Around Galway and the Aran Islands it is possible to sample the best of two very different worlds - the bars and backstreets of a small but busy city and the majestic splendour of the rugged coastline.

ST CLERANS
Galway (00 353 91 846 000). A 12-suite hotel in the former home of movie-maker John Huston. The Georgian-style house was restored by TV mogul turned hotelier Merv Griffin to its classic, antique-filled glory. The most unusual room is the octagonal Anjelica Suite where Anjelica used to paint. ££

GREAT SOUTHERN HOTEL
Eyre Square, Galway (00 353 91 564 041; fax: 566 704). Has 106 rooms and the feel of the country hotel. ££

HOTEL SPANISH ARCH
Quay Street, Galway (00 353 91 569 600; fax: 569 191). Has 20 bedrooms and a central location. £

BRENNANS YARD
Lower Merchants Road, Galway (00 353 91 568 166; fax: 568 262). Ideally located with 45 bedrooms. £

DRIMCONG HOUSE
Moycullen (00 353 91 555 115). Just outside the centre of Galway, is Gerry and Marie Galvin's renowned restaurant. Open Tues-Sat between March and November, 7pm-10pm.

MORAN’S OF THE WEIR
If you drive south to the home of the native Clarinbridge oyster, visit Moran's of the Weir at Kilcolgan (00 353 91 796 113), for buttered brown soda bread and Galway Bay oysters. Open daily, midday-10pm.

PADDY BURKE’S
A few miles closer to Galway, in Clarinbridge (00 353 91 796 107). Good for oysters and stout. Open daily, 12.30pm-10pm.

MCDONAGH’S FISH SHOP AND SEAFOOD BAR
22 Quay Street, Galway (00 353 91 565 001). A popular fish-and-chip restaurant.

GOYA’S PASTRY SHOP
Kirwan’s Lane, Galway (00 353 91 567 010). Open Mon-Thurs, 9.30am-5.45pm; Fri/Sat, 9.30am-6pm.

CREATIVE CUISINE
Kirwan's Lane, Galway (00 353 91 568 266). Open Mon-Sat, midday-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm.

THOOR BALLYLEE
One kilometre off the N18 Galway-Limerick road (00 353 9163 1436). A Norman tower bought by Yeats in 1917. Open daily, from Easter to October, 10am-6pm.

ST NICHOLAS COLLEGIATE CHURCH
Lombard Street, Galway. The largest medieval parish church in Ireland, and still in use. It was built in 1320, and Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped here in 1477. Open daily.

ROYAL TARA CHINA VISITOR CENTRE
Tara Hall, Mervue, 3km from Galway (00 353 91 751 301). The leading manufacturer of bone china in Ireland. Free tours are conducted hourly. Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-3.30pm.

NORA BARNACLE MUSEUM
Bowling Green, Galway (00 353 91 564 743). The home of James Joyce’s wife. Open daily, 10am-5pm.

AIRPORT
Knock airport, on the mainland.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK
Ryanair (0541 569 569; www.ryanair.com) flies daily from London Stansted to Knock.

BY BOAT
You can reach the Aran Islands by boat. Contact Island Ferries (00 353 91 561 767; fax: 568 538). To go by plane, call Aer Arann (00 353 91 593 034; fax: 593 238).

Rainfall is high in the west of Ireland, with thunderstorms and bouts of bad weather common during summer. The driest months are in late spring. There are a number of events throughout the year which draw visitors, including the Clarinbridge Oyster Festival in September, the hectic Galway Race in August, a two-week arts festival in July.

Contact Galway Tourist Office on 00 353 91 563 081, fax: 565 201.