2014 Annual Conference Archive

Travel Advice

For an interactive Map of Galway, highlighting key locations for the Conference, click Here. 
Please find below some useful information for visitors:

Transport

Galway is located in the West of Ireland. The nearest airports are Knock and Shannon. Dublin, while 2.5 hours away, is extremely well linked by bus services, and both GoBus.ie and Citylink.ie provide regular and extremely affordable services from Galway City to the airport with wi-fi access and toilet facilities. Both Shannon and Knock are well linked also, though not as regularly. I would recommend consulting BusEireann.ie for more information on services to Knock and Shannon. 

Air

Land

Around Galway

Galway is not terribly big, and NUI Galway is located very close to the city centre. The chances are that you will be able to walk quite comfortably to and from the conference in NUI Galway and your accommodation. There are also a range of options for transport within the city. 

 There is a Galway City bus service, with details also on BusEireann.ie

 There are a number of Taxi services in Galway, however we recommend downloading Hailo, ‘The Taxi Magnet’ from the App Store – for more information see https://www.hailocab.com/ireland

 You can also call:

  • Galway Taxis – (091) 561 111
  • Galway City Taxis – (091) 525 252
  • Big-O-Taxis – (091) 585858
  • ProCabs – (091) 535455

 There are taxi ranks on Eyre Square, Bridge Street and Salthill. 

 

Accommodation

My University is Paying

NUI Galway particularly recommends the Radisson and Westwood Hotels. While these hotels do offer a corporate rate for university events, unfortunately it applies Sunday – Thursday, so it may be that most delegates are unable to avail of it. If you are arriving on Thursday we recommend calling the hotel, and mentioning that you are attending a conference in NUI Galway. They will give you their best rate.

Also try:

I’m Paying

Discover Ireland is our national Tourist Board, with accommodation listings including B&Bs and Guesthouses: http://www.discoverireland.ie/where-to-stay/

There are also a number of hostels including:

 

Things to do in Galway

 We are not being biased when we say Galway really is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city is rich in history and culture. Whether you have a few hours or a few days to kill before or after the conference, we have some suggestions below. 

You may want to keep an eye on the weather report (http://www.met.ie/) before making plans, but we always say “there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing”. Prepare for wind and rain, and you may be blessed with a gorgeous sunny day. 

One Hour

You could take a stroll around the Galway City Museum: http://www.galwaycitymuseum.ie/

 People watching is the official sport of Galway. The best spot is Tigh Neacthain on Cross Street (http://www.tighneachtain.com/) where you can sample local oysters and a pint of Guinness while random maestros occasionally take over the piano. There is also McCambridge’s on Shop St if you prefer coffee (http://mccambridges.com/) and Eyre Square if you prefer to watch the city go by without a beverage in hand. 

Three Hours

You could visit Salthill, the seaside town adjacent to Galway City. Salthill has the longest Seaside Promenade in Europe – if you make it to the end you can ‘kick the wall’ like the locals. 

 There are also long sandy beaches, and the iconic diving board in Blackrock. Think it’s too cold? You’re probably right, but that doesn’t stop Galwegians from jumping in every day of the year. Even on Christmas Day someone, young or old, can be seen leaping from the diving board at any time of day: just watch and wait. A dip in the Atlantic Ocean is also the best known curative from Galway’s famous nightlife. 

If it’s raining you may prefer to see the Galway Atlantaquaria: http://www.nationalaquarium.ie/

Salthill also has some lovely cafes, restaurants and bars to choose from:

 You could also take a walking tour of Galway City to learn about its rich history: http://www.walkingtoursgalway.com/

An Evening

There is always something going on in Galway, not matter the day of week. 

For a comfortable theatre check out the Townhall and Blackbox (www.tht.ie), the Druid Theatre (http://www.druid.ie/) or, má tá Gaeilge agat, An Taibhdhearc (http://antaibhdhearc.com/).

 We are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Solas Picture Palace, independent cinema: http://www.picturepalace.ie/

 For Live Music see the Roisin Dubh (www.roisindubh.net), Monroes (www.monroes.ie) or The Quays (http://www.louisfitzgerald.com/quaysgalway).

You can catch a Trad Session most days in The Crane Bar (http://www.thecranebar.com/), Tigh Cóilí or Taafes (both on Shop Street). If you’re going to the Crane, take a seat by the fire. The music upstairs is just for tourists. Give it some time in the quiet downstairs bar and someone will eventually take out an instrument, or break into song. 

A Day

If you have an entire day to kill we recommend heading West to Connemara, where the possibilities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, horse riding and sight-seeing seem endless:

For more suggestions see: