Galway’s Westend is looking incredibly festive! With decorative storefronts adorned with fairy lights, Christmas music playing in local cafés, bars and restaurants, and a pretty Christmas tree, Christmas has well and truly arrived in Galway city. Discover our guide to Christmas in Galway’s Westend right here..
This is Galway is all about spreading Christmas cheer, and that’s why this year we are focusing on supporting and shopping local, by putting our money into local independent stores and businesses.
From enjoying winter warmers and trad music sessions by fireplaces, to buying gifts for loved ones and keeping cosy with a hot chocolate and mince pie, Galway’s Westend has loads to offer its visitors this holiday season. If you’re wondering what spending Christmas in Galway’s Westend looks like, you have come to the right place..
above: Ernies
Buy your Christmas presents
Once you start Christmas shopping make sure that a visit to Galway’s Westend is on your agenda. Here, start your spree at Bell Book & Candle where you can browse and shop a full range of books and vinyls, guaranteeing you get at least one name ticked off your list. Across the way, Dr Clare Apothecary, a herbalist health store, is perfect for getting unique gifts, speciality teas, natural cosmetics and more. At Ernies, you will find a plethora of local products and a gorgeous range of hampers that are available for free delivery around Galway city right up to December 23rd. Additionally, if you are shopping on a budget, be sure to call into the neighbouring Galway Simon Community Charity Shop, where who knows what fantastic gifts you might find for a brilliant price. This year the Christmas Flea Market is back at Áras na nGael on December 1st, 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd, from 11am-4pm. This is your chance to shop a range of vintage, pre-loved clothing, crafts and jewellery, and secure gifts for yourself, family and friends in one spot, for brilliant prices.
For beautiful floral arrangements or a cute indoor plant (that they hopefully won’t kill), Daisy Bowl Florists is your one stop shop. If plants aren’t their thing maybe art is! Just Art It is home to a stunning array of sustainable gift sets, art supplies, prints, postcards notebooks, tote bags and so much more. If you are trying to shop more sustainably this year, Aplomb should absolutely be on your radar. It is a clothing and lifestyle store that has something for everyone; men’s fashion, women’s fashion, accessories and lifestyle products. You’ll definitely be leaving Aplomb with your arms full of gifts. If you are looking for something that will totally please your significant other, Laura Jane Adult Boutique Store is sure to have something that will absolutely do just that. You might even find something you both can enjoy.
above: Just Art It by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
This year if you want to give an experience to your loved one(s), gift vouchers for Galway’s Westend’s hairdressing salons - The Face Hairdressing and Envy Hair Salon, are a terrific idea. Alternatively, if you want to treat yourself to a bit of pampering ahead of your end of year Christmas party, both Envy Hair Salon and The Face Hairdressing are brilliant options for getting a new cut, colour or celebrity blowdry before your big night out! Would your gift recipient love a new tattoo? Well if yes, then a voucher for Westend Art Collective, Claddagh Art Collective or Galway Bay Tattoos is absolutely going to make their day! (Who knows, your loved one might even dedicate the tattoo to you?!)
Give them an experience that they’ll never forget in Galway’s Westend by treating your loved one to a food focused experience by giving them a gift voucher for; the Michelin-starred Aniar Restaurant, the beautiful wine bar Daróg Wine Bar, the award-winning gastropub John Keogh’s, the sensational seafood restaurant Oscar Seafood Bistro, or take them out for a lovely brunch at Dela Restaurant. With so many incredible options you are spoilt for choice in Galway’s Westend.
above: Espresso 44
Order a festive hot chocolate to stay warm
One of our favourite things about Christmas is the abundance of festive treats and drinks that spring up on the menus in our local cafés and coffee shops. We recommend keeping warm with a hot cuppa from one of our favourite Galway’s Westend coffee shops. Espresso 44 offers a gorgeous winter warmer menu complete with chai lattes, and white and milk hot chocolates with the option of adding a tasty syrup too - these are perfect for staving off the chill. If you are a tea drinker for now and always, let The Secret Garden be your winter retreat. They have tons of tea varieties and if you want our pick the Hawaiian Cocktail tea is by far our favourite. The Secret Garden also offers tea-making products and artwork on their retail shelves.
When it comes to gift-giving this year, if you want to kill two birds with one stone, head straight to Plámás or Gourmet Tart Co for your hot drink of choice and to purchase some Christmas presents. Plámás’ retail area offers beanies, prints from Irish artists, cooking books, coffee beans, ceramic mugs and other fab gifts. If your gift recipient is a big foodie the hampers that are available at Gourmet Tart Co are going to be a big hit as they come filled with the best of Gourmet Tart Co’s artisan snacks, bakes, food, and more.
above: Plámás by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Must-visit Galway’s Westend venues
Galway’s Westend is a must-visit part of Galway city year round, however there is something especially magical about it in the runup to the holiday season. We will always recommend that you follow the glow of Christmas lights across the bridge and into the heart of its vibrant atmosphere as Christmas celebrations begin to get underway. From strolling the canals with a hot chocolate in hand, visiting the playground with your children or wandering through Fr Burke Park on a crisp winter morning, Galway’s Westend always provides the perfect setting for a joyful winter day experience. While you are in the neighbourhood we also suggest calling into Galway Arts Centre to see their current exhibitions and chat to the staff there to learn more about Galway’s ever-evolving art scene.
above: Train Station Galway
We all know that Christmas can be an incredibly stressful time for people so we feel that it is crucial to take time for relaxation during a hectic schedule. A yoga class at An Seomra Yoga might just be what the doctor ordered and is a great way to stay in tune with your body and practise some mindfulness. For something a bit more high intensity, Train Station Galway’s excellent range of classes; bootcamp, spin, Pilates, yoga, Hyrox, and mother and baby, can go a long way to helping you work through winter blues and stay fit through the Christmas break. Train Station Galway is also home to Galway’s Westend’s Wellness Garden, where you can enjoy hot and cold therapy in their sauna and ice baths. It also is the perfect chill out spot with pals with a coffee, or fresh fruit juice.
Christmas is all about catching up with your friends and family, and we can’t think of a better way to do that than by packing yourselves into a room and trying to escape! Black 11 Escape Room on Dominick Street Lower provides a fun and thrilling adventure based activity which is an ideal way to bond with your loved ones before Christmas and the New Year celebrations.
above: MP Walsh
Enjoy a winter warmer and live music
When your shopping, snacking and sightseeing are done for the day, why not reward yourself with some wines and winter warmers in one of the local Galway’s Westend bars and pubs. Cosy up in the traditional Irish MP Walsh Bar with a hot whiskey, and catch some seasonal horse-racing, rugby, darts and other live sports on the screen. If you love your Galway Bay Brewery craft beers, look no further than the brilliant The Salt House, where you can enjoy one of their weekly live music performances while you drink. If you’re after some trad music, The Crane Bar on Sea Road is famous for it, best get down early though to ensure a decent seat.
When you are out for the evening in Galway’s Westend, we simply insist that you pop round to work your way through the seasonal cocktail menu at Bierhaus, pair it with their fully vegetarian food menu and it’s actual heaven. They’ll also be having two exciting December celebrations so keep an eye out for those announcements because we can guarantee you’ll want to be at both. Later in the night swing by Massimo or The Blue Note as they both have been providing the craic and dance floors in Galway’s Westend for decades now. Each week they offer a brilliant events lineup with DJs, karaoke, open mic nights, and so much more.
above: Róisín Dubh
And finally, let your hair down at one of the nightly Róisín Dubh events. From Silent Discos to independent gigs, there’s plenty of craic to be had. Monroes Galway are always hosting local, national and international performers so we recommend seeing who they have booked for the weeks ahead and then planning your visit accordingly. Additionally, Taylor’s Bar and Beer Garden is always buzzing with live music and DJs, their late bar on the weekends is the backdrop of many great nights out and their speed quiz on Mondays is a brilliant way to start your week in Galway’s Westend. If you and your friends are still going until last call, (first off - nicely done), pop into the late night takeaways Pizza Time or Apache for some badly needed post night out grub.
Catch up with loved ones over a meal out
Galway’s Westend is really a hub of foodies, no seriously wait until we tell you about all of the amazing award-winning restaurants and cafés that call this small part of Galway city home. During day time hours, our recommendations are as follows; An Tobar Nua offers a unique coffee on the canal experience, you should absolutely stop by for an unmissable cuppa along with creative sandwiches and delicious 'in-house created' baked goods. They even offer a terrific weekly discount on their cake if you give the correct codeword, follow them on their social media to learn more about this.
above: An Tobar Nua by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Over at Greens & Co, it’s all vegetarian and vegan friendly goodness. Their daily specials are always delicious and as it is a popular lunch spot we really suggest that you check them out at least once! They also have a brilliant winter warmers menu, need we say more? If you’re starting your day in Galway’s Westend, Urban Grind provides a delicious morning feed. They are a favourite among the locals so be sure to pay them a visit. Another popular sit-in option is Bare Pantry Café offers both amazing breakfast and lunch menus for the whole family. For something a bit more laid back, Birdhouse in the beer garden of Carroll’s on Dominick Street is an ideal solution for a filling and delicious meal of tasty chicken wings, sides and sauces. Pair it with a midday pint from the bar inside and you’re laughing.
If you are feeling a bit peckish for seafood, Hooked on Henry St is a family favourite and their fresh catch of the day is always delish. Are you visiting Galway’s Westend with a friend or loved one? Then we highly recommend dining at the Spanish Deli La Tasca for their spectacular tapas that are paired with Spanish wines. Offering both stunning lunch and dinner menus, if you have never eaten at Kai Restaurant take this as your sign to visit as soon as possible. We guarantee you’ll love it! Our insider tip is to order a slice of cake regardless whether you are dining during the day or evening. It’s always divine! Bring your significant other out for an evening of exquisite French dining at Rouge Restaurant. Every evening they offer a gorgeous menu that is beautifully complemented by their French wine collection. A cosy and intimate space, The Universal serves a fabulous variety of small plates alongside their drinks menu. The ideal venue for preChristmas catchups with friends. For an authentic Italian experience Il Vicolo and Mona Lisa restaurant are two of the best in Galway and both can be found in Galway’s Westend. Il Vicolo even has live jazz every Sunday so if you want dinner and a show, this is the place to be.
above: BóTOWN
Both Spice India and Kashmir offer unmissable weekly offers, making them the perfect destinations to try some of the finest Indian cuisine in Galway city. However if you’d prefer some post-shopping burgers, beers and cocktails, BóTOWN and Handsome Burger will never let you down. Another fantastic spot is Smashbird, this is every foodie’s dream. They offer takeaway chicken dishes, burgers, and vegan junk food and are well worth adding to your must-visit list. As a sister business to Birdhouse, Smashbird stocks Birdhouse’s award-winning sauces and uses them throughout their menu too. If you want to buy some of these sauces as a gift for a foodie in your life, they are available on the retail shelves at Hickey Meats, the Galway’s Westend butchers, who should also be your first point of call for supplying your Christmas dinner essentials from traditional turkey & ham to dry aged roasts, duck, lamb, geese and homemade stuffing, they have everything you need for a truly special Christmas dinner.
For more information on Galway’s Westend and all of its amazing businesses, please follow the Galway’s Westend social media pages - Facebook, X, Instagram - so you never miss out on any updates and stay tuned for the upcoming giveaways on these pages.
This campaign is supported by Galway City Council, encouraging you to Shop and Support Local this Christmas.
Published on Updated on
