots, so this race week why not rein it in and take yourself on a self care picnic to one of them! There are a plethora of beaches to choose from at Salthill, Spiddal, Silverstrand, Ballyloughane, Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay, to name a few. So, grab your togs, towels, sandals and sunscreen and get thee to the beach!
4. Visit the Neighbours
If escaping Galway completely during race week seems like an appealing idea to you, the Alcock and Brown Hotel's sister hotel Hotel Newport in Mayo is the perfect setting for your idyllic week away. Located in the picturesque Newport town, this is an ideal base for exploring Ireland's stunning west coast and the gorgeous great western greenway while also avoiding the busyness of Galway city. A win-win!
above: Hotel Newport
5. Go on the Ultimate Getaway with Aran Islands Ferries
If Mayo isn’t far away enough for you, there’s always the fabulous Aran Islands! With Aran Islands Ferries leaving from The Docks each morning, check out our guide to living out your Irish island dream on the Aran Islands here and have a phenomenal time away. You’ve earned it!
6. Take up Golf
Leave your worries and the races behind and go off on a day of golfing at Galway Bay Golf Resort. This 18-hole course blends both natural beauty with golfing adventure and it's regarded amongst the very best golf courses in Ireland. Alternatively, if the weather isn’t as nice as we’d like, SWING Golf is the perfect solution. They bring the game of golf to life with our 6 state-of-the-art TrackMan simulators. With the latest technology, they offer a fully immersive golf experience that allows you to play on some of the world's most famous courses without ever leaving Galway!
7. Brush up on your history
Galway City Museum provides an in-depth look into the history of Galway, and is home to two classic symbols of the city; the original statue of Irish writer Pádraic Ó Conaire and a traditional sailing vessel – Galway Hooker, the Máirtín Oliver. Current exhibitions include; This is the Modern World, Revolution in Galway, Keepers of the Gael and more.
8. Head off on a Day Trip along the Wild Atlantic Way
Just a short drive from Galway along the Wild Atlantic Way sit the gorgeous Gaeltacht seaside villages of Barna, Spiddal and Furbo. These coastal destinations are known for their picturesque views of Galway Bay, friendly locals and wonderful dining spots. This race week is your chance to simply take a trip away from the city and discover it all for yourself.
above: Ceardlann Craft Village
9. Get Lost (metaphorically) in Coole Park
Coole Park is a famously beautiful woodland that is characterised by its underground rivers, springs, and seasonal lakes (turloughs) which are almost unique to Ireland. There are also 6km of signposted nature trails for you to explore, the gorgeous and homely Coole Park Tea Rooms, plus a late 18th century walled garden which contains the autograph tree - a copper beech that is engraved with the initials of many of the leading figures of the Irish Literary Revival, who were friends with Coole Park’s former owner Lady Gregory.
10. See what’s going on in Kinvara
We recently took an in-depth look at all there is to do in Kinvara in the June/July edition of our This is Galway magazine and if you didn’t visit this picturesque waterfront village then well this is a great time too. Kinvara is full of quirky stores and wholesome foodie spots so check out our guide here and get planning your next trip.
11. Get out of Galway - literally!
Well, we feel as though this is an appropriate time to be mentioning the terrific offers they got going on over at Ireland West Airport and if you really want a getaway.. well they are the experts. They’ve got loads of fabulous routes to countries near and far so head over to their website and if you're feeling like you are financially stable enough - treat yourself to a little week away this August.
Feature photo courtesy of Wildlands
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