Barna

Travel Guide

Once a tiny village onthe west coast of Ireland, Barna’s burgeoningreputation for exceptional dining is seeing it fast become a suburb of Galwayand a treasured feature in that city’s array of pubs, restaurants, arts andculture

And what better way toenjoy great regional food than with the wilds of Irelandon your doorstep. In Barna you’ll be ideallypositioned to head out into the spectacular natural scenes thatIreland offers, whether you choose to ascend themountains and soak in the majestic views across Galwaybay or to head out on the water on a fishing boat to cast your line, or evensimply enjoy the views from the greens of one of the three nearby golf courses.

Dining in Barna

The restaurants inBarna can boast among them a stunning brace ofnational food awards, that includes the Restaurant Association of Ireland’sBest Seafood Experience and Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, the Hotel &Catering Review’s prestigious Gold Medal Award for Best Bistro & Brasseries,and Georgina Campbell’s Best Seafood Restaurant in Ireland and “Galway's TopRestaurant”. Here you will also find the only restaurant in Ireland to win TheWine Spectator Award six years in a row.

So if you’re a foodie,Barna is inarguably the destination of choice forthe discerning visitor to Ireland’s west coast and well worth going the extramile to discover.

Culture and Nightlife in Barna

WhilstBarna itself still retains its rural village tranquility,its gradual conjoining with Galway City itself means visitors can also enjoythe livelier delights that this bohemian city of culture and arts has to offer.With its cobbled streets and boutique charm, Galway is a picture postcardseaside city with a vibrant cafe and bar culture.

Galway also plays host toa variety of festivals throughout the year: the Salthill Air Show welcomes theworld-famous Red Arrows, whilst the summer calendar is crowded with events forall interests, such as Galway Raceweek, the Galway Arts Festival, the FilmFleadh and the Literary Festival 'Cuairt'.

Nature and Heritage in Barna

Barnaoverlooks Galway Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, and an area of suchbeauty that it’s been immortalised in song time and again, most notably perhapsby both Bing Crosby and subsequently The Pogues in their classic “Fairytale ofNew York”.

The AranIslands at the mouth of the bay are beautiful strongholds of theIrish language and, for those adventurous enough to explore them, offer anincomparable monastic tranquillity.

Galway itself isconsidered the gateway to Connemara,and its renowned and ethereal National Park. InConnemara you will discover nearly 3000 hectaresof grasslands, woodland, mountains, heaths and bogs. It is also here that youwill discover the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, Ireland’s most romantic castleand the west of Ireland’s most visited attraction.

Enjoy Barna

Barna is a village thathas more than its size may suggest. Nationally recognised cuisine, gorgeouscoastline and mountain scenery and, with its ever-growing fraternity withneighbouring Galway City, access to one of Ireland’s liveliest and hippestseaside city resorts with all the buzz and excitement that this brings withit.

Where to stay in Barna

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Freeport

While there might not be top attractions in Freeport, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Bearna Golf And Country Club and Silver Strand.

Freeport
The Twelve Hotel
The Twelve Hotel
4 out of 5
Barna Village, Galway, Galway
The price is P10,454 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
P10,454
P11,866 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (645 reviews)
"Loved staying here!"

Reviewed on Nov 17, 2024

The Twelve Hotel
The Dean Galway
The Dean Galway
4 out of 5
80 Prospect Hill, Galway
The price is P8,236 per night from 1 May to 2 May
P8,236
P9,348 total
includes taxes & fees
May 1 - May 2
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (335 reviews)
"Good hotel. Great gym and pool area. Only two improvement areas for me: a buffet restaurant offer for breakfast or less heavy breakfast option and slightly better double glazing on front facing rooms. Rest was great."

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2025

The Dean Galway
Eyre Square Hotel
Eyre Square Hotel
3 out of 5
Forster Street, Eyre Square, Galway
The price is P9,234 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
P9,234
P10,481 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"The room we stayed in was very spacious, the bed was comfortable, the bathroom was spacious, and the location of the hotel is impeccable. The breakfast was amazing. The bar is beautiful. My wife and I will definitely book again if we go back to Galway."

Reviewed on Apr 13, 2025

Eyre Square Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Citypoint Apartments
Citypoint Apartments
4 out of 5
Eyre Square, Galway, Galway
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (409 reviews)
"Great value and location"

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2025

Citypoint Apartments
Madison House
Madison House
3.5 out of 5
Forster St, 21, Galway, Galway
Stay at this 3.5-star vacation home in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, hydromassage showerheads, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are ...
7.4/10 Good! (7 reviews)
"Room was tiny. No reception. We never saw anyone that worked for the hotel. This was especially a problem when some people staying at the hotel got locked out at 3am and spent half an hour banging on the door trying to get someone to let them in."

Reviewed on Jan 1, 2024

Madison House
Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
2.5 out of 5
Headford Rd, Galway, Galway
Stay at this aparthotel in Galway. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Eyre Square and Quay Street are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (39 reviews)
"Good value. The doors are really loud no matter how gently you try to close them. The walk to city centre is on a very busy road, but the upside is there plenty of shopping close to the hostel."

Reviewed on Sep 5, 2024

Cúirt na Coiribe Self Catering
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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