This book, The Hardiman – An Amazing Story celebrates the history of one of the most iconic buildings in Galway. It opened in 1852 as the Railway Hotel and was designed in a classical style by John Skipton Mulvany.
It immediately attracted some of the most prominent society circles and events. The hotel became a by-word for luxury and excellence from the beginning. Shortly after opening, a report stated that this ‘magnificent hotel’ could not be equalled in the kingdom. During the early twentieth century, the hotel had a strong military presence in the crucial years of political unrest in Ireland.
The hotel has also been at the heart of many historical and cultural events and has seen Galway evolve into a vibrant city of International importance.
It has welcomed many important figures across the threshold from the worlds of royalty, politics, sports, entertainment and the arts. The hotel guest list boasts of an absolute array of Hollywood stars and personalities.
The lives of the people and families who worked there are chronicled throughout the book. Their dedication and loyalty has ensured the continued success of the hotel. The history of the hotel really is an amazing story.
