County Galway Travel Forum

Just wondering if there are any shops that sell groceries in Spideal. Also, what is the town like? How are the restaurants? Any info would be great!!

all I remember about Spideal is that I had been there at the small airfield in order to see the planes leaving for the Aran islands, and that day all flights were fully booked and a lot of business going on, so I could imagine that the village is also not just a sleepy place, but full of shops etc.
Galway city is not in a large distance anyway

Spiddal, or An Spideal, has 2 shops one with a petrol station. You will find most of what you need in terms of food and provisions in these shops and there are also supermarkets in Galway city and another one 3 miles West of the village called Siopa an Phobal. There are also a number of pubs in the town with Hughes being our favourite (take a right at the bank). On most weekend nights and sometimes during the week in summer time you will hear live traditional Irish music being played in the pubs.

In terms of restaurants you can choose from The Cruiscin Lan Hotel, The Bridge House hotel or the Boluisce Restaurant all located in the village itself or Jackie's Bistro located behind the Craft Centre. There also Padraigin's restaurant and bar by the beach in Furbo 3 mile East and Donnelly's or The twelve Pins in Barna village 7 miles East on the way to Galway. A little further away in the town of Moycullen you will find Moycullen House and The White Gables, both of which are fine restaurants.

If you have the time, you must stop into the Spiddal Craft Centre. You can see crafts being made and purchase unique handmade gifts directly from the skilled Artisans themselves. The Centre has a wide range of workshops, including candle making, leather work, pottery, screen-printing and siopa Gaeilge, weaving, Celtic jewellery, bodhrán making, wood-turning and a Restaurant. It is well worth the visit.

If you don't have a B&B nailed down, I would recommend Cois Na Tra, http://www.coisnatra.com/ or Cnoc Suain - The Old House or O Cualain, if you are interested in letting a self cater cottage for a week.

I hope this has been some help!

Nollaig Maith Duit (Merry Christmas),

Bit Devine
Cowboy Craic

Galway Golf Club is just a short drive from Spiddal, and in the village itself you can hire boats,as well as windsurfing and shore fishing.

For some back history, Spiddal is best known for Colaiste Chonnacht to which students come from all over Ireland and the world to learn the Irish language, culture and traditions. The village name is thought to have come from Ospidéal, meaning hospital, named after a hospital within the village many centuries ago. You will notice, as you venture into County Galway, that signage will be in Irish.