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Galway Hen Party

Introduction
Known as the City of Tribes and bursting with bohemian and arts culture, Galway consistently ranks in the top 3 Hen Destinations in Ireland. The 2020 European Capital of Culture is located on Ireland’€™s rugged Wild Atlantic Coast and is packed full of pubs brimming with a character who loves to welcome Hen groups and there are also plenty of activities to keep your Hen Do entertained.

Local knowledge
Eyre Square: The square is located in the heart of Galway City and it’s a good meeting point in case any of your Hen members manage to get lost. The Train Station is right next to it, as are two of the main streets which Hen Parties commonly frequent, William Street and Shop Street. Where also all kinds of shops including craft shops, pubs and restaurants are located. Historic buildings and a vibe atmosphere make this area of Galway as one of the top attractions.
The Galway International Arts Festival: This has been going for just over 40 years and it’€™s easy to understand why. The annual festival takes place in the last two weeks in July which coincides nicely with the start of the famous Galway Races. The city comes alive during this period as people from all over the world flock to sample the atmosphere. Availability can be tricky during this period but if you can book your Hen Party early, you’€™re in for a treat, the city will be buzzing!
Connemara: Known for its rugged landscape and limestone walls, the cultural region known as Connemara is located west of Galway City. The area has a strong traditional Irish cultural identity and is mostly an Irish-speaking Gaeltacht area. It offers a beautiful alternative for your Hen Group to the hustle and bustle of the streets of Galway CIty.
William Street / Shop Street / Quay Street: Starting at Eyre Square, this holy trinity of pedestrianised streets lead into each other and are a must for any self-respecting Hen Do. You’€™ll find plenty of hen friendly bars and pubs where you and the girls could enjoy a few nice drinks and for hen foodies, plenty of amazing places to eat.
How to get to Galway
General
Galway City is located on the West Coast of Ireland and is serviced by an excellent road network. It is conveniently located for access to Shannon, Knock and Dublin Airports. The name of the main train station in Galway is Galway Ceannt Railway Station.

From Dublin – 207km
By car: Take the M4 / N4 motorway, followed by the M6 / N6 motorway, a journey time of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes

By train: The Dublin to Galway train departs from Heuston Station with a journey time of approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. Check out Irish Rail for times and fares.

By bus: The Expressway Route 20 bus operates between Dublin and Galway City. Check out Expressway for more information

From Cork – 196km
By car: Take the N20 out of Cork City towards Limerick, followed by the N18 from Limerick towards Galway. A journey time of approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes

By train: Take the train from Cork City to Dublin Heuston Station, changing at Heuston Station for Galway Ceannt Station Check out Irish Rail for times and fares.

By bus: The Expressway Route 51 bus operates between Cork and Galway City. Check out Expressway for more information

From Belfast – 327km
By car: The quickest and easiest route is to take the M1 Motorway for Dublin, followed by the M50 motorway southbound direction and taking the exit M4 / N4 exit for Galway. A journey time of approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes

By train: Take the train from Belfast to Dublin Connolly Station. Change at Connolly Station and take the Luas (tram) to Dublin Heuston station, followed by the train from Heuston Station to Galway Ceannt Station. Check out Irish Rail for times and fares.

By bus: There is no direct bus service from Belfast to Galway. You can travel by Expressway Route X1 from Europa Bus Centre in Belfast City to Busáras in Dublin, followed by the Expressway Route 20 bus service between Dublin and Galway City. Check out Expressway for more information

Accommodation
Hotels
Galway has a large variety of accommodation options that will suit any group expectations and budget. Galway is dominated by hotels and is also the most chosen accommodation by Hen groups.

One of the most hen friendly hotels is The Connacht Hotel. A 3-star hotel, located on Dublin Road ,is just 5 minutes drive to Eyre Square. Rooms vary between single, twin, triple and quad rooms, they also have a few family rooms for 5 people. They also have a leisure centre with a steam room and sauna so, if your hen party is looking for some relaxation before a crazy night out, this hotel is a perfect choice.

Flannerys Hotel is also located on the Dublin Road and is only a few minutes drive to Galway City Centre. This Hotel includes all of the essential amenities, free WI-FI and car park on-site, coffee and tea making facilities, room service and if you need they also offer laundry service. There is also a restaurant at the hotel where you could enjoy a nice quick bite before night out or a lovely dinner with your hen girls.

The Imperial Hotel is one of Galway’€™s oldest hotels and most modern. It is located right on Eyre Square and is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants. If you are planning a 2 night hen weekend, then this hotel is your best choice.

Budget options
If you would like to stay in central accommodation and don’€™t want to pay too much for accommodation, then our hen friendly hostel is the best place to stay. Located right next to Eyre Square it was once voted Ireland’€™s favourite hostel. Your Hen Do will have their own private dorms for 4, 6 or up to 8 persons with each person having their own all-round privacy curtain.

Travelodge Galway like every other Travelodge, does what it says on the tin. This value brand offers cheap and comfortable accommodation for Hen Parties only a 5-minute spin away from Eyre Square.

Daytime activities
The Escape Rooms in Galway City offers two terrifying rooms for Hen Groups to escape from in 1 hour of creepy fun, The Sherlocked Room or the Psychiatric Asylum. This is a great activity centrally located and a real brain tickler for everyone in the group.

The Connemara Pub Tour is the perfect activity which offers you and your hen ladies the chance to get out of the city and explore the wilds of the Connemara region while sampling some of the fine liquid refreshments that the local hostelries have to offer. The duration is 5 to 6 hours and you will be picked off and dropped off from your accommodation. 4 pubs will be visited with ‘‚¬20 worth of drinks vouchers thrown in for good measure.

One of the top hen activities in Galway is also Bubble Ball. It’€™s an hour-long activity located a few minutes drive from Eyre Square. It’€™s great fun, great, activity, a great way for a lot of laughs with your Hen Do Group!

Nighttime activities
Galway is full of fantastic bars and pubs and the best way to see some of those pubs is by doing a Pub Crawl. This is always a great addition to your first night in Galway so that your Hen Party can get to know the place a bit better and see which pubs you might want to come back to for the rest of the Hen Do!

If you have your hen weekend at Galway a night at The Dogs is always a good Hen Party pleaser and with options available in Galway like the Party Package or Food Party package, it is easy to see why.

The night doesn’t have to end on a Pub Crawl or evening at the dogs. Galway is full of great night venues and we know the best of the best! By booking the VIP Late bar/club you can avoid that messing and skip the queue, have a reserved area (subject to availability) with a complimentary shot and glass of bubbly for your Hen Do members!

Food options
An Pucan Finger food and 2 for 1 drink is a great way to get the Hen Do altogether at the start of the night in one of Galway City’€™s top spots. Additionally every hen girl will receive 2 for 1 drink voucher with the finger food!

If you and your ladies love the luxury feeling and would like to dine in the prettiest venue, The Hyde Bar is the one! It’s a hen friendly place located right in the centre with an amazing atmosphere. The Hyde bar offers either a 2-course meal with drink or a 3-course meal with drink, so you can pick which meal option suits your hen group better.

Is your Hen Do a big fan of Italian cuisine? Some pizza and pasta lovers? Milanos 2 course meal and drink will please your group then. This restaurant is located centrally and offers amazing Italian dishes. The meal option includes a starter, main and glass of wine.

Conclusion
Galway city is one of the most popular hen destinations in Ireland and I think we know why. Beautiful views, great people, amazing atmosphere and so much to do and see! The city is buzzing year-round with friendly locals, live music and street performers which create a party atmosphere like no other. Galway is a magical place and definitely a hen party destination.