A new chapter for golf tourism on Ireland’s west coast is about to begin, with the much-anticipated opening of The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, a five-star golf hotel set to welcome its first guests in May 2026.

Located just outside Galway city along the famed Wild Atlantic Way, the development will be the first new five-star hotel to open in Galway for more than two decades. Blending championship golf with modern luxury, wellness facilities and destination dining, the property is expected to become an important new hub for international visitors exploring one of the world’s most celebrated golf regions.

General manager John Keating said:

“The Hawthorn by Galway Bay represents something truly special for the West of Ireland. Every element of the guest experience, from our suites and dining concepts to our spa and the welcome you receive has been carefully curated to reflect the beauty, character and warmth of Galway.

“As we approach our May opening, there is a real sense of excitement within the team as we prepare to welcome guests to this extraordinary destination.”

Christy O’Connor Jnr’s Championship Course Vision Comes to Life

At the heart of the project lies a connection to one of Ireland’s most revered golfing figures, Christy O’Connor Jnr. The Ryder Cup legend designed the original course on the site, which opened in 1993 and has long been regarded as one of the west coast’s hidden gems.

More than three decades later, his ambition of establishing the location as a major golf destination is close to becoming reality.

The course, previously known as Galway Bay Golf, stretches to more than 7,300 yards from the back tees and plays as a par-72 championship layout. Its distinctive hawthorn trees are scattered across the terrain and often lean into the Atlantic breeze that sweeps inland from the nearby coastline, adding both beauty and challenge for golfers.

Recent investment has also focused on improving the course, including a comprehensive bunker regeneration programme designed to further enhance the playing experience.

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.”

The venue already holds an interesting place in golf history. In 1999 it hosted the West of Ireland Golf Classic, an event won by Costantino Rocca, with Pádraig Harrington finishing runner-up. The tournament formed part of qualification for the 1999 Ryder Cup and attracted a field featuring future stars such as Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Paul McGinley.

The Hawthorn by Galway Bay Positioned Along Ireland’s Famous Golf Corridor

Positioned between the celebrated links courses of Ireland’s south-west and the rugged championship layouts of the north-west, The Hawthorn is expected to become a natural stopping point within the country’s renowned golf corridor.

Few places offer a setting quite like Ireland’s Atlantic coastline. The Wild Atlantic Way stretches along the western seaboard where towering cliffs, sweeping bays and remote islands bear the mark of centuries of wind and tide. Around each bend lies another village, another stretch of beach or another ancient monument standing quietly against the elements.

For visiting golfers it is a landscape where the sport feels entirely at home, shaped by the same winds that have sculpted the coastline itself. And while a new five-star destination such as The Hawthorn by Galway Bay will undoubtedly attract plenty of attention, golfers drawn to this corner of Ireland will also find a wealth of lesser-known courses worth discovering.

Luxury Five-Star Accommodation and Dining at The Hawthorn by Galway Bay

Developed by Connacht Hospitality Group as part of a wider €60-million project, the hotel aims to complement the golf experience with an ambitious range of luxury facilities.

The property will feature 114 guest rooms, including 47 junior suites and 17 penthouse suites, designed to combine contemporary comfort with understated Irish elegance.

Dining will centre on The Skylark, a live-fire restaurant that celebrates Irish produce, while The Oystercatcher Bar will offer Japanese-inspired cuisine alongside sweeping views across the course and Galway Bay.

Guests will also find a series of intimate spaces designed to create distinctive experiences. These include a dedicated chocolatier known as the Chocolate Nest, a private Whiskey Room and a curated Wine Cellar for tastings and special events.

Spa, Wellness and Outdoor Experiences on the Wild Atlantic Way

Beyond golf, the property places a strong emphasis on wellbeing. The Spa at The Hawthorn has been designed as a restorative retreat offering holistic treatment rooms, contrast-therapy experiences and relaxation spaces that reflect the calm of the surrounding coastline.

Outdoor bathing rituals form part of the spa journey and allow guests to reconnect with the rhythm of the Atlantic environment. The hotel will also offer a range of coastal experiences including walking and running trails, sailing excursions and sea safaris along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Together these experiences aim to immerse visitors in the distinctive character of Ireland’s west coast, a region where culture, landscape and sport are closely intertwined.

A New Luxury Golf Base for Exploring Ireland’s West Coast

With Galway long recognised as one of Ireland’s most vibrant cultural cities but lacking a new luxury golf base in recent years, the arrival of The Hawthorn by Galway Bay fills an important gap.

For golfers planning journeys across Ireland’s west, from the dramatic links of the south-west to the championship layouts of Donegal and Sligo, the hotel promises a compelling new hub.

Fittingly it stands on a course first imagined by one of Ireland’s Ryder Cup heroes, completing a vision that began more than 30 years ago on a windswept stretch of Atlantic coastline.

To discover more about The Hawthorn by Galway Bay and to book, visit: https://www.thehawthornhotel.ie/.

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Ireland’s New €60m Luxury Golf Hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way — Key Details

• Opening May 2026: The Hawthorn by Galway Bay will become Galway’s first new five-star hotel in more than 20 years.
• Championship Golf: A par-72 course designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr stretching over 7,300 yards.
• Luxury Destination: 114 rooms, a spa, signature dining and spectacular views along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.