Ahhh Claregalway! Who among us has not sat in traffic there at least once? Like most small towns it has a good takeaway and a cosy cafe, but it is Tì Cusacks Bar and Restaurant in The Claregalway Hotel that is my preferred escape from the traffic in this bustling little spot. The hotel is located in the heart of the picturesque village and just across the Clare River from the historic Claregalway Abbey.
This popular, modern, hotel is kept busy throughout the summer with weddings, tourists, and those traveling for business, but it is a regular haunt for locals too. It boasts a fitness and leisure centre, pool, a relaxing Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. Whether staying for business or pleasure, or holidaying with the family, Claregalway Hotel ticks all the boxes. It is a great location to explore Connemara and the west and there is ample parking for guests. The relaxed atmosphere and welcoming staff means the hotel has won a large share of repeat custom, ensuring its popularity through the cold winter months and especially at Christmas time.
With comfortable seating and great service, Tì Cusacks Bar and Restaurant is the place to meet friends or colleagues for a coffee, teas, or even a whiskey or two. During the day the bar and restaurant is a hub of business meetings and friends enjoying homemade scones or having lunch. By night the atmosphere is fun and relaxed, it is a place to enjoy good food, drinks, and creative cocktails.
The choice from the evening appetizer menu ranges from chowder to spring rolls, all very competitively priced. Thereafter follows the choice of mains ranging from seared tuna to spinach ravioli to pizza. We tried a nicely made Caesar salad and an old fashioned prawn cocktail for our starters. A succulent chicken supreme was well cooked and plentiful, with accompanying mashed potatoes and a rich mushroom sauce. A French style rack of pork with onion rings was the star of the show, the portions here are large, another reason I suspect for its repeat local custom. Always eager to interact and get feedback, manager Brian makes a regular appearance at all the tables to deliver some dishes in person and keep us entertained. There are a few desserts on offer, we passed on these in favour of some of their speciality cocktails, made just for the festive season and uncommonly good. There is a reasonably priced cocktail menu the rest of the year and a small choice of wines all available by the bottle, half carafe, or glass.
This is a great local restaurant which continues to please with its varied, well priced, menu. It has become firmly rooted in the community and developed strong relationships with the customers. The team have recognised that an emphasis placed firmly on customer service, choice, and value will ensure their popularity.
They do sleeping, meeting, dining, weddings, and relaxing really well. They mix these things with an enthusiastic, personable, staff who clearly enjoy what they do. A very welcoming retreat with competent, uncomplicated, cooking, and Irish hospitality at its finest.
Claregalway Hotel, Claregalway, Co Galway. T: +353 (0 )91 738 300 E: [email protected].
