The Hawthorn by Galway Bay - new luxury hotel on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay will bring world-class luxury to Ireland’s spectacular west coast, combining a five-star hotel, championship golf course, and immersive wellness spa on a dramatic coastal headland near Oranmore. Opening in early 2026, this landmark property promises to redefine luxury travel in Ireland while celebrating the spirit, craft, and landscape that make Galway unique.
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay brings to life a vision first imagined by Irish golf legend Christy O’Connor Jnr., designer of the original Galway Bay Golf Course. Three decades later, Connacht Hospitality Group is realising that dream, creating a destination that unites world-class golf and luxury hospitality on Ireland’s stunning west coast.
Galway Bay Golf Course, Galway
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.
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 hotel’s 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.
The Hawthorn Guestroom, Galway
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