It might have been the strangest year but there nothing strange at all about the familiar welcome that awaits people when they venture back into the heart of the city for their Christmas experience next month.
With retailers gearing up to create a uniquely Galway Christmas experience, businesses in the general Eyre Square area are pulling out all the stops to make Christmas 2020 the safest and the most enjoyable it can be.
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Murty Rabbitts
We spoke to several key businesses this week and the uniform reaction was that they have been working like elves to make sure that they are ready and prepared for the grand re-opening on December 2.
While none of us know yet what level we will be going into, you can rest assured that the shops, the hotels, the bars, the eateries around the Eyre Square area will make your shopping or dining experience the best it can be.
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An Pucan Pasta Chicken
Eveanna Ryan from the Connacht Hospitality Group told The Advertiser that they have used the time out to refurbish their wide stable of venues throughout the city. This can be seen in the changes at An Pucan and at Hyde which are in line with the groups' new focus on sustainability. This approach sees living walls in An Pucan and in the wonderfully designed Connacht Hotel.
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Hyde bar Galway
"We have used this time to focus on the products we have, to not rest on our laurels but to look at ways in which we can improve the quality of what we offer.
"By improving, quality, we are by extension improving the value for our customers," she said.
"Over the past few months the group, owned and managed by the Fitzgerald family from Clarinbridge, with the support of fellow company director John Carmody, and their experienced leadership team, have taken a range of actions to not only sustain their businesses throughout this pandemic, but also to place the company in the best possible position for recovery.
"There are developments currently underway in the award winning An Púcan with equally as exciting plans for the popular 1520 Bar, to be completed in the coming weeks.
"These changes will see both An Púcan and 1520 adapt to the “new normal” and ensure patrons can return to both enjoyable and safe surroundings whilst adopting the sustainability policies that have become a core value of the group," she added. The group also have impressive plans for the Galway Bay Golf Resort at Renville.
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Kinlay Hostel
The same principles of preparation apply at the Eyre Square Shopping Centre where manager Avril Smith promises a wonderful Christmas experience for all shoppers once all stores open on December 2, subject to the Government guidelines.
"Eyre Square Shopping Centre and all of our retailers will be open from December 2 when we will have extended opening hours and all retailers will be fully stocked.
"Your Christmas Shopping experience might be different this year but you can still expect the same, warm Eyre Square Centre welcome from our colleagues and retailers.
"We are asking customers to please do your bit to help keep everyone safe so use hand sanitising stations, follow the marked routes and maintain a safe distance from others,"said Ms Smith.
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Eyre Square Shopping Centre
Eyre Square Shopping Centre incorporates more than 70 shops including a mix of local Irish retailers as well as the best known brands from the high street including Penneys, New Look, JD Sports, DV8, Specsavers, Vera Moda, Jack and Jones, Dunnes Stores, Regatta and many more.
As well as its leading mix of fashion and leisure retailers, Eyre Square Shopping Centre has a selection of cafe style eateries offering shoppers a range of choices from tasty nibbles to coffee and snacks.
The building that has overlooked the Square across three separate centres now has also been a hive of festive activity.
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The Hardiman
Caroline Spollen of The Hardiman says that the team there has been been busy behind the scenes in the hotel and introducing new offers to the local market such as The Hardiman Hampers to take a piece of Christmas from The Hardiman home with them or to gift to a loved one.
"We have three hampers which are:
Christmas Bakes from the Hardiman — Filled with delicious festive treats to include a Christmas Pudding, Brandy Butter, Oxford Lunch Cake, Home made Christmas Stollen and our Hardiman Mince Pie.
The Bloody Melley — named after our very own Paul Melley (who devised it ) the traditional Bloody Mary has been made a whole lot better. Includes House Infused Jalapeno Vodka, tingling Tabasco, Worcestershire Sauce, Fresh Garlic, Lemon Juice, Olive Juice, Tomato Juice a Boston Shaker. A perfect gift for cocktail hour... or even the morning after.
Sweet, Savoury & a little Fizz — the perfect gift for those who love to entertain and mix it up... contains a bottle of Prosecco, accompanied by the Hardiman’s Charcuterie Selection, Smoked Peppered Mackerel, Blue Cheese, our House Chutney & Cheese biscuits.
"We are offering our Festive Afternoon Tea for takeaway during the month of December to offer locals a little bit of The Hardiman experience at home, this well known tradition amongst local’s can now be enjoyed at home and hopefully in the hotel during the month of December, Festive afternoon tea is €20 pp and Festive Afternoon Tea in The Hardiman is €25 per person
"We are delighted to introduce a new click & collect service which will allow you to order your favourite dishes from the Gaslight Brasserie at the Hardiman," added Ms Spollen.
The Hardiman Santa Lunch Experience will be available during Saturday and Sunday Lunch in December offering a two course lunch menu for €25 or 3 course for €35 followed by a visit with Santa on the day, we have our safe Santa ready to visit The Hardiman, our Santa lunch experience is subject to level restrictions at the time," she said.
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The Skeff
So, there is a lot to come to town for this festive season. We can embrace the new normal in the heart of the city by all playing our part, by being responsible for our safety and that of those around us. There is so much to experience in and around Eyre Square this Christmas. Come and see for yourselves and support all of the businesses that contribute to the year-round vibrancy of the city centre.
