With yet another award announced earlier this month, Ann Downey General manager and her team at the Connemara Coast Hotel have even more to celebrate right now. Following on their inclusion in the prestigious 2009 Bridgestone 100 Best places to stay in Ireland and their Failte Ireland ‘Best practice/Optimus award’ coupled with the Green Energy Award they received in January, CIE tours have just announced the hotel has won an Award of Excellence from them.
The Connemara Coast is among the most highly rated four star hotels in the country and in recent years it has invested substantially in upgrading its facilities and added a further 30 new bedrooms and suites in 2007. Last year saw the refurbishment of its Aran Suite, with extensive work to the gardens and a new bridal suite also added this year.
The Connemara Coast was originally home to the Earl of Westmeath. In 1922 the Earl sold it to Michael O’Droighnean, a local national school teacher, who then sold it to his brother Sean.
In 1968 William (Bill ) Fuller, a colourful character from Kerry, purchased the house and established what then became ‘Teach Furbo’, one of the most successful entertainment venues in the country.
In 1985 Teach Furbo was bought from Fuller by the present owners. Following the completion of a substantial re-investment project the premises re-opened in 1986 as the Grade A four star Connemara Coast Hotel we all know today.
The hotel has among the finest facilities of any hotel in the country. With its spectacular setting and private grounds that sweep right down to the shores of Galway Bay, it ranks as one of the most popular resorts in the country. These latest awards confirm the hotel’s status as one of Galway’s most important tourism products, attracting as it does annually numerous discerning visitors from home and abroad.
