The Hawthorn by Galway Bay will combine a world-class hotel, championship golf course, and experiential wellness spa on the edge of Galway Bay.
Connacht Hospitality Group has announced the forthcoming opening of The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, a landmark five-star hotel set to open its doors in early 2026, marking Galway’s first new five-star property in over two decades.
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.
A Vision Decades in the Making
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 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. The redevelopment, which began with the restoration of the golf clubhouse in 2023, is now well underway and will create 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 standards. Every detail, from the design to the service, reflects our ambition to create something truly exceptional for Ireland’s west coast.”
Luxury Experiences, Golf & Wellness
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 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.
Hotel Photography: Andrew Bradley
