Just passing through our amazing city? Residence Hotel has loads of suggestions on what you can do if you only have 24 hours in Galway to spare.
You won’t get to experience everything we have to offer, but we can recommend lots of Galway experiences to give you a taster of why so many people love gorgeous Galway. So, don’t waste any time – dive into this Residence Hotel guide and discover how to maximise your time!
Enjoy a pint in a lively bar
There is an abundance of bars around Galway worth your time, so one of the absolute musts is to savour a pint of your choice. An Púcán and 1520 (the latter located right beside Residence Hotel) are just two bars where you can easily swing by to take in the fantastic atmospheres, and they serve an array of beverages for you to choose from. Galway Hooker pints on draught are a fantastic shout, but you can always order your usual favourites, and the friendly staff will have you sipping away contentedly in moments. Whether you want to enjoy some televised live sport, sit in a cosy booth with a page-turning read, or chit-chat with the locals, stepping into a bar for a pint is definitely top of many people’s lists – and we highly recommend it, too.
Take in a trad session
There are loads of places around the City of Tribes to enjoy a trad music session – and they offer the ideal way to wind down an evening in the city. Incredible musicians with years of experience will breathe life into a whole host of instruments as they whisk you away on a sublime story of song and feet-tapping music. Once you step out the front door of Residence Hotel, a whole cast of musical storytellers will wow you for hours on end – and you can add to the authentically Galway vibes with a delicious hot whiskey to hand if that’s your kind of thing. There’s nothing quite like a trad music session to put you in a good mood – and you might even take off dancing if you allow yourself to get swept away. Magic!
Grab a fancy cocktail
Traditional music and pints of stout are fine images to think of when you imagine Galway in your mind’s eye. At the same time, there are a whole host of amazing cocktail bars that serve incredibly cosmopolitan drinks, too – and if that’s your scene, you’re in luck. Our very own HYDE Bar in Galway city centre serves some of the most memorable cocktails you’re sure to savour, and they regularly update their menu. 1520’s Penny Bar (right beside Residence Hotel) also has incredible concoctions worth savouring. Or why not scour the city for your fave cocktail haunt and settle in for an enjoyable experience? You’ll be glad you did – and you can always tease your friends jealous by posting a pic of your chosen libation online!
Enjoy pulsating sport
With lots of amazing sporting teams to enjoy across Galway city and county, you might just get to catch one of them in action on your flying visit. Connacht Rugby are high-achievers who play at the Sportsground, and you’d do well to catch one of their games, whether they’re in domestic or European action. Galway GAA features the hurling, camogie, and football teams, and there is nothing quite like taking in a frenetic game to feel truly at home in Galway. Plus, Galway United ply their trade in the League of Ireland, the country’s domestic soccer league where goals are usually in plentiful supply at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Join a sing-song
Why not join in a sing-song during your stay at Residence Hotel? Since you’re only going to be here for a day, you should throw yourself into the heat of culture and flex your vocal chords. Lots of pubs have live music across each week, and our very own 1520 has live sessions seven nights a week, which is always a treat. There’s nothing quite like a fun sing-song with a pub-full of passionate punters, and whether it’s a singer-songwriter or a full band in full flow, you’re sure to have an amazing time joining in with everyone else. You’ll carry the memories with you for a lifetime, and you’ll be eager to come back to our beautiful city by the sea – but maybe next time you’ll stay for longer than 24 hours?!