The Galway native knows exactly where you should go for a cracking trip to the City of Tribes
Gráinne Seoige is a busy woman. As well as her myriad TV presenting obligations, she is a Fianna Fáil candidate for Galway West in the next election and she recently launched Original Irish Hotels’ epic eight-day Wild Atlantic Way charity cycle for the Irish Cancer Society.
As the cycle will be passing through her home county of Galway, we asked her to share her top recommendations for anyone planning a staycation or weekend break there.
Favourite place to eat
Ard Bia at Nimmos and Quay Street Kitchen are two great options if you fancy splashing out a little. The window table at Blackrock Cottage is also amazing – chef Martin O’Donnell really concentrates on local produce. Further out of town West at The Twelve in Barna or on the other side of the city Moran’s of the Weir for oysters are two favourites. Special mention as well to Dela in Dominick St. Go there for brunch on a Saturday and it will set you up for the entire weekend.
Favourite place for a drink
Hyde just off Eyre Square is gorgeous for a cocktail to kick off an evening out. I’ve seen them bring out an actual tower of martinis to a table of ladies out celebrating and I had such FOMO!
Favourite spot for a walk
The Prom in Salthill is famous but we have our own Prom in Spiddal. The view of Galway Bay, the Burren and the Aran Islands as the waves roll in is breathtaking and its guaranteed to blow the cobwebs away. There is a well-known tradition to kick the wall at the Blackrock end of the Prom in Salthill – but we kick our own (stone) wall in Spiddal too!
Favourite place for some pampering
A facial at Elysium in Moycullen. This is pampering with results. Valerie Osborne is both an expert and a miracle worker. In a world full of suspect marketing ploys, I love her straight talking attitude and I always leave feeling great and knowing more about how to care for my skin than when I arrived.
Favourite place for a music or comedy gig
There are so many places in Galway to go and be entertained we are actually spoiled so it’s really difficult to choose but for music it’s hard to beat Monroe’s. It has that relaxed Galway atmosphere and you know you’ll probably run into someone you know and have a bit of craic. Róisín Dubh is a great spot for comedy like during the comedy festival.
A random gem that many people don’t know about
Tasty Toasty. It used to be located on Market Street but it is now at the Coach Station in Galway. They have the best coffee in the city and their melted Sheridan’s cheese and ham on sourdough bread toasties are to die for.
Tell us about the Original Irish Hotels Charity Cycle and how you got involved with it
I loved the idea of this initiative the minute I heard about it. There are three strands to it. Firstly, this cycle celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way – it has been such a success that it is hard to remember what we called our beautiful rugged western coastline before it came along. It also reminds people of our wonderful one-off Original Irish Hotels – full of personality, history and friendly service and it raises money for the Irish Cancer Society – cancer has touched every family in the country. It was a no brainer to get involved.
