Over recent weeks the Harbour Hotel in Galway has undergone some extensive refurbishments with a view to attracting ever more business from the corporate meetings market. This three-star Galway hotel has four meeting rooms that have all been given a make-over for the New Year. In addition, there are two syndicate rooms of various sizes and layouts. These various meeting rooms can accommodate anything from two people up to 130 delegates. Each of the rooms has plenty of natural daylight and all have the latest, modern AV equipment installed.

Thanks to these developments at the Harbour Hotel holding meetings in Galway city centre is now easier than ever. The hotel is on New Dock Road, only a few minutes walk from Eyre Square, and has extensive, free, onsite parking available as well as free WiFi throughout the building. The Harbour Hotel is a great option for breakfast seminars, interviews, boardroom meetings, or training events. The meeting and events co-ordinator, Anna Byrne, will look after customers right from the booking stage to ensuring the event runs smoothly on the day.

For larger events, the John B Keane suite is a more than suitable space. This room has a large ceiling atrium,... Click to read more about hotels in Galway

The Galway festival season is now under way and should bring some welcome benefits to those involved in the hotel sector in the city in terms of occupancy rates, room rates and restaurant and bar takings. Although the tourism sector in Ireland in general has had to face tough times over the last two years, Galway can always rely on its summer festivals like the Galway Arts Festival, the Galway Film Fleadh and, of course, the famous Galway Races to bring tourists and their disposable incomes to the capital of the West. In total it is estimated that these festivals are worth as much as €90 million to the local economy in Galway. The Film Fleadh is estimated to bring in around €5 million, the Arts Festival some €20 million and the Galway Races between €50 and €70 million.

The Galway Film Fleadh took place last week running from Tuesday 05th July to Sunday 10th July. The Galway Arts festival started on 11th July and runs through to July 24th and this year includes artists like Misterman, De La Soul and Blondie. The Galway Races takes place during the last week in July and this year runs from Monday... Click to read more about hotels in Galway

In September a major sporting attraction, the Ironman competition, will come to Galway for the first time. In fact, it will be the first time such an event has been held anywhere in Ireland. Peter Kern, a top German triathlon trainer, believes Galway is a great location for the event and said recently: “Galway has the structures to deal with lots of people. There are enough hotels and the landscape is quite famous. It was almost the natural selection for an Ironman race.”

It is expected that the event could attract as many as 2,000 visitors to Galway and generate revenues of nearly €5 million for the local economy. Indeed, as Ironman could use Galway as its base for the Irish leg of the competition for a further five years it could prove a very lucrative relationship for the city. However, at a recent meeting of Galway City Council a number of councillors expressed concerns that the hotels in Galway could be tempted to use the event to push up their prices over the first weekend in September. Labour Councillor Collette Connelly said: “It is bad for the city when hotels put up their prices for events such as... Click to read more about hotels in Galway

Galway is well known for its diverse calendar of festivals which take place throughout the year and the first of the important ones, the Cuirt, the International Festival of Literature, takes place this year from 12th to 17th April. Some of the authors are taking part in this festival for the first time but there will also be a lot of Irish writers whose literary talent has been recognised nationally and abroad. Dermot Healy, Paul Murray and Valerie Hemingway are among the names participating in this year’s literature festival.

Although there is a wide range of accommodation available in Galway from top hotels to B&Bs it is advisable to book in advance during festival time to avoid disappointment and to get the best rates possible.

The Meyrick Hotel in Galway is the official hotel for the festival. It is an elegant Victorian four star hotel located right on Eyre Square in city centre of Galway. Lots of shops, theatres, restaurants and pubs are just a short walk from the hotel. The hotel is booked out for the weekend of the festival but rooms can be had from the Tuesday through to Thursday from €115 per room per night. The... Click to read more about hotels in Galway

The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Galway offers luxurious four star city centre accommodation from where guests can admire spectacular views of the world-famous Galway Bay. Located on the waterfront of Lough Atalia, the hotel overlooks Galway Bay and is just a 15 minute drive from Galway Airport, 200 metres from Eyre Square and a few minutes walking distance to Galway city centre. Galway Racecourse is just a 10 minute drive and all the rooms at the Radisson Galway hotel have free Wi-Fi so you can stay in touch with the crazy world outside after being pampered at the hotel spa.

The Spirit One Spa has a large relaxation area, with an ample menu of therapies including massages, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, facials etc. Ole Henriksen and Elemis Spa treatments are also available in this luxurious Glaway hotel. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi and an outdoor hot tub which overlooks Lough Atalia.

This hotel is now offering special rates to those guests who choose to stay 2 or 3 nights in this establishment in Galway. There is a 15 percent reduction off the total price that is applied when staying for 3 nights at... Click to read more about hotels in Galway