Once a tiny village onthe west coast of Ireland, Barna’s burgeoningreputation for exceptional dining is seeing it fast become a suburb of Galwayand a treasured feature in that city’s array of pubs, restaurants, arts andculture
And what better way toenjoy great regional food than with the wilds of Irelandon your doorstep. In Barna you’ll be ideallypositioned to head out into the spectacular natural scenes thatIreland offers, whether you choose to ascend themountains and soak in the majestic views across Galwaybay or to head out on the water on a fishing boat to cast your line, or evensimply enjoy the views from the greens of one of the three nearby golf courses.
Dining in Barna
The restaurants inBarna can boast among them a stunning brace ofnational food awards, that includes the Restaurant Association of Ireland’sBest Seafood Experience and Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, the Hotel &Catering Review’s prestigious Gold Medal Award for Best Bistro & Brasseries,and Georgina Campbell’s Best Seafood Restaurant in Ireland and “Galway's TopRestaurant”. Here you will also find the only restaurant in Ireland to win TheWine Spectator Award six years in a row.
So if you’re a foodie,Barna is inarguably the destination of choice forthe discerning visitor to Ireland’s west coast and well worth going the extramile to discover.
Culture and Nightlife in Barna
WhilstBarna itself still retains its rural village tranquility,its gradual conjoining with Galway City itself means visitors can also enjoythe livelier delights that this bohemian city of culture and arts has to offer.With its cobbled streets and boutique charm, Galway is a picture postcardseaside city with a vibrant cafe and bar culture.
Galway also plays host toa variety of festivals throughout the year: the Salthill Air Show welcomes theworld-famous Red Arrows, whilst the summer calendar is crowded with events forall interests, such as Galway Raceweek, the Galway Arts Festival, the FilmFleadh and the Literary Festival 'Cuairt'.
Nature and Heritage in Barna
Barnaoverlooks Galway Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, and an area of suchbeauty that it’s been immortalised in song time and again, most notably perhapsby both Bing Crosby and subsequently The Pogues in their classic “Fairytale ofNew York”.
The AranIslands at the mouth of the bay are beautiful strongholds of theIrish language and, for those adventurous enough to explore them, offer anincomparable monastic tranquillity.
Galway itself isconsidered the gateway to Connemara,and its renowned and ethereal National Park. InConnemara you will discover nearly 3000 hectaresof grasslands, woodland, mountains, heaths and bogs. It is also here that youwill discover the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, Ireland’s most romantic castleand the west of Ireland’s most visited attraction.
Enjoy Barna
Barna is a village thathas more than its size may suggest. Nationally recognised cuisine, gorgeouscoastline and mountain scenery and, with its ever-growing fraternity withneighbouring Galway City, access to one of Ireland’s liveliest and hippestseaside city resorts with all the buzz and excitement that this brings withit.
