BY DECLAN VARLEY
Galway is to welcome its first new five-star hotel in more than two decades when the Connacht Hospitality Group opens The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, early in the New Year.
Representing an investment of €60 million, The Hawthorn by Galway Bay will combine a world-class hotel, championship golf course, and experiential wellness spa on the edge of Galway Bay. Located on a spectacular coastal headland near Oranmore, the property promises to redefine luxury on Ireland’s west coast while celebrating the spirit, craft, and landscape that make Galway unique.
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay is the realisation of a long-held vision first imagined by Christy O’Connor Jnr., whose 1989 Ryder Cup heroics remain part of Irish sporting legend. Christy Jnr. designed the original Galway Bay Golf Course in 1993, foreseeing the site as a global destination that would unite great golf and great hospitality. Now, thirty years later, and ten years after Christy’s passing, that vision is being brought fully to life by the Connacht Hospitality Group.
Over the past decade, the Group has gradually assembled the land, assets, and expertise needed to transform the former Galway Bay Golf Resort into one of Ireland’s most ambitious hospitality projects. Central to this transformation has been a multi-year enhancement of the championship course and clubhouse, elevating the golfing experience to five-star standard.
A comprehensive equipment renewal programme has improved playing conditions, while a three-season gorse renovation has restored ocean views and reconnected the course with its dramatic coastal setting. Sustainability has been a major focus, with approximately 22 acres re-wilded using tall fescue grasses, reducing intensive maintenance and encouraging biodiversity — including the return of the native skylark. The introduction of a fully electric buggy fleet further underscores this commitment to responsible operations.
Clubhouse renovation
A significant bunker renovation is underway to refine the course’s strategic coastal layout, and the clubhouse will undergo an additional refurbishment in early 2026, with upgraded facilities designed to meet the expectations of global golf travellers. Membership has also expanded through the IMG Prestige network, offering access to 150+ top courses worldwide, all initiatives that reinforce the Group’s long-term commitment to quality, sustainability, and exceptional service, creating an exceptional member experience, and positioning Galway Bay Golf as one of Ireland’s premier coastal golf destinations.
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay began with the restoration of the golf clubhouse in 2023, and is now well underway, creating approximately 200 jobs through construction and operation. Once open, it will increase Connacht Hospitality Group’s workforce to over 700 people, cementing its position as Galway’s largest hospitality employer.
“The Hawthorn by Galway Bay is a hugely important project for the Connacht Hospitality Group,” says Peter Fitzgerald, the Group CEO. “For us, it’s much more than a hotel. It’s the fulfilment of a vision that began with Christy O’Connor Jnr. and his belief in this extraordinary place. We’re proud to continue that legacy, creating a destination that brings the warmth and authenticity of Galway hospitality together with the standards of a world-class luxury experience. Every detail, from the design to the service, reflects our ambition to create something truly exceptional for Ireland’s west coast.”
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay will feature 114 guestrooms, including 47 Junior Suites and 17 Penthouse Suites, several of which can be joined to create multi-generational family residences with private entrances. The hotel’s signature live-fire restaurant will be called The Skylark, and The Oyster Catcher Bar will offer sweeping views over the championship course and Galway Bay. Guests can also discover The Chocolate Laboratory, The Whiskey Room, and The Wine Cellar, each designed as intimate experiences for tastings and private events.
Wellness sanctuary
At the heart of the hotel lies The Spa at The Hawthorn, an immersive wellness sanctuary featuring thermal and hydrotherapy zones, holistic treatment rooms, and restorative spaces. Outdoors, guests will enjoy walking and running trails, sailing experiences, and sea safaris along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Leading the pre-opening and launch is General Manager John Keating, an Irish hotelier with more than three decades of global luxury experience, most recently at Fairmont St. Andrews in Scotland. Dean Montgomery joins as Director of Golf, bringing world-class operational experience from renowned courses including Royal Liverpool and Yas Links Abu Dhabi.
Once complete, Ireland’s newest five-star, The Hawthorn by Galway Bay will represent a new chapter in Irish hospitality, telling a story of renewal, of vision, and of place. Framed by native hawthorn trees, rolling greens, and the ever-changing Atlantic horizon, The Hawthorn by Galway Bay is preparing to welcome guests from Ireland and around the world to experience the beauty and character of the West in five-star comfort.
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, Renville West, Oranmore, Co. Galway, H91 YXRZ www.thehawthornhotel.ie @thehawthorn_hotel
