Galway Bay golf course near Oranmore is one of the most scenic golf courses in Ireland. It overlooks Galway Bay, with Galway city and the Aran Islands in the distance. The course is very challenging, but a great test for the more gifted golfers. Or so I'm told, as everything I know about golf can be written on the back of a postage stamp.
Perched at the edge of the Atlantic, the clubhouse bar at The Galway Bay Golf Resort was formerly a favourite haunt of golfers, tourists, and locals. With a good range of single malts, wines, and draught beers, the bar was the perfect place to quench your thirst after a great day out golfing or touring. Now it is back to its former glory with a recent facelift. The spacious lounge area is modern and comfortable, there is ample parking, and a confident team in the kitchen. The clubhouse is central to all the club’s events and social activities, as well as for many private functions. It is perfect for tea, coffee, and some light snacks before venturing out on the course, or it could offer a warming Irish coffee or hot whiskey for the returning golfer on these colder days. There is a spacious lounge area with comfortable seating. There is also an outdoor seating area and barbecue which is used when the weather is more favourable.
While the Rinville Point Restaurant here may be the ideal place to celebrate that ‘hole-in-one’ on the plush fairways and manicured greens of its PGA Championship golf course, luckily for me it is not only limited to golfers. It is open to all and is a great option for meeting friends, family outings, or groups. The restaurant offers stunning views from every corner with the panoramic bay as a backdrop. It is positioned alongside the first tee and provides a great location to watch all the on course action.
The restaurant offers diners a diverse à la carte menu featuring a broad selection of delicious traditional and modern dishes. There is something for all tastes and for all times of the day. All meals are covered from a traditional breakfast to a full three course dinner, or just a quiet coffee and scone. The selection of food includes generous steaks, delicate fish and salads, creamy pasta, and indulgent desserts. Choose from a selection of starters, main courses, and desserts with daily specials and a full bar.
Signature sambos such as a tuna melt with steakhouse chips and fresh salad at €6.50 offer a great value lunch. There are plenty of lighter choices like the super food salad or golden crumbed goat's cheese. Expect the usual crowd pleasers, beef burgers, chicken goujons, and the ubiquitous pulled pork bap. More exotic choices run to Thai curry and tiger prawn tagliatelle. There is a shout out to local ingredients in the Galway Hooker beer battered cod and chips, always nice to see. Or you could warm up with your hands wrapped around a bowl of creamy seafood chowder.
We order a steak, a good test of a kitchen, and this one passed with flying colours, cooked perfectly pink with mushroom and onion and plenty of chunky chips. Even better was the daily special, two burnished squares of pork belly sitting in a dark, sticky, jus and a ‘lick the plate clean’ celeriac puree. Warm apple pie with cream and an excellent melting chocolate fondant with berry compote were a steal at €3.95 and €4.50 respectively.
Now that the summer golfing season is over, and with the shortening of daylight hours, it is a great little detour to make. With good food, friendly staff, and unbeatable views, Galway Bay Golf Club offers great value dining in Oranmore.
Galway Bay Golf Club, Renville, Oranmore, Co Galway. Phone (091 ) 790 711.
