Welcome to our Blog!

Welcome to the Ardilaun Hotel's Blog! You'll find us on Taylor's Hill in the suburbs of the Bohemian city of Galway in the West of ireland. This blog is for fans of our hotel, and for people looking for info on what's happening in Galway and here in the Ardilaun. Hope you enjoy it and make sure to leave a comment!

For more on the Ardilaun Hotel visit www.theardilaunhotel.ie

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Dog Walking In Galway

Since the Ardilaun Hotel is the only hotel in Galway City that is dog friendly we'd like to share our pearls of walking wisdom with you! But you can sgo on these walks without a dog if you like :) It's just as good. I have 2 Dalmadors that are eating me out of house and home (literally) so I've been on these walks time and again trying to tire them out and I can vouch for the how nice these walks are... hope you enjoy and let me know how you get on. I've given directions from the main gate of the hotel

Barna Woods: Driving Time 5 Mins Dog Walking Time 1.5 hrs

To get to Barna Woods, take a left at the main gate, go through the traffic lights at the top of the road and continue along the Kingston Road for about 3.5 km. Across from the entrance you will see a service station on the left. The entrance is on the right hand side of the road and may seem a little inconspicuous. There is a dirt track through the woods which will lead you onto the recreation area. This area has interconnecting soccer pitches, a stream, a playground, and lots hidden little walkways. Well worth a sniff around for both you and your dog!

Renvyle Woods: Driving Time 20 Mins Dog Walking Time 1.5 hrs
At the main gate turn left, and at your earliest convenience do a U turn and drive to the end of the street. You will have driven through 2 sets of traffic lights. At the third traffic lights turn left and continue straight to the Galway City Museum.
Turn left onto New Docks Street. Bear right onto New Docks Street (signposted All Routes)
Continue forward onto the R336 (signposted Eyre Square). Turn left onto Victoria Place. Turn right onto Eyre Square. Follow the road straight out of town. At Joyce roundabout take the 4th exit onto Moneenageisha Road (signposted Dublin N6). At Ffrench roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Dublin Road - R338 (signposted Dublin N6). At Skerritt roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Dublin Road - R338 (signposted Dublin N6). Bear right onto Coast Road - R338 Entering Oranmore. Bear right onto Main Street. Continue forward onto Beech Grove. Continue forward onto Maree Road. Finish at Renville East,Galway. You'll be able to walk your dog at leisure in this beautiful and very large forest, and if you're lucky, you'll stumble upon the beautiful Galway coastline.

The Salthill Prom: Driving Time 5 Mins Dog Walking Time 1 – 2 hrs
Turn left at the main gate and continue to the traffic lights at the head of the road. Turn left at these lights. And continue to the end of the road. The Prom stretches far out in either direction. Poop scoops are available at intervals along the Prom. Nestled between the Salthill Hotel and Galway Bay Hotel you will find a hidden gem where you can play with your dog by the pond! You can walk all the way from the putting range near Barna to the Cladagh in the city center and back again all the time by the sea.


Silver Strand Driving Time 5 Mins Dog Walking Time 30 mins

The same route to Barna Woods, continue past the woods for only a minute until you come to a small crossroads and take the left turn down a small road which leads to the beach. Silver strand is a lesser used beach near Barna where locals go to swim and surf no matter what the weather. This is a short but scenic walk. Watch out as you may get a little wetter than you intended walking so close to the sea!


Terryland Forest Park Driving Time 10 Mins Dog Walking Time 1 hour

Turn left at the main gate and drive to the traffic lights. Take a right and continue straight through the next roundabout. This leads to another roundabout, continue straight on. Pass the traffic lights at the Quincentenial Bridge cross road and continue along the bridge to the roundabout. Go straight through (in the centre or right hand lane) and go up the hill until you come to another roundabout. Turn left and continue along the Tuam road until you come to a set of traffic lights at a T junction. Take the left turn into the Liosbaun Industrial Estate. Go straight ahead and veer right when you come to the T Bend. At the end of the road you can continue to the left but don’t. Find parking but don’t double park as you may be clamped!!! This entrance to the walkway is a little obscure. If you stand where I’ve said to park and look back up to the traffic lights, the entrance will be behind you to the left by the grassy area. This walk brings you through the Industrial Estate via the woods, past Galway Bay FM and then through the terry land area. You will have to cross roads to go the whole way but don’t let that put you off. It’s a lovely stroll in the city suburbs!



Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Volvo Ocean Race

The Volvo Ocean Race, which first started in 1973, is a world yacht race for professional racing crews. The 2008 / 09 race is the 10th instance of the world race and this year it left Alicante in Spain on October 11 2008. On its 37000 mile trip, it will stop at 11 ports over its nine month duration including Cape Town, Singapore, Boston, Stockholm and of course, Galway!

The Race stops in Galway from May 23rd to June 6th 2009 at a specially designed and built Race Village. You can take a tour of the village by visiting the Lets Do It Galway website. The site was designed especially to detail all the information about the Volvo Ocean Race and you can even watch the race live by logging on.

Of course, you can book a room in the Ardilaun Hotel for your stay during the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/09. We have rooms for every type of request from Singles to Suites. And with a location only 5 minutes drive from the Race Village, you'll be right in the middle of all the action when the Race comes to Galway!

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Publish Post

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Christmas Vouchers

Why not share the love this Christmas with an Ardilaun Christmas Voucher? You can choose the amount you wish to spend or go for a set package.

We've thought of everything from 2 nights B&B and 1 evening meal, to afternoon tea, and from dinner for 2 to a facial just for one! It's entirely up to you.

Visit our website for more details or call us direct on 00353 91 519 700

Winter Deals

Spend 99 Euro per person and get all this

2 nights indulgent, sumptuous 4 star experience for 2 people
Traditional hearty Irish Breakfast each day (you definitely won't need lunch)
A five course candle lit dining experience fit for royalty
Exclusive use of our Leisure Club and lots of classes too
Lots of technology at no extra cost
Gardens you dream of waking up to
A big space for your car to sleep too
And, if we can, we might even give you a suprise too