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From the teeming artistic and cultural centre that is Galway City through the desolate beauty of the Aran Islands, from international standard golf courses to the best in traditional music sessions, Galway offers a microcosm of the best hospitality in the West of Ireland.

Self Catering Galway - Galway City

Galway City is one of Ireland's most prosperous cities and also one of its most appealing. Its lively art and music scene has made it the unofficial arts capital of the country. The excellent Galway Arts Festival, held every summer, is an accessible, buzzing culture fest. It's not surprising that Galway attracts droves of visitors, but it does so without alienating its long-standing population or losing its character. Visit Lynch's Castle, dating from 1490 and the oldest Irish medieval town house used daily for commercial purposes (it's now a bank). The stern exterior is watched over by a handful of amusing gargoyles. In Market Street, see the Lynch Memorial Window in a wall above a built-up Gothic doorway. It commemorates the tragic story of the 16th-century Galway mayor James Lynch FitzStephen, who condemned his own son to death for the murder of a Spanish merchant. After finding no-one to carry out the deed, he acted as executioner. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Galway was wealthy and cosmopolitan, with particularly strong trade links to Spain. The Spanish Arch was one of four arches built in 1594 and the Spanish Parade is a small open square. The hub of the city is a pedestrian park at Eyre Square, officially called the John F. Kennedy Park in commemoration of his visit in June 1963. It leads on to the medieval quarter with its distinctly artistic, bohemian atmosphere. Galway's good for shopping with an enticing array of speciality shops dotting the narrow streets featuring contemporary fashion, traditional woollens including Arans, jewellery and art. P Powell and Sons sells tin whistles and bodhrans, as well as sheet music, and Galway Market is a haven of farm-fresh produce and local crafts. Art lovers should not miss the Kenny Gallery, while The Druid and Town Hall Theatres offer a varied programme. Stop for lunch at arts showroom and restaurant Ard Bia, and, at night, check out the intimate Druid Lane Restaurant or the flamboyant and fun Oscar's. Most of the welcoming pubs have live music several nights a week -catch an informal ceilidh in the Crane Bar or savour the fabulous atmosphere of the traditional Sehan Ua Neachtain. The best nightclubs include Central Park, Karma -definitely dress to impress - and cuba.

On a sunny day, stroll the Prom at Salthill, where the experienced swimmer only may brave the bracing waters of the Atlantic. From May to September catch the ultimate Irish show there, Trad on the Prom - cliches, maybe, but great fun!

Self Catering Galway - Connemara

The slow coastal route between Galway and Connemara winds through picturesque seascapes and beaches - visit Silver Strand, and the village of Barna to sample the county's best seafood at O'Grady's on the Pier. Pretty Spiddal is home of the Spiddal Craft and Design Studios, and the entrance to the Irish speaking Gaeltacht region. Tigh Hughes there has exceptional music sessions, where professional names regularly turn up unnannounced and join in. Oughterard Brigid's Garden has four seasonal gardens, and boasts the largest sundial in Ireland. Rich in flora and with charming tea rooms, it also offers New Age Cookery demonstrations, yoga workshops and is a not-for-profit initiative to encapsulate and conserve the area's rich cultural and environmental legacy.

Self Catering Galway - Aran Islands

Any visit to County Galway must include a boat trip to the playwright JM Synge's beloved and inspirational Aran Islands. A 40 minute boat ride takes the traveller to the desolate beauty of a centuries old way of life. Inishmor is the most accessible with a plethora of stone walls, scattered buildings, and dry scrub which dominate the wind lashed island. It is guarded by three ancient forts, the most spectacular being Dun Aengus. Joe Watty's Bar an Ti Joe Mac's are favourite spots for a pint of Guinness and a bite to eat, served with accompanying traditional music and warm Island welcome.

Self Catering Galway - Galway Races

The Galway Races are adrenalin pumping, heart-stopping action and one of the most exciting events of the summer. They provide a thrilling unique experience attracting race goers from around the world.

The annual Summer Festival runs for seven consecutive days starting from the last Monday in July and is definitely one of the highlights in the Irish fashion calendar. Dress to impress as the photographers are out in force.

The dates for 2010 Galway Races meets: Summer Festival runs from Monday 26th July – Sunday 1st August. Autumn Meeting runs from Saturday 28th August – Monday 30th August and the October Bank Holiday Meeting runs on Sunday 24th October and Monday 25th October.

Self Catering Galway - Golf

Golfers are well catered for in County Galway. Galway Bay Golf and Country Club at Oranmore overlooks Galway Bay and boasts a rare challenge in the clever course designed by the Ryder and World Cup player, Christy O'Connor Jnr. Galway Golf Club at Blackrock is a tight tree-lined course. Some tiered greens make it very important to accurately place your drives and a good short game is necessary to score well. The course has excellent views of Galway Bay, the Burren and the Aran Islands.

Gort Golf Course is a parkland course with out-of-bounds areas on numerous holes. The course has several unusual features and has only recently been upgraded to an 18 hole course. Bearna Golf Club 's motto translates as 'Welcome, and may larks song accompany you' - intended to signal the tranquillity of this relatively new, gender equity club.

To sum it up, Galway is a County of contrasts- from the bleak and barren beauty of the Aran islands where time has stood still for centuries, through the sophisticated arts culture of cosmopolitan Galway City, to beautiful countryside rich in history and environmental beauty,rounded off with more than a few very special golf links. It's small wonder that Galway can confidently boat the ubiquitous accolade that it does, indeed, have something for everyone.

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