Summertime in Galway is truly spectacular, and you’ll experience the best of it when you stay at the Clayton Hotel Galway. June, July and August are music festival seasons throughout Ireland, and the best of the best is found in Galway in the west of Ireland.

Things may seem to go a bit quiet towards the end of May and early June with many of the students leaving the city, but that’s just the calm before the storm. It’s not long before Galway is buzzing again with the prospect of a fun-filled summer, starting when Galway Arts Festival kicks off in mid-July. The festival offers world-class music, theater and dance, visual art and comedy. Street theater also plays a major part in the festival, providing wonderful entertainment for the summer shoppers. The organizers go all out every year bringing in some of the finest national and international acts including such homegrown talent as Bell X1 and David Kitt and major stars such as Lambchop and David Gray.

But while the arts festival may be the loudest, the biggest festival in Galway

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com

Things to know when you visit Ireland and the Clayton Hotel Galway

Ireland is an island in the northwest of Europe with an area of 32,595 sq miles. Only about 230 miles long by 140 miles wide, Ireland includes both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Even though it may seem small by US standards, Ireland is the third largest island in Europe.

The population of Ireland is approximately 5.8 million people, of which 4.1 million live in the Republic of Ireland and 1.7 million live in Northern Ireland.

Ireland has thirty-two counties, and four provinces: Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster.

The Irish landscape is one of Ireland’s greatest attractions. Ireland’s most scenic areas lie in the south western and western counties where a ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains. These areas include picturesque mountains mixed with beautiful green views. About five percent of Ireland is covered by forest.

There are several National Parks filled with towering hills and romantic lakes which will always remain Ireland’s most unspoiled treasures. It’s not surprising that the magnificent scenery has attracted many visitors to these parks for years.

The Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean keeps the Irish climate mild most of the year. Average temperatures (Fahrenheit) in winter are in the thirties, and in summer are in the seventies. Rainfall is heaviest

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com

Not surprisingly, Ireland today is being promoted heavily by the hotels and businesses that stand to gain financially from the tourism industry. The main thrust of these publicity campaigns seems to be based on the quality of the accommodations that are available, like the luxury accommodations at the Clayton Hotel Galway. And certainly these hotels do have a lot to offer, including indoor heated swimming pools, fully equipped gyms and spas, a quality dining experience, picturesque surroundings and much more.

But one of the reasons that Ireland is such a great holiday destination is that not only are the hotels superb, but the country itself is interesting enough to make a holiday here truly memorable. After all, few people travel halfway around the world just to stay in their hotel and see nothing else of the country that they are visiting! And there is no question that Ireland is a destination that can match any in the world. It has an ancient culture full of life and tradition. A visitor to Ireland, justifiably known as ‘The Land Of A Thousand Welcomes’ can easily experience the pleasing blend of ancient traditions filled with myths and legends, superstition and religious fanaticism, mixed with a modern culture which is still deeply religious and respectful of its traditional heritage but is also forward looking and progessive.

So what can you see during your stay in Ireland at the Clayton Hotel Galway?

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com

Ireland has always been a great travel destination, and during your stay at the Clayton Hotel Galway you’ll quickly find out why. Today, long-term vacationers and those who just want a quick get-a way for a weekend or so, come to Ireland to experience a unique combination of old town charm mixed with the excitement of big-city conveniences. Whatever your age or interests, you’ll find that Ireland has something to catch your eye, and keep you coming back for more.

If you want to tour some Irish cities, you won’t want to miss Dublin, which is the capital of Ireland, or Belfast, which is the capital of Northern Ireland. Both of these cities began as shipping ports and their historical charm and distinctive character is still very much in evidence if you take a moment to look behind the hustle and bustle of modern life.

If you’d like to take things at a slower pace,

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com

It is unfortunate that Ireland has long been an island divided, but after years of “the troubles” this wonderful country is starting to make a serious comeback that is gradually transforming it into an attractive vacation destination. Things have changed dramatically for the better in the last ten years as have Ireland’s fortunes. Religious violence seems to have tapered off and Ireland’s economic growth is now some of the strongest in Europe.

Today tourists from around the world are coming to the Clayton Hotel Galway and other Irish resorts and hotels to experience Irish history and culture for themselves. If you’re planning an Irish vacation in the near future, here are ten things you should know about the wonderful country of Ireland.

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com

The Emerald Isle’s signature rolling green hills and meadows are a treat for travel-weary vacationers, offering calming beauty and refreshing hospitality like that found at the Clayton Hotel Galway. From ancient stone formations and thousand-year-old churches to modern shopping centers, Ireland’s intriguing combination of turbulent history and jubilantly jolly pubs offers something for every traveler.

One of the most fascinating things to see during a trip to Ireland are the stone circles, monoliths and mounds dating back thousands of years. Burial mounds, known as Court Cairns and Tumuli, can be found all over the countryside. One such ruin in the Silvermines Mountains has become exposed over time, and the many stone chambers inside are now visible to tourists.

The most impressive stone circle is

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com

What you should know about County Galway when you stay at the Clayton Hotel Galway

Galway is the largest county in the province of Connacht and it lies in the center of Ireland’s western seaboard.
Galway covers nearly 6,000 square kilometers and is divided by Lough Corrib which is Ireland’s second largest lake.
To the west of the lake is the vast mountainous land of Connemara,
and on the east side of the lake are the rich farming plains of Galway East.

And there are also four main inhabited islands off the coast of Galway
including the world renowed Irish speaking Aran Islands and Inisboffin.
In total there are 18 inhabited islands in County Galway, and it is well worth a visit to them to enjoy such activities
as walking, cycling, swimming, horse-riding, diving, basket-making and learning a little of the Irish language and culture.

Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, is home to the world famous Dun Aonghasa monument,
and the island’s Heritage Centre provides a wealth of information about the lives of previous inhabitants.
If you can spare the time, an overnight stay on the Islands is highly recommended in order to sample the traditional night life.

The population of County Galway (all the areas outside of Galway City) is estimated at just over 143,000.
The County is mainly rural with just over 15% living in towns of more than 1,500 people.
Galway City itself is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe
and it is often referred to as the bi-lingual capital of Ireland.
Here you’ll find the perfect mix of old and new – bustling shopping centers and wonderful little boutique cafes
share space with old pubs and a host of live music venues featuring traditional Irish music and dance.

For a taste of the “real” Ireland, a visit to the mountains of Connemara is a must.
Gaeilge is the predominant language of choice here and the people are warm and friendly
with a typical Cead Mile Failte Irish welcome.
The beautiful rugged landscape has not yet been spoiled by progress, so take some time
to admire the majestic splendour of the Twelve Bens mountain range during your travels.

Further to the south in County Galway you’ll find the well-known seaside resort of Salthill.
There’s something for everyone here, from the landmark Leisureland complex with its indoor and outdoor children’s activities
to the quieter restaurants and bars located a bit removed from the sandy seafront and promenade.

If you’re in Ireland during the end of July, be sure to go to the Summer Festival Race Meeting at Galway Racecourse.
Veteran race goers, and indeed those who simply love the atmosphere, travel from around the world for this unique experience.
The Festival runs for seven consecutive days starting from the last Monday in July each year.
There are special race days, such as Ladies Day, The Big Bash and Mad Hatter’s Day which add fun and excitement to the event.

If you prefer a more historical getaway, Galway County Council recently created Galway East Ecclesiastical Trail.
The Trail features over 40 sites of interest to ‘culture and heritage seekers’.
This area also features Portumna Castle on the banks of the Shannon, and Coole Park and Thoor Ballylee
associated with literary legends W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, the founder of Ireland’s National Theatre.

Getting to Galway and the Clayton Hotel Galway is easy no matter what your preferred mode of travel.
In addition to good road access, Galway is increasingly well serviced by over 100 direct flights a week to Galway Airport,
Shannon and Ireland West Airport (Knock) as well as daily train services from Dublin through Galway East to Galway City provided by Iarnród Eireann.
Bus Eireann services the area with regular coaches to and from the rest of the country.
So no matter how you choose to spend your Galway getaway, you’ll find that getting here is a breeze, and it only gets better from there.

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com

If you are looking for great day-trips that don’t cost a fortune while you’re enjoying your stay at the Clayton Hotel Galway, you’ll find that Ireland offers many interesting places to visit, including Dublin, Cork and Listowel.

If you want to learn more about Irish history and culture, Listowel is the perfect place for you. You can see the Garden of Europe with its beautiful array of flowers and plants. Nearby, the St John’s Art and Heritage Centre is filled with religious items and some spectacular architectural buildings. And don’t miss the famous Listowel Castle. Other historical sites in Listowel are River Fort and Cladh Ruadh. Listowel makes a great day trip, but with so much to see and do you can easily spend several days in this charming city.

If you spend a day in Dublin, be sure to visit the Brougham Bridge and the Dillon Garden. And a relaxing boat ride on the Dublin Grand Canal will let you see the city from an entirely different point of view.

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com

Irish travel tips from the Clayton Hotel Galway

Irish summers are hot and winters are moderate with some snow. May and June are the sunniest months of the year but the weather changes quite frequently from cloudy to sunny and vice versa. For summer visits, lightweight woolen or cotton clothes are recommended, and you should always pack a jacket for spring and autumn trips. It is also a good idea to carry a raincoat at any time of the year in case of unexpected showers.

Culture

Most of the locals prefer speaking English, which they do with a unique and charming accent. The Irish are social people and enjoy having a lively conversation even with strangers. Handshaking is common, and foreigners are welcomed with warmth and are made to feel at home. Irish hospitality is justly famous and guests are never sent away without a good meal. Supper is considered very important in Ireland because that is when the whole family gets together to catch up with one another as well as enjoy the food.

It is ok to dress casually in the street, but women are expected to dress formally at social gatherings and restaurants. Smoking is banned in public places. Most of the locals come from an agricultural background, although there are many fishermen near the coastal areas.

Shopping

Audio Feed

Video Feed

Search provided by ClaytonHotelGalway.com