I wholeheartedly concur with the previous reviewer comments about Arus Grattan. My two teens and I booked a two-bedroom on the 2nd floor of Arus Grattan last June, 2006.

We were able to see the Galway Air Show from our balcony overlooking Galway Bay, or relaxed sitting inside to enjoy the view from the wall of windows facing the Bay. We kept all the windows open to feel the breezes off the Bay. Definitely no need for airconditoning there, even though Ireland experienced some unusually warm weather last summer.

The apartment also had free broadband access, which was a huge plus for my son! My teens were 19 & 21, and I had no qualms about letting them go on their own into the old town area of Galway, either walking or taking the bus.

The gourmet grocery mentioned by the previous reviewer was also my favorite place to get fixings for meals. She didn't mention the terrific fruit and custard tarts from the bakery next to the market! There's also a nite club/restaurant about a hundred yards from the apartment. We weren't on a large budget and only ate out one evening in Galway (and that was a disappointment), though we probably spent more than our share in the many pubs - Galway has a very lively nightlife!

We drove from the aparment for a beautiful day trip around the Connemara area, and also made other trips to the Burren, Doolin, and the Cliffs of Moher. Everything was very convienient from our location. We'd already been to the Aran Islands on a previous trip, but the ferry landing is also just a 30 min. drive from the apartment, which is in the Salthill area just west of Galway. One evening, when we were exhausted from too much touring, we went to a large cinema complex just on the other side of Galway. There was a bar in the cinema, so I got to relax with a glass of wine while waiting for the movie to begin. Can't get much better than that!

As mentioned, Sean, the owner of Arus Grattan, was exceptionally helpful during our stay. If I find time this week, I'll post some interior and balcony shots taken from the apartment. There are some pics on their website, [--]

The Stallworth Family
(Lynmaire, Logan, and Breanna)
Marietta, Georgia, USA