The island of Ireland is fortunate to be blessed with a plethora of diverse and varied world-class golf experiences.
Take the Emerald Isle’s iconic Wild Atlantic Way as an example. From the celebrated links of he country’s south-west region to the rugged championship courses of the north-west, there is so much for players of all ages and handicaps to enjoy.
And from this spring, golfers will have the perfect new base to explore the famed golfing corridor with the opening of a landmark five-star golf hotel that is set to redefine luxury on Ireland’s west coast.
As part of a wider €60 million project, the opening next month will also represent the fulfilment of a long-held vision by Ryder Cup legend Christy O’Connor Jnr to establish the site as a global golf destination.
The Galway-born former European Tour player designed the original course on-site, with the par-72 layout opening in 1993, and the hotel launch is set to offer international visitors a compelling new base to experience the breathtaking Atlantic region.
Easily accessed from Ireland West Airport in Knock and via the motorway from Shannon Airport, The Hawthorn by Galway Bay will feature 114 guestrooms, including 47 junior suites and 17 penthouse suites.
Dining will be anchored by The Skylark, a signature live-fire restaurant celebrating the best of Irish produce, while The Oystercatcher Bar will offer Japanese cuisine with panoramic views across the championship course and Galway Bay.
Guests will also discover a series of intimate experiential spaces including its own chocolatier in the Chocolate Nest, a Whiskey Room and a Wine Cellar, designed for curated tastings and private events.
At the heart of the property lies The Spa at The Hawthorn, an immersive wellness sanctuary designed for deep restoration and renewal where guests can experience bespoke contrast therapy, holistic treatment room and thoughtfully designed relaxation spaces that invite stillness and balance.
Beyond the spa, curated outdoor experiences including walking and running trails, sailing excursions and sea safaris along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Substantial upgrades are also being made to the golf experience that Golf at The Hawthorn offers its members and guests as the 18-hole championship layout benefits from course improvement work, including a full bunker regeneration project that has transformed the visual character and strategic challenge of O’Connor Jnr’s original design.
Initially featuring no fewer than 114 bunkers and a mixture of traditional parkland and pot-bunker styles, the major redesign has reduced the number in play by more than 40 while cutting the total bunker surface area across the layout by approximately 70 per cent.
Many of the larger hazards have been removed, replaced with a more refined strategic style or reduced in scale, while several greenside bunkers have been replaced with carefully contoured run-off areas designed to introduce a broader range of recovery shots around the putting surfaces.
Dean Montgomery, the venue’s director of golf, said: “The golf course here has always had remarkable natural potential, and it is a privilege to be overseeing its next chapter. Our focus is on elevating the holistic golf experience while respecting Christy O’Connor Jnr’s original vision for the site.
“The course offers a compelling challenge for international visitors, and the opening of The Hawthorn will provide luxury-seekers with the perfect base to explore this wonderful destination.”
Visit The Hawthorn by Galway Bay website for more information and to book your stay
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